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The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Review: There are some folks who still want a full-size, American made sedan, and the Chevrolet Impala is a bona fide classic. Now in the third year of this latest iteration, it’s picked up endorsements as a great family car from Kelley Blue Book and U.S. News and World Report.
With midsize models dominating the sedan market today, full-size cars are almost by nature luxury vehicles. Spacious, with upgraded materials and sweeping lines, the Impala’s interior is a cruiser’s dream. You can order up leather in the top two models, but my Heather Gray Metallic tester’s black passenger cell was a mix of cloth and vinyl.
My favorite part of the Impala’s people space is the secret storage bin in the center of the dash, with a door that slides up with the push of a button. With the upgraded MyLink system, you can hook up your portable phone or music easily. New for 2016 is an Apple CarPlay integration and a wireless charging pad for your device right on the console. One off note: The door and console armrest felt at different levels, which left me feeling a little cockeyed.
As usual, you can pick from the LS, LT or LTZ levels. My 2LT, a mid-range car, felt well equipped, but I was surprised at the standard metal key and lack of heated seats. You can add option packages or step up to the LTZ for a complete set of features if you want to.
The big Chevy gets one of two engines. The standard and more efficient choice is a 2.5-liter four with start / stop technology. The engine shuts off at certain times, such as when you’re sitting at a red light or stuck in commute traffic. It then restarts automatically. So, you’re not burning fuel when you’re not moving. It boasts 196 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft. of torque, and is rated at 22 mpg City and 31 Highway and 25 mpg Combined.
The larger 3.6-liter V6 puts out a heftier 305 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque, which propels the 3,800-pound car along with no problem. My tester, with the V6, gave me 19.3 mpg average versus the EPA number of 22 mpg Overall (18 City, 28 Highway). Green scores are a pretty good 7 for Smog and an average 5 for Greenhouse gas.
Both cars come with six-speed automatics that go about their business unobtrusively. I found a +/- button atop the shifter that lets me make those gear changes manually if I felt like it, but as usual, I didn’t bother.
Safety is important for all drivers, but when you’re piloting a family car, it sits at the top of your list of considerations. The Impala comes with the usual assortment of airbags and smart features, but you can also order up a Driver Confidence Package, with Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and Side Blind Zone and Lane Change Alert.
I’ve used all of these in numerous cars now, and can say that they do help prevent the stupid collisions that come from inattention or lack of a clear view. Forward Collision Alert flashes when you’re approaching a car ahead and don’t have your foot on the brake. In commute traffic, that’s extremely handy.
There are no hybrid versions of the Impala, but you can order up a flexfuel version that will take ethanol (E85). I also saw information on a bi-fuel version that runs on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). The CNG tank steals almost half of the 18.8 cubic feet of trunk space, but would make a good cleaner-running fleet vehicle. The CNG version has an EPA-rated 119-mile range.
Pricing on this car starts at $27,920 for the LS and works its way up to the LTZ at $37,240. My tester, with only one $80 option, a truly worthwhile thick rubber trunk mat that kept things from sliding around, came to $30,435 and all prices include the $825 delivery charge. By Steve Schaefer © AutoWire.Net
The 2016 Chevrolet Impala Bottom Line Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
The Bottom Line: The Impala goes back to 1958, when it was the fancy version of a favorite American full size car. Before the 2014 model gave it glamorous, even beautiful styling, the Impala had become more of a rental fleet special. But now, there’s that little kicked up rear fender line that reminds you of not only the original 1958’s, but the gorgeous 1965 Impala, one of the most popular cars ever made with about 1 million of them sold in just one year.
The new Impala is a traditional full-size American car. With 20 percent Mexican content and an engine built in Canada, it’s really more of a 21st Century North American model. This internationalization happens all the time these days. Regardless, if a midsize sedan is a little small for you, the 2016 Impala offers a bit more room in an appealing package. And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”. Bottom Line Review provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net
“Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question or comment for Tony send it to TonyLeo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net - And remember: “You Are What You Drive ©”
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Column Name: The Impala is a bona fide Classic
Topic: The 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Word Count: 948
Photo Caption: The 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Photo Credits: Chevrolet Impala Internet Media
Series #: 2016- 08
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