2020 Chevy Impala

Sedans are rarely built to perform like sports cars. Generally, they’re focused on spacious comfort. The Impala is no different, continuing to deliver a soft, smooth ride even over rough city streets thanks to its sheer size. The rear 4-link suspension and front strut assembly chassis don’t hurt either. As an added bonus, reviewers remark on the light, nimble handling of the big car, comparing it to the significantly smaller Chevy Malibu. While a smooth ride is an Impala hallmark, easy handling hasn’t always been, but the 10th generation model delivers on both fronts.

You’ll be able to impress many of your friends and family with the quality of the Impala’s ride all at once, too. Unlike small vehicles, which have five seats but only 2-4 that are actually suitable for adults, all five chairs in the Impala provide ample room. The second-row leg, hip, and shoulder room are measured at 39.8”, 54.1”, and 56.9” respectively, and there are 105 cu.ft. of passenger volume to get comfortable in. Whether in cloth, leatherette, or leather trim, Impala’s seats are comfortable and supportive for all, so long-distance road trips with adult passengers are perfectly reasonable in an Impala.

Even the base LT trim gives a good first impression when you activate the standard remote start feature. Both the driver and front passenger seats are adjustable for more comfortable seating. The driver has 8-way power adjustments, and both seats have power lumbar adjustment. The standard media system is impressive as well, with an 8” touchscreen serving as your access portal to the Infotainment 3 system, a bright, responsive, intuitive interface that’s the current benchmark for infotainment quality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as 4G Wi-Fi hotspot capability, are standard on this system, a rarity for budget-friendly models.

The Premier trim gets Infotainment 3 with Navigation, adding 2D and 3D GPS navigation to the software suite provided. Drivers with a more old-school taste in entertainment sources will be glad to hear that Premier trim also comes with a single-slot CD player. This increasingly-rare commodity stands in stark contrast with the standard wireless phone charger that Premier offers, allowing compatible smartphones to charge cable-free while driving. It’s a quirk of Impala design that we’re going to miss, paying homage to the past while keeping step with the now.

Driver assistance features available on the 2020 Impala include Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. Premiers and opt-in LTs will get visual alerts on the side mirrors when this system detects another vehicle in your blind spot or rapidly approaching you from behind when you’re attempting a lane change. Ever try to back out of a parking space in a crowded lot with a big truck on either side? Then you’ll understand the anxiety of backing up blindly. Rear Cross Traffic Alert is an extremely helpful feature, available on LT and standard on Premier, that uses radar to detect pedestrian and vehicular traffic in those blind zones so you can reverse with confidence.

The standard rear-view camera is already a great help when backing up. Optional on LT and standard on Premier, Rear Park Assist adds a radar alert when the rear bumper is getting close to detected objects so that you can do a good parking job worry-free.