Five decades of Impala
HALIBURTON, On – Chevrolet's Impala has weathered a lot of changes since it first debuted in 1958. After nine generations, one of the most venerable nameplates in Chevy's history has languished in rental-car mediocrity for the past few decades.
The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala returns with a fresh new look aimed at regaining some of that former glory.
A bold, contemporary design
I was surprised by my first impression of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala Since I’d not seen any of its recent unveilings, I vaguely expected a reworked version of the snub-nosed Malibu.
However, the new Impala (now in its 10th generation) features a stylish exterior replete with sharp creases and hints of BMW 7 Series/Jaguar XF in its crisp outline.
It makes a bold, dramatic statement establishing a large presence that belies its only marginal size increase. Best of all, it faces the world with a sharply defined front fascia that's a nice departure from its lesser stable mate’s rather bland and boring snout (that practically screams: "Rent me!").
Plenty of chrome accentuates the dramatically scooped side character lines, the swoopy c-pillar and the distinctive 20” multi-spoke wheels on my range-topping LTZ model.
Chevrolet predicts the mid-range LT model will be the volume seller and make up 75% of sales. The entry-level LS should constitute 20%, and only 5% of buyers will opt for the top-level LTZ.
Attractive, well-executed interior
The dual-cockpit interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is leaps and bounds ahead of the dreary cabin it replaces. Contrasting tones of grey soft-touch material and stitched tan leather adorn the space inside my navy tester -- leather topping the dash flows around to embrace occupants and continues across the door panels. The centre stack slopes downward, neatly bisecting the cabin, finishing in an armrest generously upholstered in padded leather.
The interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is a striking space, and while it doesn't quite boast Audi-level craftsmanship, it's attractive, comfortable, and well-executed. Seats are plump and well bolstered with plenty of legroom fore and aft.
In addition to the 8” touchscreen, there's a smaller information screen between the gauges that's great for relaying quick directional info without tearing your eyes too far from the road.
Full roster of technology and safety systems
The 2013 Chevrolet Impala boasts a full complement of technology, including the newest generation MyLink infotainment system. Voice activation is used for navigation programming, dialling numbers and/or looking up a song. Push a button and the centre display rises to reveal a secret cubby for valuables and can be locked away by entering a valet setting code. Pairing my Blackberry to the Bluetooth system was a simple exercise that required no pin number, nor did I have to repeat the process each time the car was started.
There's also a phalanx of safety systems: An optional adaptive cruise control uses radar technology to gauge traffic ahead then adjusts the 2014 Impala's speed accordingly or brings the vehicle to a full stop, if necessary. Collision Mitigation Braking is also present, issuing a warning and, if necessary, applying the brakes to avoid a collision.
“Quietest Chevrolet ever"
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala makes an admirable highway cruiser, soundlessly devouring mile after mile. It rides on the new Global Epsilon chassis. It's immediately apparent that plenty of attention went into making the ride as quiet as possible. The stiffened structure features reinforced front strut towers and tuned shock rebound settings up front. The use of hydraulic suspension bushings absorbs any pavement imperfections.
There are several noise-reducing measures used in the 2013 Chevrolet Impala, including laminated glass and acoustic foam between body panels and in all hollow cavities. Time in the wind tunnel resulted in an aerodynamically quiet roofline, mirrors and taillights, and a reduction in drag by 14%.
Although lesser models come with a 2.4L 4-cylinder (182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque), my tester featured a 3.6L V6 with 303 hp/264 lb-ft mated to a 6-speed autobox. This engine is rated at 11.1L/100km city and 6.9L highway. Over several hundred kilometres of twisty roads with plenty of elevation changes, I averaged 10.3L/100km.
Luxury at half the cost
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala makes no pretense of sportiness. Instead, it excels at being a creamy, smooth road cruiser: just the ticket to lure in mature buyers who want a well-executed, luxurious car without having to pay tens of thousands more for a German sedan.
Manufactured in Detroit -- and at the Oshawa, Ontario plant -- the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is now available at Canadian dealerships.
