2006 Impala SS - Test Drive

[MelvinJ]

I test drove a 2006 Impala SS Saturday, and since I hadn't seen anyone's impressions in GMI yet, I thought I'd give mine. I only drove the car a little over 10 minutes, but it was enlightening.

I stood behind the car while the salesman started it, and all I can say is it sounds great. Exactly the right exhaust note for a sedan like this, with a very deep, not-too-loud, unmistakenly V8 sound.

Getting in, I was pleased with the appearance of the new Impala's interior. Fit and finish seemed excellent. The one I drove was silver on the outside with optional gray leather inside. The gauges looked good and were easy to read.

On the road, the 5.3L V8 felt great. Of course, there was effortless torque - almost too effortless. It seemed that anything around 1/4 throttle from a standstill would chirp the tires. For this reason (not wanting to draw too much attention), I didn't do any full-throttle-from-standstill starts, but even at less than full-throttle, the car is deceptively quick. A glance at the speedometer usually caused my right foot to lift because I was going far faster than I thought I'd be. Exhaust noise was present behind my shoulders when I was accelerating, but almost no noise came from under the hood, and when cruising, everything was pretty quiet. The big 18-inch tires do transmit some road noise, but it's certainly not objectionable.

I found the setting on the trip computer that showed whether the car was in 8 or 4-cylinder mode. It was otherwise impossible to tell. On the freeway, there was some fluttering of the tach needle between 1700 and 1900 RPMs while I was accelerating gently behind another car. I'm not sure what was going on there, but it could be some indecision between the TCC and the DoD. I couldn't really feel it, but watching the tach, it was noticable.

It seemed to me that the RPMs are kept a bit higher in normal driving that I see with my 3800 Intrigue, which was kind of surprising.

The driver's seat had very little lateral support, and the car is large enough that the console and the door panel don't help much to keep you in place.

Steering feel was good from what I recall, but I didn't get to test it through some twisties. What was most surprising of all was the lack of torque steer. Even when spinning the front tires, I didn't feel any pulling. I feel more torque steer in my Intrigue. They seem to have done a good job dealing with that in the updated chassis, although if somebody is doing burn-outs with the traction control disabled, I'm sure there will be some unwanted pulling. I don't drive that way, so I didn't test drive it that way.

The SS's mileage is rated at 18 city and 28 highway, which I think is great for a car of this size and power. The dealer also had a 3.9 LT, which was rated at 19/27, so really, it's the same average as the SS V8. The base LS/LT 211 hp 3.5 V6 Impala has 21/31 ratings.

BTW, even the base Impala LS looks good on the inside, bench seat and all. I happen to like the looks on the outside, although I know there are a lot of people that feel it's too bland. The base wheel covers are none too exciting, I'll grant you that. The Impala LS had a sticker of $21,990, which I thought was a great deal, and shouldn't need nearly as many incentives as the old Impala's pricing structure did. That included power windows and lock, CD, cruise control, and a split bench seat with storage armrest. A tach is standard this year too. Previous base Impala's didn't have one.

I didn't check out the back seat, although it looks pretty roomy. I did look at the trunk, and it's huge. Under the hood, the V8 installation is surprisingly clean and uncluttered, as cars today go. There isn't much room to work around the accessory drive belt, but other than that, it doesn't look much harder to work on than my 3800.

The SS I drove had the optional leather interior, sunroof, Bose, XM, polished 18 in. wheels, and a convenience package with Homelink, and listed for $31,120, and should have an employee price of $27680.

[atomicshark]

Thanks for the great review.
Is the gray interior a darker gray, almost graphite?
I am sick of the light gray and beige interiors I have been seeing lately.

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by atomicshark

Thanks for the great review.
Is the gray interior a darker gray, almost graphite?
I am sick of the light gray and beige interiors I have been seeing lately.

Thanks.

Sorry, this one was light gray, although weren't there pictures from the original release showing the SS interior in a graphite or even black color?

[IAMCANADIAN]

Great review, I'm dying to test drive the Grand Prix GXP

[surferdude00711]

The SS has DOD? I didn't know that. Any other 06's with that other than the Envoy and clones?

[IAMCANADIAN]

the 9-7x will get it in 2006 in the 5.3L V8

[big swede]

For $27680 it's a great choice but for $31,120 you would have to be a loon and more scared to drive in the snow than my grandma, too much quality RWD competition at that elevated price.

I wish they would aggressively price the Impalla/Monte/GP because a lot more people would probably give them a try and realize what good cars they are. I'm sure it wouldn't be that tough because the 5.3 is probably cheaper to produce than the previous 3.8+ supercharger and not much other expensive content was added.

[paul8488]

I saw two the other day at the dealer, and like the fact that, while they aren't huge, there are a few differences between the models. And the car impresses in person much more than in pictures. It's not ground breaking, but the new Chevy front end looks very good.

[giagastormer]

$31k isn't all that bad, considering all that you are getting. Only $22k for the LS?! That is awesome!

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

$31k isn't all that bad, considering all that you are getting. Only $22k for the LS?! That is awesome!

It's pretty good. The LS starts at $21,990 (only option is ABS). Together with the REBATE that's ALREADY available, that goes down to $20,990--which is more appropriate.

[AdmiralViscen]

I hear the rebate ends when the Employee Discount program ends, that it's only purpose was to give people another reason to buy an '06 over a heavily discounted '05.

Either way, I don't see what's wrong with charging 1500 dollars more than a base (V6) G6. It's a lot of car.

[IAMCANADIAN]

in canada, it's less than a GP GXP so that's not bad, the GP is more a luxury/performance car than the Impala, but still it's cheaper than a RWD 300 C so that will attract people, most people prefer FWD for rain/snow traction anyway, and yes some RWD are good in the snow, but most aren't, especially sports cars so that turns a lot of people off, unless you live in California, then who cares

[wpbharry]

According to a cover story in today's The Detroit News, GM is about to cut base G6 pricing by $3,000.

I enjoyed this review, but found it ironic that the main weak point of the new Impala, in all likelihood, not considering the high pricing of the upper-level models, is the rear seating. Looks almost hideous from pics (thin cushions to accomodate the flip-and-fold and to allow a flat seatback when down). The seating position in back looks very uncomfortable. I'll keep quiet about this now until someone actually sits in one. Wonder if the car mags will have tests of the Impala in the Sept. issues? Oct. is my guess.

[atomicshark]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

Thanks.

Sorry, this one was light gray, although weren't there pictures from the original release showing the SS interior in a graphite or even black color?

I think so, but it would be good to offer a dark gray or black in the lower models too. Why should people get penalized for buying an LS or LT?

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by surferdude00711

The SS has DOD? I didn't know that. Any other 06's with that other than the Envoy and clones?

Of course the Grand Prix GXP with the same LS4 as the Impala also has DoD.