2016 Chevrolet Impala Review - Second Fiddle Buick (Video)

2016 Chevrolet Impala Review - Second Fiddle Buick (Video) - 2016 Chevrolet Impala 2LT 3.6-liter DOHC V-6, direct injectio...

2016 Chevrolet Impala Review - Second Fiddle Buick (Video) -

2016 Chevrolet Impala 2LT

3.6-liter DOHC V-6, direct injection, CVVT (305 horsepower @ 6800; 264 lb-ft @ 50 ) automatic 19 city / 29 highway / 22 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) 21.8 (observed MPG) base Six-speed Price: $ 27,970 * As Tested: $ 31,950 * * prices include $ 875 fee destination

The Impala exists in an odd segment of its own. The size Chevy is one of the largest sedans sold in America, but its base engine is only 2.5 liter four-cylinder. Based on options pricing and functionality, the Impala is designed to be a half-step above the Malibu, but the number of actual competitors, the Impala is extremely low. Indeed, GM of philosophy in the large sedan segment is different from the rest. Most of its competitors have two entries in this segment: a mass market option and a luxury option. GM, however, sliced ​​his pie three ways with the Chevrolet Impala, Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XTS.

This puts the Impala in the dubious position of the least expensive option in the album full-size GM. It also means a full-size Impala competition narrows to only the Taurus and charger. Why? Because the real competitor to the Chrysler 300, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, Acura RLX and most trim the Toyota Avalon is not the Impala, but the Buick LaCrosse. Meanwhile, upscale trim the RLX, Cadenza, Azera, Chrysler 300 and Lexus ES cross store with the Cadillac.

GM ruled the too fine things with the Impala? Let's find out.

Exterior
In my eyes, the Impala is the most GM triples attractive full screen.

the current LaCrosse is too bubbly hair and proportions of the XTS seem difficult with the Caddy is longer, but not more than others. For the Impala, Chevrolet borrowed Art and Science of Cadillac theme of clues and a little Camaro latest when developing the front end angular and aggressive. The look is more exciting than the Avalon and Taurus, and just a hair behind the new nose in my book charger.

Unfortunately, it seems that the budget of sheetmetal has been spent by the time designers arrived at the back. Like many Chevy crossings, the Impala has a rear end Plain Jane with concealed tailpipes and large flat surfaces. That said, the Impala has aged better than I thought because it was redesigned, and I would place it just behind the Chrysler 300 refreshed in the department of aesthetics.

It may not be obvious in pictures, but the Impala is great. Really big. At 201.3 inches long, this Chevy is 3 inches longer than the Dodge Charger and a full foot more than a Toyota Camry. Unlike the Chevrolet SS abandoned or big Chryslers, the Impala is a sedan with four-wheel drive front wheel proportions unequivocal. The low front end, short hood and long cabin may not be as imposing as the profile of the Chrysler 300 muscle car, but it translates directly to a huge cabin.

inside
The interior of the Impala recalls the GM full-size SUV in the theme, but the variation in the interior quality of the room is what really struck me.

The central vents and their casings are oversized and chased a plastic that does not match the other similar questionable and large plastic piece around climate control anything. What makes the quality of those annoying pieces are not the parties themselves, but the fact that everything else in the cabin of the Impala is executed with a high level of polish. The cover of the combined instruments and trim sewn on the infotainment system are perfect. The steering wheel feels substantial and recalls the last Mercedes S-Class. The door panels are lined with soft plastic. Overall, there is less hard plastic in the cabin in a CAMCORD. The average component in this cabin feels more luxurious than the Dodge Charger or Ford Taurus. The problem for these cars Chevy is doing a better job of keeping the cheapest bit far from your reach, while the Impala shines a spotlight on them.

Redeeming the Impala is an interior that is huge. The front seats are big and comfortable, coming just below the premium seats in the LaCrosse, Cadenza and Taurus, which is impressive since you have to pay much more for upscale thrones in these models. Unfortunately, GM has decided to withdraw four-way lumbar support, electrically adjustable in the redesigned Impala, but these seats still high and the charger 300 in the overall comfort.

Although the Impala n 't much wider than your average CAMCORD, particular more. This is evident in the back seat where you will find more than 5 inches of extra leg from the Camry. The astute among you may notice that it is not in the specs you would expect. When considering the legs, it is important to look at the combined legs (before more rear) and the front and rear of the individual numbers to get a complete picture. front seat of the Impala offer a wide range of motion and accommodate taller drivers with ease. Moving seats in a position that is comfortable for my six foot frame (so that my feet are on stage) results in the limo chamber as in the back. In fact, the total space of figures for Impala's legs are only 2 / 10ths of an inch behind the BMW 7 Series has recently expanded.

Although GM engineers honestly wasted much space using tubular hinges face the cargo area so that the hinges do not interfere with your loading cargo, the Impala will still hold 18 8 cubic feet of your stuff in the trunk. Beating most entries except for the Taurus that uses "hidden hinge" swallowing a 1.3 cubic feet more.

Infotainment
The high point for the interior of the Impala is the latest infotainment system GM. Yep, that's right, this software has come a long way.

The software used in the Impala is based on Cadillac CUE, with some modifications to separate the rabble of the upper crust. The XTS system has a capacitive touch screen like your iPad or Android tablet, while the Chevy system made do with a resistive touch screen as your old Palm Pilot. The proximity sensor is also eliminated in the name of saving money. Fortunately, the touch screen itself is the only real ride. The software is much brighter and more reliable than at launch. The optional navigation interface still looks a little old school, but the input method is now more natural and allows you simply type "123 Main St Brisbane in California." The system decipher your senses and give you options based on your input.

also significantly different from the last time we tasted this system is the integration of Apple carplay. (Android Auto will be available through a software update in March.) This makes the Impala and Buick sistership the first full size sedans to offer this new level of integration of the smartphone. All models with 8-inch LCD screen functionality and get more I use it, the more I love the concept. Instead of paying extra for the full navigation software that I do not find very attractive, just use what is already on your phone. GM also includes OnStar with the Impala, as it does with all its cars these days, and you can use the OnStar directions served turn-by-turn if you wish.

