Continuing to hail as one of the absolute most popular cars in the world, this year's Chevy Impala has a long history, dating back to 1958. A V6 engine is now available in the base model, and the many different features it has were revamped quite a bit four years ago for the 2014 version. This is when the 2017 Impala LT was given the amenity of leather seats, and the Impala Premier and LT trim levels saw Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The 2014 refresh truly allowed the Impala to resurrect itself, escaping pre-existing confines that were a bit dreary, and gaining clean, chiseled lines, along with a new breed of confidence.
This year's model excitedly qualifies as the best-equipped Impala ever, and there are 10 airbags installed to ensure optimum passenger protection. Optional safety features now include adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Before we even get into the praise thatAutoblog had for the new Impala after a test drive, we wanted to share with all of our Mid-Missouri Powerhouse customers the crash-test rating for the Impala: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a five-star overall rating. This rating dropped to four stars only for rollover resistance, which is a very specifically calculated figure.
The LT trim level is the second up the ladder, and is where you really begin to experience the luster and individual appeal that is the new Impala. While still at 4-cylinder, it adds MyLink infotainment, cloth and leatherette upholstery, power lumbar for the front passenger, Bluetooth phone and audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels. Obtaining the Premier trim level is where things really step up a notch: the V6 becomes an instrumental and powerful part of the picture, and you also acquire perforated leather-upholstered seats, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, 19-inch wheels, pushbutton start, and rear parking sensors.
At first glance of the interior, the folks from Autoblog deemed it immediately more spacious than competitors such as the Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Azera. With ample room for five as well as full luggage collection, the front seats were said to provide greater support than nearly all of the rivals, as well as head and leg space that can readily accommodate nearly any body size. Trunk space is plentiful at 18.8 cubic feet, and the cockpit is home to a select few very useful storage bins.
Once on the road, the Autoblog crew claimed that the Impala is an athletic-quality performer, with an excellent balance of handling and ride comfort. Known for its accuracy and quickness, the belt-driven electric power steering never feels too heavy or sluggish. The overall rating given for balance was greater than that of the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Azera, and Ford Taurus. Going from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.8 seconds, the V6 version of the Impala delivers a robust power that is still smooth, minus the grunty and over-the-top muscle of other available models.
This test drive article also claimed that Chevy's latest Impala “blends attractive body lines with well-composed handling, and a satisfying ride”. We hope you come visit us soon at the Powerhouse, to see just how inspiring an addition to your driving lineup this year's Impala could be for the impending spring season around the corner!
