Used 2014 Chevrolet Impala

Americans have always loved large sedans, and the Chevrolet Impala is one of the most beloved and enduring of those “full-size cars.” But in the past few years, consumer desire for more fuel efficiency chipped away at the size of the large-car segment, helping to send Impala sales downward. With the introduction of the 2014 edition of the Chevy Impala, the company is out to change all that. Impala product planners believe that their newest creation has the prerequisites to get them back in the game, even when fuel economy is a concern thanks to the mild-hybrid Eco model. We’ve driven the new Impala a lot, and if you’re eyeballing a Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus or Toyota Avalon, then the Impala should be added to your list.

The optional 3.6-liter V6 gives the Impala both praiseworthy fuel economy and the highest horsepower number of any naturally aspirated V6 in the segment. Its quicker-than-you’d-guess 0-to-60-mph time of 6.8 seconds is just one indication that the V6-powered Impala feels powerful in any situation. A normally aspirated 4-cylinder and a 4-cylinder with eAssist joined the lineup after the Impala’s initial introduction. Both are aimed at fuel economy more than outright performance, and offer significant mpg gains over the V6. No matter what engine you choose, the Impala offers luxurious comfort and quiet. It uses acoustic glass not only in the windshield but also in the front side windows, and all versions of the Impala have triple door seals. The suspension employs MacPherson struts up front and a 4-link rear setup. Rebound springs in the struts give the car an extra level of refinement. The electric power steering is quicker than you might expect in a large car.

Active noise cancelation in 4-cylinder versions is just one example of the lengths Chevy product planners have gone to offer Impala customers a luxury-like experience. A quick look inside reveals attractive, upscale materials in an appealing design, and, like some of our editorial staff, the interior looks even better in the dark. Ice-blue cabin lighting and chrome trim with “bleed-through” lighting add to the sophisticated feel, and the instrument panel features multi-dimensional gauges and a 4.2-inch screen with configurable colors. We found the seats, some of which are covered in leather and sueded microfiber, to be both comfortable and attractive. And the climate and infotainment (radio) controls on the center stack are big, clearly marked and easy to use.

Under the supervision of John Cafaro, the Chevy design team has drawn an Impala with a long, long hood, highly sculpted front end and a roof so lengthy you might call it a semi-fastback. Chevy pulled out the stops in the front by offering upscale low-profile projector-beam headlights, and the top-of-the-line LTZ trim level has HID headlamps and LED daytime running lights, taking a further step upscale. The overwhelming sense in the new Impala is one of contemporary luxury, and that is enhanced by an array of 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels. Though the trunklid is exceptionally short, trunk space has not been compromised, offering a substantial 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space.

SAFE TO SECURE VALUABLES
Behind the Impala’s optional 8-inch color touchscreen is an area similar to a hotel-room-style safe. When you use a 4-digit code to lock the safe, it not only locks the screen in the lowered position but also locks out your address book and other private info you might have entered into the Chevrolet MyLink system.

MYLINK INFOTAINMENT
Ford has gotten a lot of mileage out of its SYNC system, but several of us like the Chevy MyLink system better. Among the niceties of MyLink are big icons, 3-D map presentation, and the ability to store 60 “favorites” – radio stations, contacts, songs and points of interest among them.

A 6-speed automatic transmission and variable-assist electric power steering (EPS) are two valuable pieces of standard equipment on the new Impala. The refined EPS incorporates what Chevy calls Pull Drift Compensation that automatically adjusts for external factors such as crowned roads and crosswinds. The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, and the Impala is equipped with seven airbags. OnStar is also standard, including six months of Directions & Connections service.

A wide variety of options allow you to equip the Impala as if it were a luxury-brand sedan. Available features include remote start, passive entry/exit, keyless start, heated steering wheel, power tilting/telescoping steering column with memory, dual-zone climate control and heated and ventilated front seats. A Bose surround-sound audio system is available, and the easy-to-use MyLink is standard on LT and LTZ models. Its 8-inch screen can be navigated in the very same way as a tablet computer, and compatible smartphones can be paired with MyLink using Bluetooth or connected via a USB port. The available safety features are nearly mind-blowing: advanced adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and side blind-zone alert among them. You won’t have an excuse for backing into anything, either, since the Impala offers rear cross traffic alert, rear vision camera with dynamic guidelines, ultrasonic rear park assist and hill hold start assist.

Of the three Impala powertrains available, we’ve had the most experience with the top-of-the-line 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. Its 264 lb-ft torque number won’t bowl you over, but it felt strong during our 200 miles at the wheel, abetted by the 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder offers 196 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Arguably the most interesting engine choice is the 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder that gets the benefit of eAssist. With a little help from its electric friend, the 2.4-liter engine will enable the Impala to deliver 35-mpg highway fuel economy.

2.5-liter inline-4
196 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg

2.4-liter inline-4 with eAssist mild hybrid
182 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
172 lb-ft of torque @ 4.900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/35 mpg

3.6-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
264 lb-ft of torque @ 5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29 mpg

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