Impala LTZ Review: "Almost nothing but positives in my notebook"

[Ming]

Impala takes a big leap
With makeover, Chevrolet brings iconic American sedan to next level.
By Pete Szilagyi
THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Saturday, July 22, 2006



The Chevrolet Impala has returned, big time, after years of uninspired design and performance.

To be sure, Impalas by the hundreds of thousands moved off dealer lots over the past decade (many to rental car companies), but the cars did little to honor the Impala's status as an iconic American car.

The made-over Impala, introduced as an '06 model, will soon be at dealers in an even fresher '07 trim. Now almost as mainstream technically as top-line Japanese competitors, such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the Impala is a package that traditional domestic sedan buyers will love and cynics will have to at least respect.

I came away from a week in a blue Impala LTZ with almost nothing but positives in my notebook. An exception was my impression that the Impala's cabin seemed crowded for a car just 4 inches shorter than Cadillac's big DTS sedan and 11 inches longer than the Camry. Other Impala demerits: Side view mirrors are too small, and steering felt vague at highway speeds.



Shoppers with an eye for design will deem the Impala pleasing and contemporary though not daring, with paint and trim that's a tad too glossy. Those with calculators will conclude that the $21,000 to $29,000-ish price range is a value after dealers subtract the discounts.

Except for some interior trim, nothing about the Impala seems cheap or chintzy, and General Motors cars have a fairly laudable reliability record of late.

The Impala SS with 5.3-liter V-8 and 303 horsepower tops the line with 18-inch wheels and tires, a rear spoiler and dual exhaust for a nod to the NASCAR set.

My LTZ test model, a notch lower in price and power, had GM's 3.9-liter, 242-horsepower V-6, well-endowed with torque at middle engine speeds where it's needed for comfortable urban driving. Standard in Impala LS and LT is a 3.5-liter V-6, with 211 horsepower.

For 2007, the 3.9-liter engine will use Active Cylinder Management, which shuts down half the cylinders in easy driving to save fuel. Only the base 3.5-liter engine has E-85 fuel capability.

The test LTZ was nimbler and quicker than I expected, without the floaty, too-soft suspension feel of the previous Impala. Handling and maneuverability were competent for a large family sedan. Braking was unremarkable but effective.

Most other cars in this class use 5- or 6-speed automatics; the Impala has just four speeds, though it functions well, and the 3.9's fuel estimates are decent (though they are possibly not achievable).



Except for less rear seat legroom than expected, the Impala was comfortable and inviting, with pretty leather seats, easy-to-use controls and more attractive cabin materials and design than any Impala in recent history. Unlike other sedans, the rear seat flips and folds for cargo-loading flexibility.

Source: http://www.statesman.com/life/conten...2szilagyi.html

[mikehamm45]

If I am allowed to be picky...

1. GM has been improving interior design. Its just that the plastics on the doors and the fabric of the carpet and ceilings still feels cheap.

2. Really hate that steering wheel. Just comes off as rather old and boat-like.

3. While smooth, durable, and no real issues. The four-speed auto is hopefully on its last legs.

4. The high-rounded roof design is boring, so are the front head-lights and grill. Then again, this is the segment. But while the Accord and Camry are bland, they still appear younger and more aggressive than the Impala.

5. As a positive, I really like the look and feel of that corporate radio. Its much better than the ones in Toyotas and Hondas.

6. Toyota interiors are perhaps the most overated interiors ever.

[Butz]

The Impala is a nice car but certainely not a segment leader, there are a lot of things where it falls behind, I prefer the GP.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Butz

The Impala is a nice car but certainely not a segment leader, there are a lot of things where it falls behind, I prefer the GP.

I prefer the GXP to the SS, but the obsolete 3800 has to go in the lower trim models. At least the Impala's engines have been revised and improved within the last 5 years. The 3800 naturally aspirated has seen no real improvements since my 2000 Bonneville (althought the supercharged one did get a boost), aside from some lame emissions stuff.

The Impala base model has over the GP:

1. E-85 capability
2. VVT enhanced (first cam-in-block VVT application in the industry) 211hp 3.5L engine (224 in 2007?) - much less rough running than the old 3800, revs better, has had a host of improvements to enhance reliability over its old 3400 ancestor.
3. A less awkward looking dash
4. Flip & fold rear seats (what convinced me not to get a wagon instead)
5. Bench seat option (never saw this but it might be available on the GP)
6. Sharper, less 1990's funky pontiac rear end
7. More modern - less swoopy 1990's looking profile.
8. More volume Chevy discounts - usually better "deals"
9. Whatever other enhancements happened under the hood - like throttle-by-wire, improved handling geometry, air bags -- all of the stuff that happened to the W-body between the release of the redesigned Grand Prix and the 2006 Impala. (Don't have a list)

Both have grilles that don't fully satisfy me - the Impalas is a bit too bland, and the Grand Prix non-GXP grille looks like a Chipmunk (the GXP chrome rings soften out the buck-tooth look). I think the Monte Carlo air dam looks much nicer than the stock Impala one.

[ByTheLake]

I haven't driven a 2007 Impala, but the 2006 Impala that I spent several months with was no fun at all.