Training
Under the hood you'll find a range of engines is more than medium-sized full-size. Things start with a four-cylinder engine 2.5 liter 196 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Since last year, GM has equipped it with a standard motor to boost mileage city system startup / shutdown, but you should know it's not their "mild hybrid" eAssist system that was abandoned. The optional engine is ubiquitous 3.6-liter V-6 GM in a 305 horsepower, 264 lb-ft of torque air. Both engines are mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels only. If you want AWD GM in a body, you must go to LaCrosse.

New for 2016 is a V-6 3.6 liter engine capable of running off gas or compressed natural gas via a Twin-tank configuration. The fuel tank is in the usual place with over 300 miles of beach, while the CNG cylinder occupies almost half of the trunk and is good for 150 miles.

Before you get too excited, you should keep a few things spirit.

First, it will not qualify for HOV stickers of California CNG Honda Civic. Second, it is 23 percent more expensive than the standard 3.6-liter V-6. And finally, the production increases from 305 hp to 260 when running on gasoline and sinks an extra 30 horses farther CNG. Couple similar decline of 264 lb-ft to 247 or 218 depending on the fuel.

player Although Impala is one of the largest sedans wheel drive in America, it is not as heavy as you might think. With a curb weight of 3800 pounds, the V-6 Impala is a rare 0 pounds more than a V-6 Accord, but an all-important 0 pounds less than a six-cylinder or charger 300. ( the Impala is also a hair lighter than a Chrysler 0 V-6.) lighter weight and robust 305 horsepower allow Impala to drive smaller than it is. Acceleration of our tester was fast, running 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds. Braking is equally impressive, taking only 124 feet to stop from 60 to zero. It is shorter than the 2016 Honda Accord EX we tested recently. The era of large sedans feel like boats on the open road ended with the suspension of the Impala awarded more like a yacht Agreement 1970s land. It is also interesting to note the 38.8 feet turning circle is actually smaller than that of the Touring Agreement.

While GM has yet to refine the interior of the Impala, they really know how to design a four-wheel suspension. Handling is excellent, even without the Hi-Per Strut suspension is optional in the standard Buick and the Cadillac. Helped by standard 235 width tires, the Impala will eat your favorite winding mountain road with more enthusiasm than your average midsize sedan. Many buyers seem to be under the impression that jump from one car CAMCORD size of a size sedan Taurus / Impala would result in poor handling, but this is not the case. Thank you to the lighter curb weight and tires that are two sizes larger than the base Dodge Charger, the Impala on the handles of the comparable price Dodge. To top it off, we averaged a very similar 22 mpg in mixed driving, although the Impala has wider tires and two less speed than the shipper.

Price
people who come to understand the GM pricing tables have a tough job. The mission of the Impala is to be one of the great cheapest sedan in America without stepping on the toes of the midsize Malibu and LaCrosse closely linked. With the Malibu from $ 21,625, the Impala from $ 27,095 and $ 31,065 for stickering LaCrosse, the first obstacle seems to be erased until you look under the hood. Remember that the four-cylinder engine? It is a problem. The Taurus gets a 288 horsepower V-6 essentially the same as the Impala four pot. Dodge gets 292 ponies and rear wheel drive for $ 00 more. By the time you add the V-6 in the Impala, you are $ 30,435, making it more expensive than a comparable Ford or Dodge equipped.

Because Chevy is not supposed to walk all over Buick too heavily, the Impala tops out at about $ 40,000 and does not offer fancy front suspension, AWD or mild hybrid option. But the real problem of the Impala can be seen in comparison to the LaCrosse. The Impala eventually more expensive than the competition when configured comparable but the LaCrosse ends up being one of the best deals. If you want the V-6 (and believe me, you do), the Buick's just $ 630 more expensive. Crushing the Buick includes $ 1,500 more standard equipment - as a cluster of 8-inch LCD instrument, passenger seat, and auto dimming mirrors (among others) -. And marks Buick actually cheaper than the Chevy If this is not enough, the Buick brand offers a little more upscale and a longer warranty.

a serious overhaul comes to LaCrosse for 2017, and perhaps some updates Impala, as well. However, I'm not sure they'll improve a lot for Chevrolet. 2017 Buick LaCrosse will be adding a more refined cabin, refreshed exterior and new eight speed automatic GM, which should improve both fuel economy and acceleration. And yet, most experts seem to agree that the price tag of the LaCrosse will grow by a small amount. Given the major improvements to the Buick, Impala's value proposition could actually worsen.

After a week with the Impala, I began to question its existence. Not that the Impala is a bad car itself. It is the full-size sedan Chevrolet does not exist in a vacuum. If the price tag of the Impala began midway between Malibu and LaCrosse, it would be a good deal. As it is, however, the Impala is often sitting on the same lot as the LaCrosse, which offers more refinement, more comfort, better handling, an additional guarantee for $ 630 dollars and a trunk that is more a few cubes small - and that is in the current form of LaCrosse. Until GM adjusts the MSRP of $ 5,000 or Impala low returns to a simple badge, designed Lapala, the Chevy is destined to play second fiddle to his cousin Buick.

GM provided the vehicle, insurance and a tank of gas for this review

Specifications as tested

0-30 mph: 2.4 seconds

0-60 mph: 6.0 seconds

1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph