Overview & Reviews

When Chevrolet sent the first Impala off the assembly line in 1958, it was meant to be "a prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." It would seem that the company was successful; six decades on, the Chevrolet Impala has become one of America's most well-known nameplates.

Since the new millennium, the modern Impala has served as Chevrolet's main full-size sedan. While "prestige car" isn't really an apt descriptor anymore, the Impala has offered a roomy interior (with available six-passenger seating) along with strong and increasingly fuel-efficient engines. In our opinion, older, used Impalas from this time period aren't likely going to be the best choice for a large sedan, as they suffer from substandard interior quality and forgettable driving dynamics. But the newest Impala, thanks to its many improvements, is certainly worth considering.

Current Chevrolet Impala
Today's five-passenger Impala starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 195 horsepower 187 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-liter V6 makes 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Also offered is the mild hybrid Eco model with an "eAssist" powertrain that combines a 182-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a small 15-hp electric motor, providing the best fuel economy of the Impala lineup.

The Impala features LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard feature highlights for the LS include a power-adjustable driver seat, full power accessories, Bluetooth, USB/iPod connectivity and a color display. The LT adds alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control and the MyLink infotainment interface with an 8-inch touchscreen display. Most LT options are bundled into packages and include such items as a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry and extra safety features. The LTZ gets these items as standard, along with leather upholstery. Other options, depending on trim level, include navigation, premium audio, 20-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control and ventilated front seats.

In reviews and ratings, we've concluded that the latest Chevrolet Impala distinguishes itself from other large sedans with sharp styling and a capacious trunk, though it loses points for some flimsy interior plastics, a fussy MyLink interface and middling fuel economy figures. Overall, though, the current Impala is fully worthy of your consideration if you're shopping for a large sedan.

Used Chevrolet Impala Models
The current Chevrolet Impala represents the nameplate's 10th generation, which was introduced in the 2014 model year. Mechanically, it's related to the latest Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XTS. Compared to the previous Impala, the latest generation is more stylish, with bigger curves, bolder lines and a bit more length. Inside, there's a modern design, higher-quality materials and up-to-date electronics.

The previous, ninth-generation Chevrolet Impala was produced for the 2006-'13 model years. Improvements on this model compared to the previous-generation Impala included new engines, more composed handling, a higher-quality interior and updated styling. Even so, we generally regarded this Impala as pretty forgettable and outclassed by any of its contemporaries.

Impalas of this generation were offered in three main trim levels: entry-level LS, midgrade LT and range-topping LTZ. From 2006-'09, there was also an Impala SS.

Typical features for the LS models included 16-inch wheels, a front bench seat, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel, a power driver seat, a single-CD audio system with an MP3 jack, and keyless entry. Moving up to the LT model added alloy wheels and a few more features, while the LTZ included 17-inch (later 18-inch) alloys, heated leather seats and a Bose audio system. The SS came with monochromatic exterior paint, a performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. LS and LT models could be optioned with a front bench seat, which increased passenger capacity to six.

Until 2012, the LS and LT came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 211 hp. Standard on the LTZ of the same period was a 3.9-liter V6 good for 230 hp. All of these Chevy Impalas came with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Chevy Impala SS model of this period had a 303-hp 5.3-liter V8 and the four-speed auto. For 2012 and 2013, all Impalas received a new 300-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine yielded quicker acceleration and better fuel economy to boot.

In reviews at the time, we found that the ninth-generation Impala provided a number of big-sedan perks, including a smooth ride, quiet interior, seating for six, decent crash test ratings and a generously sized trunk. The problem was that the Impala didn't excel in any of these areas and was generally hamstrung by underwhelming performance, bland styling, cheap-looking interior materials and a lack of feature availability. Contemporaries like the Dodge Charger, Hyundai Azera or Toyota Avalon make for better used choices.

The eighth-generation Impala was offered from 2000-'05, marking the resurrection of the Impala as a mainstream offering. There were only minimal changes during its production run. Its basic dimensions are very similar to those of its successor, but it was even less competitive in its class. For this generation, there were two main trim levels -- base and LS. In 2004, Chevy added the SS trim.

The base model was powered by a 3.4-liter V6 engine that produced 180 hp. Stepping up to LS trim got you a 200-hp, 3.8-liter V6. The SS had a supercharged version of the 3.8-liter V6 making 240 hp. Though popular in terms of sales, this Impala did not fare well in reviews conducted by Edmunds.com editors. Noted downsides included bland interior and exterior design, vague steering and a soggy suspension on base and LS models.

