Chevrolet's full-size, front-drive sedan is tested here in LS guise with a 3.5 liter 24-valve V-6 and 4-speed automatic. This is the base car bought by rental fleets but perfectly suitable for buyers seeking traditional size minus the frills of luxury models. It is reasonably well-equipped and nicely priced at a starting tab of $21,630. Safety features include front airbags and head-curtain side-impact airbags plus GM's proven OnStar system that brings aid in a breakdown or accident while also providing useful advice and destination guidance. EPA mpg: 21 city/ 31 highway.
First Glance: Philips rents a time machine
Larger exterior photos: Front profile rear
Is the full-size sedan becoming a dinosaur? Frankly I think it is because today's tall cars - now called crossovers - provide more interior space and greater versatility in a compact package with a smaller footprint. And that's good for Mother Earth. But the old fossil isn't going to go away quickly because there are still buyers sentimentally attached to traditional 3-box shapes. For them, for long-time Chevy fans, the Impala offers a bland if modestly elegant trip to the past.
We at About know some of our readers fit into that category. And we're not here to criticise their tastes, merely to rate the Impala within its own class. Regretably, GM did not have an Impala in its Los Angeles media pool so Aaron asked me to check with GM Canada's people on the west coast. Same discouraging result. Then I happened to note that National Rent-A-Car had several in its fleet and since I live across the highway from Victoria International Airport it was a simple matter to walk over and rent one. Hey... we'll always go the extra mile (1/2 mile, actually) for our faithful readers!
Naturally, this resulted in me test driving a base LS sedan with no extras. Yet I wasn't dismayed; after all, most people buy the affordable models, optioned with those items they feel meet their personal needs. And rentals tend to be abused by customers, thus giving me a chance to drive an Impala that didn't look like it had just come from the detailers. And never would, as it rained throughout my test.
Continued below...In the Driver's Seat: Love the controls, hate the seat
Impalas are easy to access and with the welcome simplicity of its no-frills controls I was soon on my way -- in a seat, though comfortable, that absolutely confounded me. Chevrolet refers to it as "40/20/40 bucket" but in reality it's an old-fashioned bench. Aside from making all three passengers uncomfortable this anachronism is downright dangerous because in an emergency the person in the middle hampers the driver's ability to steer the car. Worse, if the car changes direction suddenly, either by intent or collision, said passenger may be thrown against the driver, causing him or her to lose control. Folks, do not under any circumstances order your Impala with this seat.
Fortunately I was alone and could lower the armrest to gain some support. An armrest that contained two compartments; one for the usual CD's and various paraphenalia, the other to access a pair of cupholders (link goes to photo). Shame on National Car Rental for not cleaning them properly, ditto the glove compartment and trunk. (On the other hand I was treated with great courtesy as the company went out of its way to provide an Impala at the right time and place.) Much more pleasing was the layout of primary controls. Chevrolet (like Honda) has long made it a policy that interiors must place driver needs ahead of designer flair, so that every instrument, every switch, can be quickly found in semi-dark conditions. I can personally attest to this, having observed product checks in GM's engineering center.
On the Road: Better than expected
My reactions to the Impala's road performance were mixed. It was superbly quiet and handled with far more security than I'd anticipated. The so-called "Touring" suspension lived up to its name with a relatively flat stance through corners while nicely smothering bumps. Not that Impala buyers dream of lapping the Nurburgring but isn't it nice to know you can have a little fun when the kids are off to school? Or the security of a car that responds well in an emergency?
Impala prospects will note that three engine options are available, including a V-8. My rental car came with the 211 horsepower 3.5 liter 4-cam V-6. Scooting along an airport peripheral road I hammered the throttle and was rewarded with a rush of acceleration through the 4-speed Hydramatic, enough to convince me that if I was buying an Impala I'd save money by ordering my car with this engine. Yes, I'm tempted to critique the transmission for not having five speeds and yet GM is the absolute master of efficient, smooth-shifting automatics. So smooth, in fact, that gear changes were imperceptible.
But that brings me to another major beef. The gear lever is mounted on the steering column (is this 1964, for goodness sake?) and the handbrake is a foot brake. All because of that absurd front bench seat, making it impossible to fully enjoy driving the Impala, a car that otherwise was beginning to win me over. By the way, this engine can run on gasoline or E85 ethanol or a combination of both.Journey's End: Big, quiet and comfortable - would if it had a bit more character
Having declared the Impala a "fossil" you might think I didn't enjoy driving it. Not so. After all, I'm a fossil myself. Truth is, I found the Impala to be a friendly sedan that became more comfortable with every lap of CYYJ's quiet roads. I'm only sad that Chevrolet didn't embue it with a little more character. Up against Ford's 500 it seems sleek but not quite elegant. Up against Chrysler's 300... don't ask. I'm not a fan of Chrysler's big box. Up against the Toyota Avalon it is less refined but more attractive.
On the "plus" side, the Impala is one of the quietest cars I've ever driven. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) was almost totally conquered. Performance from the 3500 V-6 was all I could ask. Handling was an unexpected pleasure. No passengers complained about headroom, legroom, or ease of access. The trunk is huge. It was one of those rare cars where I could snuggle into the seat and drive as if I were with an old friend; I suspect this was Chevrolet's intent and possibly one reason why rental car companies prefer it.
Unfortunately that anachronistic bench seat, column shifter and emergency foot brake turned me off. I didn't like that antilock brakes are an option; they should be standard. The windshield pillars are so large that an Impala owner must be extra careful when cornering in the city. Still, driving the Impala was like meeting an old girlfriend: a hug and a kiss and a few nostalgic memories then we're gone. Until the next time, my dear. -- Philip Powell
Next page: Pros, cons, who should buy it, specs, best rivals
