First Drive Review
The Impala is euphemistically named for the fleet-footed antelope, but it's actually more of a Percheron, a dependable workhorse that's pulled a heavy load for Chevrolet since the Beatles were a bar band. This is not to disparage the car. Except for the occasional SS model, Chevy has never made enthusiast claims for the Impala. It's a middle-of-the-road, no-nonsense sedan intended to meet the needs of families. It's also Chevy's bestselling passenger car, racking up nearly 300,000 sales in 2004. That sounds good, but the Impala has been outclassed, outsold, and outperformed by its toughest competitors, the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.
Chevy hopes to alter that situation with the 2006 Impala, which borrows only the basic foundation of the 2005 model. The body, the interior, and most of the mechanicals are either brand-new or substantially redesigned.
At the top of the line is a $27,790 SS model powered by 303-hp V-8 and riding on a firmed-up suspension. Chevy claims a 0-to-60 time of 5.7 seconds for the SS. A short drive seemed to confirm that number. The SS was quick, particularly in the midrange, handled well, and generally felt like a coherent, well-assembled package.
A couple of V-6s are available as well-a base 3.5-liter with 211 horses and a 3.9-liter with 242. These power LS, LT, and LTZ versions of the Impala, which differ only in levels of standard equipment and range in base price from $21,990 to $27,530.
The Impala is a large sedan-roomy, well appointed, and comfortable-and it has a thoroughly up-to-date interior that's cleanly styled and well thought out as far as instruments, controls, and conveniences, such as plentiful storage spaces, are concerned.
Our biggest qualm at first impression was the Impala's look, or lack of same. Its styling is inoffensive to the point of being nonexistent. Like Ford with its bland, slow-selling Five Hundred, but unlike Chrysler with its distinctive, hot-selling 300, Chevy decided to take no risks with the Impala's design. It won't offend, but it won't turn heads, either.
