Pros: Optional seating for six, Long powertrain warranty, Base engine's fuel economy, Acceleration
Cons: Cheap interior materials, Less rear legroom than competitors, Depreciates quickly, Lower safety scores than rivals, Intrusive wind noise
In spite of a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is outdone by most competitors. In times of financial uncertainty, it's natural that people will turn to the tested and performed ones. In other words, extravagant aspirations tend to give way to that which is more grounded and traditional. With respect to the automotive world, the perennial Chevrolet Impala is one familiar multigenerational nameplate that's continued to do well in recessionary times. And it's managed to do so while relying on a design template that hasn't kept up with the latest and the greatest.
The Chevrolet’s Impala's practical strengths contribute to its mainstream appeal: a smooth ride, a quiet cabin, room for up to six, a large trunk and a solid safety record. Not exciting but wholly serviceable, the Impala is decent transportation for most. Changes to the 2011 Chevrolet Impala are minor, meaning it continues to fall farther behind newer and more sophisticated rivals due to its aging platform, rental fleet styling, and cheap interior and unimpressive powertrains.
What we have, then, in the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is an aging back-of-the-pack sedan that needs a return to the drawing board in order to join the class leaders. Impala sales remain strong thanks to rental and company car fleets, but we think buyers with a choice of what they drive deserve better than just "wholly serviceable." So if you're shopping for a well-rounded modern family sedan, instead consider fresher designs like the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Avalon. Times might be uncertain, but that doesn't mean you should settle for something other than the best.
The 2011 Chevy Impala is a full-size four-door sedan offered in three trim levels: base LS, midrange LT and top-drawer LTZ. There is standard seating for five people, but an optional front bench available on the LS and LT ups that to six.
LS models are equipped with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, keyless entry, air-conditioning, five-passenger seating, six-way power driver seat, tilt-only steering wheel, full power accessories, OnStar and a six-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. Next up, the LT adds different 17-inch wheels, foglamps, remote ignition, dual-zone manual climate control, an upgraded trip computer and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls (optional on LS).
The top-of-the-line LTZ adds a larger V6 engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, "luxury-tuned" suspension, eight-way power driver seat and the LT's Luxury package content. A sunroof is optional on the LT and LTZ. The front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala LS and LT models include a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing 211 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque, while the LTZ is equipped with a 3.9-liter V6 that generates 224 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque.
Both overhead valve engines are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the Impala's competitors typically offer more sophisticated six-speed automatics. As a result of its modest output and gearing, performance is unexceptional. With less power, however, the Impala manages estimated fuel economy at 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The larger 3.9-liter V6 achieves an estimated 17/27/21, which is about the same as the Chevy Malibu's substantially more powerful V6.
A quick tour of the Impala's cabin offers a good illustration of the strengths and weaknesses of its aging design. While it's roomy and quiet with simple controls, the cabin's bland styling and low-quality materials cheapen the experience and make the car feel dated and utilitarian. Viewed from a strictly practical perspective, however, it's hard to argue with the Impala's cabin. There's seating for up to six passengers -- something that's increasingly rare in modern sedans, with the 40/20/40-split front bench that's offered as an option on LS/LT models. Hip- and shoulder room are good all around, though competitive models offer a bit more legroom. The spacious trunk will swallow more than 18 cubic feet of cargo; while not class-leading, this is still fairly impressive.
Driving dynamics are rather pedestrian, and a major reason why the Impala languishes behind the segment leaders as a middling performer. The 2011 Impala's powertrains deliver modest output with designs that recall an earlier era , while proven and adequate for relaxed everyday driving when judged in isolation, they seem relatively weak when compared to the more stout and sophisticated V6s and six-speed transmissions of its rivals. The larger 3.9-liter V6 is preferred, as it offers more power reserves when accelerating around town and on the highway. The Impala's suspension is tuned for an especially comfortable and smooth ride, but it suffers from lackluster handling response. Again, fine for a brief rental tour while on vacation in Florida, but its competitors offer more refinement that you'll appreciate in the long term.
