Well done, Chevy....Consumer Reports agrees with me on the new 2014 Impala.
08-03-13, 10:05 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well done, Chevy....Consumer Reports agrees with me on the new 2014 Impala.
In my recent full-review of the all-new 2014 Chevy Impala (posted here on CAR CHAT), I was very strongly impressed with it, and found it, by my standards, a true pleasure to drive.....although there were a couple of flimsy interior-trim parts here and there. I felt it was the best new Impala I'd seen since the 1970s...or perhaps even the late 60s. Clearly gone are the days when the Impala looked....and drove....like a second-class rental that one would pick up at the airport.
Consumer Reports, now that they have had a chance to review a new Impala and compare it to its rivals, also agrees. They note the light-year difference between this version and the old one, and gave it a 95 out of 100 possible score, placing it #1 in its class...even several points ahead of the new Avalon. Unfortunately, of course, neither the new Avalon or Impala can be officially recommended by CR until they have an established reliability record, which neither car yet has....that is now the case with CR on virtually any new or extensively redesigned model.
Just my own opinion, BTW.....I still feel that the new Impala's chassis is the one that the new Avalon should have got, and didn't. The Avalon, though (now) with excellent fit/finish and a much-improved interior, is clearly biased too much with a sporting-chassis and rides too stiffly. The new Impala, like the Buick Lacrosse, is an ideal combination of ride-handling and noise-isolation.
(This is a brief condensation of their report....for some reason, they are restricting the full-report Internet access, which is printed in their paper copy of the latest issue)
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/chevrolet/impala.htm
The redesigned 2014 Impala is now a contemporary large, upscale sedan that's roomy, comfortable, quiet, refined and is enjoyable to drive. Engine choices include a 3.6-liter V6, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and the 2.4-liter four with eAssist. All are paired with a six-speed automatic. The V6 version accelerates and brakes capably. Handling is secure and responsive. The car rides like a luxury sedan with a cushy and controlled demeanor. The cabin is very quiet. The roomy interior has a sumptuous back seat and a huge trunk. Interior ambience and trimmings are largely of high quality. The controls are presented in an intuitive, easy to use way without resorting to a newfangled and over-complicated interface. The downside is that rear visibility is a bit wanting. Advanced electronic safety features are readily available.
Consumer Reports, now that they have had a chance to review a new Impala and compare it to its rivals, also agrees. They note the light-year difference between this version and the old one, and gave it a 95 out of 100 possible score, placing it #1 in its class...even several points ahead of the new Avalon. Unfortunately, of course, neither the new Avalon or Impala can be officially recommended by CR until they have an established reliability record, which neither car yet has....that is now the case with CR on virtually any new or extensively redesigned model.
Just my own opinion, BTW.....I still feel that the new Impala's chassis is the one that the new Avalon should have got, and didn't. The Avalon, though (now) with excellent fit/finish and a much-improved interior, is clearly biased too much with a sporting-chassis and rides too stiffly. The new Impala, like the Buick Lacrosse, is an ideal combination of ride-handling and noise-isolation.
(This is a brief condensation of their report....for some reason, they are restricting the full-report Internet access, which is printed in their paper copy of the latest issue)
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/chevrolet/impala.htm
The redesigned 2014 Impala is now a contemporary large, upscale sedan that's roomy, comfortable, quiet, refined and is enjoyable to drive. Engine choices include a 3.6-liter V6, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and the 2.4-liter four with eAssist. All are paired with a six-speed automatic. The V6 version accelerates and brakes capably. Handling is secure and responsive. The car rides like a luxury sedan with a cushy and controlled demeanor. The cabin is very quiet. The roomy interior has a sumptuous back seat and a huge trunk. Interior ambience and trimmings are largely of high quality. The controls are presented in an intuitive, easy to use way without resorting to a newfangled and over-complicated interface. The downside is that rear visibility is a bit wanting. Advanced electronic safety features are readily available.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-03-13 at 10:43 AM.
08-03-13, 10:25 AM
#3
interior is not bad, but it is not really nice either... maybe it will look better in real life pics... front is good looking, but back has some strange mix of A4 and Sonata lines.
lets hope it sells good for them.
lets hope it sells good for them.
08-03-13, 10:31 AM
#4
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Wow!! 95 out of 100 from CR is insanely good! I had the previous as a rental and it really did feel way too much like a second class rental car like you said. Will definitely check out the new one.
08-03-13, 10:40 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
saw one on the road in orlando (probably a rental along with the zillion chrysler 200's here that nobody else wants 
), and i thought wow what a looker!
congrats to GM!
ford and gm set the standard for quiet in mainstream vehicles these days, something i value highly.
), and i thought wow what a looker!congrats to GM!
ford and gm set the standard for quiet in mainstream vehicles these days, something i value highly.
08-03-13, 10:45 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Agreed it's not necessarily the best interior on the road, but it's far from what I would call bad or cheaply-done. The real brilliance of this car, though, is under the skin, with refinement/noise-isolation, and in the chassis.
08-03-13, 10:54 AM
#7
no wonder, it is 330lbs heavier than Avalon... GM needs to solve their weight problem, Opel is dying in Europe because every one of their cars is significantly heavier and ends up having significantly worse mpg in real life vs opposition.
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08-03-13, 11:06 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
CR's top rated Large Sedans in order are: Impala, Genesis V6, Avalon, Chrysler 300 V6 and Maxima.
Followed by Azera, MKZ, LaCrosse eAssist, Charger V6, LaCrosse V6 and Taurus.
Followed by Azera, MKZ, LaCrosse eAssist, Charger V6, LaCrosse V6 and Taurus.
08-03-13, 02:47 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Glad it's gaining positive reports. GM needs winners in these segments. However, I personally can't get passed the creeping lava flow dash design.