From the pic in this thread, the interior is still truly horrid. The fake wood looks out of place in this car. The '06 I drove had terribly numb handling. I'm convinced GM has no clue what handling truly means.

There's no excuse for the Impala's styling. Oh, many folks out here will argue about how its 'inoffensive' or 'supposed to be plain', but it looks like a 1998 Lumina.

I expect a class-leading vehicle from GM, in every respect ... styling, technology, end efficiency. The industry leader should be continually sending its competition back to the drawing board. Instead, I think the competition is giggling at the Impala.

Sorry if I sound upset, but darnit, I want GM to take some serious strides! Come on, GM ... lead dammit lead!

[Nelson Kyle K]

I think that new Impala is a nice car, but it certainly not as cutting edge car like the Dodge Charger or the Chrysler 300. I feel that it's another car that is getting lost in the shuffle out on the street.

[jwrebholz]

If someone dropped an LTZ Impala in my driveway and left me the keys, I'd take it and probably enjoy it. Would I buy one? ...I dunno.

[mike's 01ws6]

Originally Posted by Ming

Both have grilles that don't fully satisfy me - the Impalas is a bit too bland, and the Grand Prix non-GXP grille looks like a Chipmunk (the GXP chrome rings soften out the buck-tooth look). I think the Monte Carlo air dam looks much nicer than the stock Impala one.

I always thought Pontiac grills look like a camel toe. I just picked up an 06 Impala SS and and it has an advantage in every area over the GXP except for suspension, but I will be putting the struts, springs and bars off the GXP on my impala pretty soon. The GXP has larger brakes that are cross drilled but from what I have seen the Impala stops better even though the SS weighs more.

[stick076]

Originally Posted by Nelson Kyle K

I think that new Impala is a nice car, but it certainly not as cutting edge car like the Dodge Charger or the Chrysler 300. I feel that it's another car that is getting lost in the shuffle out on the street.

Have you ever drove or even ridden in a Charger? Great car on the outside but the inside is absolutely terrible.

[63GrandSport001]

I liked the Impala that I drove, a 06 with the 3900.

I guess that some people's complaint is that the Impala isnt exciting enough, its a no thrills people mover and it does that extremely well.

If Im buying a V-6 Id go with the Impala 3900 but if I were to buy the top of the line then I would pick the GP GXP.

GM please hurry up and replace the 4 speed autos with 6 speed autos.

[Nelson Kyle K]

Originally Posted by stick076

Have you ever drove or even ridden in a Charger? Great car on the outside but the inside is absolutely terrible.

Yes I have Driven both the Impala, Charger and 300 all model's!

[b4z]

How about the thinner sheetmetal on the '06 and later cars and
I don't understand why the backseat is so small.
Afterall this is a 200" long vehicle.

[give_it_all_]

Originally Posted by stick076

Have you ever drove or even ridden in a Charger? Great car on the outside but the inside is absolutely terrible.

Aren't they redesigning the interior for 07 or 08???

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I haven't driven a 2007 Impala, but the 2006 Impala that I spent several months with was no fun at all.

From the pic in this thread, the interior is still truly horrid. The fake wood looks out of place in this car. The '06 I drove had terribly numb handling. I'm convinced GM has no clue what handling truly means.

There's no excuse for the Impala's styling. Oh, many folks out here will argue about how its 'inoffensive' or 'supposed to be plain', but it looks like a 1998 Lumina.

I expect a class-leading vehicle from GM, in every respect ... styling, technology, end efficiency. The industry leader should be continually sending its competition back to the drawing board. Instead, I think the competition is giggling at the Impala.

Sorry if I sound upset, but darnit, I want GM to take some serious strides! Come on, GM ... lead dammit lead!

1. Whose brother in law has the fake wood contract? Why must makers put in such tacky, obviously-phony junk?
2. The handling complaints surface every year in most magazine tests. Perhaps GM has no clue...oh, you said that!
3. "Styling?" Excuse my but I MUST write MT about a new annual contest: Unmarked cop car of the year, UCCY. Impala is right up there with the 500 and Lacrost in the running for the FBI contract.
4. WHEN WHEN WHEN will a GM family sedan win or even come close to winning a mag comparo?
5. Lead? Leadership?

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by mikehamm45

If I am allowed to be picky...

1. GM has been improving interior design. Its just that the plastics on the doors and the fabric of the carpet and ceilings still feels cheap.

2. Really hate that steering wheel. Just comes off as rather old and boat-like.

3. While smooth, durable, and no real issues. The four-speed auto is hopefully on its last legs.

4. The high-rounded roof design is boring, so are the front head-lights and grill. Then again, this is the segment. But while the Accord and Camry are bland, they still appear younger and more aggressive than the Impala.

5. As a positive, I really like the look and feel of that corporate radio. Its much better than the ones in Toyotas and Hondas.

6. Toyota interiors are perhaps the most overated interiors ever.

I'd add to that list that when sitting in the passenger seat (on the cars with a split bench seat), the passenger seat is very low and can't be raised.

Besides that, I think the Impala, especially in base form...is one of the best cars available for the money.