HALIBURTON, On – Chevrolet's Impala has weathered a lot of changes since it first debuted in 1958. After nine generations, one of the most venerable nameplates in Chevy's history has languished in rental-car mediocrity for the past few decades.
The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala returns with a fresh new look aimed at regaining some of that former glory.
A bold, contemporary design
I was surprised by my first impression of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala Since I’d not seen any of its recent unveilings, I vaguely expected a reworked version of the snub-nosed Malibu.
However, the new Impala (now in its 10th generation) features a stylish exterior replete with sharp creases and hints of BMW 7 Series/Jaguar XF in its crisp outline.
It makes a bold, dramatic statement establishing a large presence that belies its only marginal size increase. Best of all, it faces the world with a sharply defined front fascia that's a nice departure from its lesser stable mate’s rather bland and boring snout (that practically screams: "Rent me!").
Plenty of chrome accentuates the dramatically scooped side character lines, the swoopy c-pillar and the distinctive 20” multi-spoke wheels on my range-topping LTZ model.
Chevrolet predicts the mid-range LT model will be the volume seller and make up 75% of sales. The entry-level LS should constitute 20%, and only 5% of buyers will opt for the top-level LTZ.
Attractive, well-executed interior
The dual-cockpit interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is leaps and bounds ahead of the dreary cabin it replaces. Contrasting tones of grey soft-touch material and stitched tan leather adorn the space inside my navy tester -- leather topping the dash flows around to embrace occupants and continues across the door panels. The centre stack slopes downward, neatly bisecting the cabin, finishing in an armrest generously upholstered in padded leather.
The interior of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is a striking space, and while it doesn't quite boast Audi-level craftsmanship, it's attractive, comfortable, and well-executed. Seats are plump and well bolstered with plenty of legroom fore and aft.
In addition to the 8” touchscreen, there's a smaller information screen between the gauges that's great for relaying quick directional info without tearing your eyes too far from the road.
Full roster of technology and safety systems
The 2013 Chevrolet Impala boasts a full complement of technology, including the newest generation MyLink infotainment system. Voice activation is used for navigation programming, dialling numbers and/or looking up a song. Push a button and the centre display rises to reveal a secret cubby for valuables and can be locked away by entering a valet setting code. Pairing my Blackberry to the Bluetooth system was a simple exercise that required no pin number, nor did I have to repeat the process each time the car was started.
There's also a phalanx of safety systems: An optional adaptive cruise control uses radar technology to gauge traffic ahead then adjusts the 2014 Impala's speed accordingly or brings the vehicle to a full stop, if necessary. Collision Mitigation Braking is also present, issuing a warning and, if necessary, applying the brakes to avoid a collision.
“Quietest Chevrolet ever"
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala makes an admirable highway cruiser, soundlessly devouring mile after mile. It rides on the new Global Epsilon chassis. It's immediately apparent that plenty of attention went into making the ride as quiet as possible. The stiffened structure features reinforced front strut towers and tuned shock rebound settings up front. The use of hydraulic suspension bushings absorbs any pavement imperfections.
There are several noise-reducing measures used in the 2013 Chevrolet Impala, including laminated glass and acoustic foam between body panels and in all hollow cavities. Time in the wind tunnel resulted in an aerodynamically quiet roofline, mirrors and taillights, and a reduction in drag by 14%.
Although lesser models come with a 2.4L 4-cylinder (182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque), my tester featured a 3.6L V6 with 303 hp/264 lb-ft mated to a 6-speed autobox. This engine is rated at 11.1L/100km city and 6.9L highway. Over several hundred kilometres of twisty roads with plenty of elevation changes, I averaged 10.3L/100km.
Luxury at half the cost
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala makes no pretense of sportiness. Instead, it excels at being a creamy, smooth road cruiser: just the ticket to lure in mature buyers who want a well-executed, luxurious car without having to pay tens of thousands more for a German sedan.
Manufactured in Detroit -- and at the Oshawa, Ontario plant -- the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is now available at Canadian dealerships.
Article Gallery