Cons: Cheap interior materials, Less rear legroom than competitors, Depreciates quickly, Lower safety scores than rivals, Intrusive wind noise
In spite of a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is outdone by most competitors. In times of financial uncertainty, it's natural that people will turn to the tested and performed ones. In other words, extravagant aspirations tend to give way to that which is more grounded and traditional. With respect to the automotive world, the perennial Chevrolet Impala is one familiar multigenerational nameplate that's continued to do well in recessionary times. And it's managed to do so while relying on a design template that hasn't kept up with the latest and the greatest.
The Chevrolet’s Impala's practical strengths contribute to its mainstream appeal: a smooth ride, a quiet cabin, room for up to six, a large trunk and a solid safety record. Not exciting but wholly serviceable, the Impala is decent transportation for most. Changes to the 2011 Chevrolet Impala are minor, meaning it continues to fall farther behind newer and more sophisticated rivals due to its aging platform, rental fleet styling, and cheap interior and unimpressive powertrains.
What we have, then, in the 2011 Chevrolet Impala is an aging back-of-the-pack sedan that needs a return to the drawing board in order to join the class leaders. Impala sales remain strong thanks to rental and company car fleets, but we think buyers with a choice of what they drive deserve better than just "wholly serviceable." So if you're shopping for a well-rounded modern family sedan, instead consider fresher designs like the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Avalon. Times might be uncertain, but that doesn't mean you should settle for something other than the best.
The 2011 Chevy Impala is a full-size four-door sedan offered in three trim levels: base LS, midrange LT and top-drawer LTZ. There is standard seating for five people, but an optional front bench available on the LS and LT ups that to six.
LS models are equipped with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, keyless entry, air-conditioning, five-passenger seating, six-way power driver seat, tilt-only steering wheel, full power accessories, OnStar and a six-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. Next up, the LT adds different 17-inch wheels, foglamps, remote ignition, dual-zone manual climate control, an upgraded trip computer and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls (optional on LS).
The top-of-the-line LTZ adds a larger V6 engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, "luxury-tuned" suspension, eight-way power driver seat and the LT's Luxury package content. A sunroof is optional on the LT and LTZ. The front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala LS and LT models include a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing 211 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque, while the LTZ is equipped with a 3.9-liter V6 that generates 224 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque.
Both overhead valve engines are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the Impala's competitors typically offer more sophisticated six-speed automatics. As a result of its modest output and gearing, performance is unexceptional. With less power, however, the Impala manages estimated fuel economy at 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The larger 3.9-liter V6 achieves an estimated 17/27/21, which is about the same as the Chevy Malibu's substantially more powerful V6.
A quick tour of the Impala's cabin offers a good illustration of the strengths and weaknesses of its aging design. While it's roomy and quiet with simple controls, the cabin's bland styling and low-quality materials cheapen the experience and make the car feel dated and utilitarian. Viewed from a strictly practical perspective, however, it's hard to argue with the Impala's cabin. There's seating for up to six passengers -- something that's increasingly rare in modern sedans, with the 40/20/40-split front bench that's offered as an option on LS/LT models. Hip- and shoulder room are good all around, though competitive models offer a bit more legroom. The spacious trunk will swallow more than 18 cubic feet of cargo; while not class-leading, this is still fairly impressive.
Driving dynamics are rather pedestrian, and a major reason why the Impala languishes behind the segment leaders as a middling performer. The 2011 Impala's powertrains deliver modest output with designs that recall an earlier era , while proven and adequate for relaxed everyday driving when judged in isolation, they seem relatively weak when compared to the more stout and sophisticated V6s and six-speed transmissions of its rivals. The larger 3.9-liter V6 is preferred, as it offers more power reserves when accelerating around town and on the highway. The Impala's suspension is tuned for an especially comfortable and smooth ride, but it suffers from lackluster handling response. Again, fine for a brief rental tour while on vacation in Florida, but its competitors offer more refinement that you'll appreciate in the long term.
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