Prior to this, there was a short-lived Chevrolet Impala SS. Offered from 1994-'96, it was based on the rear-drive Caprice. The SS featured a 260-hp, 5.7-liter V8 derived from the Corvette, large 17-inch wheels and tires, a sport tuned suspension, a monochromatic exterior (black only in its first year) and many hardware upgrades normally fitted to law enforcement vehicles. Today, the ‘90s Impala SS's have taken on a "collectible" quality.

There are also plenty of Impalas left from earlier decades. Those early Impalas were often America's most popular car, and they still hold significance today. Throughout the 1960s, the Chevy Impala dominated the sales charts, culminating in 1965 when more than 1 million were sold. Though the popularity of smaller, midsize muscle cars slowly ate away at sales of the Impala, it continued to sell in big numbers, registering as the best-selling car in America in 1973. The Impala nameplate languished in the early 1980s, eventually getting dropped in 1986 in favor of the Caprice designation.

User Reviews:

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  Great car...few minor issues - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daddy to my kids - December 21 - 3:56 pm

  Love the car. Had it for 800 miles now. Avg. mileage (65% city 35% highway) has been 28.7 mpg, better than advertised. The car is quiet and comfortable, although some wind noise around front doors is present on highway. I wanted seating for 6, although the front middle seat is not usable for much more than short hops. Trunk is huge, easily swallowing our stroller, other bags, groceries and more. I have a "knocking" noise when going over certain bumps similar to a loose tie rod. Will have dealer look at it. Brakes pulsed when new, dealer turned the rotors stating rust needed to be removed as the car had been on their lot a while. Still, Im glad I got the car.

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  Excellent family car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By kristine - December 21 - 3:07 am

  I believe that this car is the best model out there. We have an infant and this car has everything we could want out of a family car. Security, room, and style. We would give this car an overall rating of 10 out of 10.

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  My Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ronnie Childress - December 20 - 10:55 pm

  Love IT! I had always wanted one and after looking at and driving the Impala, I knew it was the car for me. I dont know of anything about this car I dont like. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a new car.

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  Needs a V-8 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By dz28 - December 20 - 8:13 pm

  Glad to see the Impala back. Very nice driving, handling, responsive car. Fun to tour around in. Looks nice.

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  Second Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By charlied - December 12 - 9:44 pm

  This is the second Impala I have owned. The other was a 2001. Needs redesign but this has been an excellent value. I used my GM card rebate to save $2,200 after I made the deal. (You must not carry a monthly balance on your card to save any money). Looking forward to my third. The first Impala had a leaking seal on the front after 10,000 miles. The current Impala has 12,000 miles and has not been back to the dealer except for oil changes

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  Just off the lot and havig fun - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bill Brennum - December 6 - 7:46 pm

  Good car with nice standard features for a decent price and mileage for a large room car. It looks small on the outside, but feels big on the inside. Love the dual climate control feature.

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  Why did GM stop?? - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By mshuffler - November 29 - 7:42 pm

  Great car! Big, comfortable, and plenty of power. 112K and counting with no problems. Easty to work on.

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  You get what you pay for - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By e humphrey - November 29 - 12:50 am

  I have almost 49000 miles on my Chevrolet .The steering has had excessive work required, both struts have been replaced some sort of drag link has been replaced two times.The electrical system is a joke, the fuel gauge works part time,other indicators are unreliable.The transmission is noisy and slams in when shifting down.

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  Good Car, But Needs Refinement - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Summerwinds - November 26 - 6:50 pm

  I have owned this Impala 3LT for about a month. Overall, the quality and performance is quite satisfactory. I am impressed with the quietness of the interior and the power of the 3.9 V6. The vehicle is smooth and stable on the highway. However, I do have some suggestions for improvements. The floor mounted shifted needs a gear indicator. The front bucket seats need more lateral support/bolstering. The dashboard section containing the gauges is bland...where are the ammeter and oil pressure gauges like the Mercury Gran Marquis has? Is a tachometer really necessary in this car? The DIC should be separate from the speedometer. Why is there no key- operated lock on the glovebox?

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  96 Impala SS - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By billpilot - November 23 - 4:43 am

  Still, to this day in 11/04, I have not found a 4 door sports car for 3-4 times the money that can out-perform my SS. A few minor glitches were fixed under warranty: Odometer,head gaskets & exhaust manifolds, a couple of times. The factory cooling fan settings do not "kick on" until temperature reaches about 220 so a hypertech programmer will turn on fans sooner. I have got 26 MPG on highway with a/c. Usually its about half that yet worth it!