Our Verdict
What's New
- The Chevrolet Impala continues into 2019 essentially unchanged.
Pros & Cons
- Attractive styling
- Priced right
- Comfortable and well-constructed interior
- Lacking standard advanced safety tech
- Harsh ride with the available 20-inch wheels
- The Impala will be discontinued after the 2020 model year
REVIEW
2019 Chevrolet Impala: Big-Car Usability With Sporty Styling
The Impala still has its place as the fleet car of choice for rental companies and corporate logistics managers everywhere for its compelling mix of comfort and value. Those same attributes also make it a good option for most mainstream car buyers. Chevrolet hasn’t forgotten the car’s roots as a spacious and comfortable people-hauler that can handle five people, even on long road trips.
The base LT Impala feels much more premium than its sub-$30,000 price tag suggests, and the top-shelf Premier version is downright luxurious with its soft-touch materials and quality interior feel.
The Impala’s exterior styling has evolved from bland to handsome in recent years, and though this generation of the car debuted in 2014, the overall design has aged well. The car’s muscular stance conveys more sportiness than truly exists, but the look works well. The upgraded alloy wheels are worth an upcharge, as the large steel wheels with hubcaps are not entirely up to par with the rest of the vehicle’s style.
To say the interior is busy would be an understatement. There are colors, lines and materials mixed haphazardly in what is otherwise a comfortable cabin. The 8-inch touchscreen is mounted high on the dash and provides decent visibility, while the mix of analog and digital gauges provide bright and easily visible information.
The Premier trim’s 305-horsepower V6 engine provides strong acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. It’s a smooth and responsive powertrain that makes good use of the Impala’s six-speed automatic transmission. There is no hunting for gears, and though there are fewer of them compared with rivals, the transmission never feels overworked or overpowered by the engine. Power is sent to the front wheels, and direct steering feel makes for a surprisingly entertaining and engaging driving experience for such a large family car. The suspension is tuned more for comfort, but the feel is athletic and it manages twisty roads with a modicum of enthusiasm.
The Impala’s interior also leans more toward comfort, which is a good thing for a large sedan. The standard 8-way power driver’s seat is more than adjustable enough for people of all sizes, and even the standard cloth upholstery doesn’t feel cheap. The leather in the Premier is soft and comfortable on long drives.
Back seat passengers will enjoy a decent amount of legroom, but headroom takes a hit from the Impala’s sloping roof. There’s plenty of hip room for three adults to ride in the rear, which also makes for an easy time hauling kids. Despite the sedan’s relatively low ride height, getting children into their safety seats is relatively drama free thanks to large door openings and a cavernous back seat.
An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, and with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available, there are maps and several entertainment options at hand. The Bose sound system provides a rich and loud audio experience that benefits from the Impala’s quiet interior.
The Impala scored “Good” ratings in most categories tested by the IIHS, except for small overlap front crashworthiness, which scored “Acceptable.” The LATCH system’s ease of use was rated “Acceptable” as well, which is just a reflection of how difficult it is to install car seats using the anchor points provided.
The Premier has available lane departure, forward collision and rear cross-traffic alerts. It’s a slim list of safety options that require an added-cost and aren’t available in lower trim levels like the LS. With the optional equipment on board, the Impala scored well for frontal crash prevention.
Warranty
3 Years/36,000 Miles
5 Years/60,000 Miles
Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Rust-Through
6 Years/100,000 Miles
5 Years/60,000 Miles
Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles
1 Year/1 Visit