2020 Chevy Impala

• Overview

  

  The announcement came in 2018. In favor of building electric vehicles, GM’s large sedans would be discontinued. The 60-plus-year run of the iconic Impala nameplate came to an end on February 28, 2020, as the last 2020 Chevy Impala rolled off the line, victim of a market that continues to favor crossovers and EVs over gas-powered sedans. Any automotive enthusiast would be sad to contemplate the end of a classic model – however, the 2020 Chevy Impala is nothing to be sad about.

  The Impala was introduced in 1958 as a peak-trim Bel Air, even then pushing the limits of what luxurious, premium features could be had on a “low-price” car. The standalone Impala model built on an X-type frame from 1962 to 1964 has become a classic muscle car and an iconic low-rider. It became Chevy’s entry-level full size with the demise of the Bel Air in 1976 and earned popularity in taxi and police fleets in favor of the flagship Caprice. The model faded in and out of production in the 80s, and 90s and 00s models were primarily sold in fleets, but that changed with the 10th generation Impala released in 2014.

  The final Impala generation is bigger, more luxurious, and more stylish than Impala has been for a long time. More than 60 years after its introduction, the 2020 Impala continues a tradition of good looks, a limo-like interior, and a deceptively responsive, comfortable ride. A long list of options allows base MSRP to undercut the competition by a broad margin while still providing comprehensive standard features. With timeless style that fits in anytime, anyplace, and what’s sure to be incredible nostalgia value in coming years, every driver ought to consider choosing a 2020 Chevy Impala.

  305

  Horsepower (HP)

  19/28

  Fuel Economy (MPG)

  18.8

  Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.)

  Starting at

  $31,620

• Performance

  

  Gone for 2020 are the base LS trim and 4-cylinder engine, but that’s not a bad thing. The 2020 Impala is offered with a 3.6L V6 engine with direct injection that produces 305 hp and 264 lb-ft, putting it in league with genuine muscle cars like the Camaro, Mustang, and Charger. At the same time, it’s rated to achieve 19 MPG city and 28 MPG highway. All around, it’s a powertrain that delivers satisfying acceleration even at highway speeds without disappointing at the pump.

  A Smooth Ride All-Around

  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.

• Interior

  

  Dressed to Impress

  Despite being a budget-friendly sedan with mass-market appeal, the Impala interior impresses both in base LT and upgraded Premier trims. While cheap plastics are observable, all contact surfaces are soft-touch with a high-quality feel, and chrome and wood grain accents lend a sophisticated atmosphere to the cabin. Leather-appointed seats don’t hurt that impression either.

  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.

  Upgrade for Even More

  Upgrading to Premier trim gives the Impala a near-luxury feel for a budget under $40,000. An optional dual-pane sunroof opens up the Impala’s long, flat ceiling for a bright and open daytime joyride experience. At night drivers will appreciate the ambient lamps scattered throughout Premier’s cabin.

  The front passenger seat gains 8-way powered adjustability, and heated front seats become standard, with ventilation an available option as well. The telescoping and tilting steering column can be hooked up to powered adjustments too, and driver position memory allows two drivers to save their driver’s seat, steering wheel, and outside mirror positions for easy adjustments every time they get behind the wheel. The power-adjustable heated side mirrors gain an interesting option here, too – the driver’s side can be auto-dimming for reduced nighttime glare. A similar auto-dimming rear-view mirror is optional on all Impala 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.

• Safety

  

  Chevy is a family brand, and for every family, safety comes first. That’s why Chevy is proud to ship the 2020 Impala with 10 airbags and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Safety Score from the NHTSA. However, the best safety features are those that help drivers avoid accidents in the first place, which is why Chevy is also excited to present a comprehensive suite of today’s most advanced safety features on the 2020 Impala.

  The Impala LT is an unusual full-size sedan in that many active safety features are optional, not standard; we see this as a bonus, allowing drivers who prefer a simpler experience to opt-out of the extra bells and whistles. Everyone else will find that equipping the Confidence Packages still keeps prices well below competitors like the Toyota Avalon, which provide such features standard. 

  Driver Assist Features

  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.

  Sometimes we struggle with observing safe following distances, and reacting too slowly to slowdowns is responsible for most rear-ending accidents. Forward Collision Alert generates an alert to remind drivers to back off, slow down and be ready to slam the brakes when needed, optional on Premier trim. Generally going hand-in-hand with Forward Collision Alert, the Automatic Emergency Braking feature helps prevent or reduce the severity of forward accidents by applying hard emergency braking faster than you can react and do it yourself. It’ll also enhance whatever braking you’re applying in such emergency situations. This feature is only available on Premier trim.

  Nobody likes to be approaching a vehicle that’s all over their lane – and nobody wants to be that driver either. That's where the Lane Departure Warning comes in. Using cameras to identify the lane markers, this optional Premier system will alert you when you approach the sides of your lane without using a turn signal.

  Finally, we’ve all felt the frustration of slowly creeping up on somebody who has the cruise control set 0.5 mph lower than you or who isn’t modulating their own speed very well. Premier-trim Impalas with the Adaptive Cruise Control feature will automatically slow down to maintain a safe following distance, reducing the need for you to hit the brakes and reset your speed so often. So, as you can see, the 2020 Chevy Impala has plenty of options you can add to help you avoid accidents and stay safe. 

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