Topic: CD Article: 2006 Chevrolet Impala LTZ

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

In its first major redesign since 2000, the Chevrolet Impala sedan has been given a styling make-over, a much improved interior, two new V6 engines and a new V8, improvements designed to reduce interior noise, and a lower price, reports Editor, Greg Wilson. Its generic appearance is "guaranteed not to offend anyone," he says.      More...

[a4_tom]

Overall a mix review for a good rental car.

[genetik_freak]

This car looks dated as it is. Rental car at best as mentioned.

[smainville]

A job well done by GM, very nice interior.

[wing]

Wow that does look lke a nice interior

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Should be a great seller - essentially a Chrysler 300 and Ford Five Hundred competitor at $6,000 less.

A good effort.

It looks so much larger and wider than the current gen Impala. Hard to believe it's the same size. I liked the interior room of the older one better tho.

[mdxtasy]

It looks like the interior is MUCH improved.  Kudos to GM.  Very tasteful design and layout.  It doesn't have the 300 style (and it doesn't look as good as the Ford Fusion either)...but this looks a great deal better than the car it replaces. 

[chrischasescars]

I've always liked the Impala - it's a solid mid-sized car at a good price. I haven't had a lot of seat time in the old car, but my father-in-law likes the ones he's rented quite a lot, and he drives an E34 525i, which is a wonderful driver's car, and about the same size.

Only thing I wish they'd done with the new Impala is to carry over the first-gen's round taillights. I think the new rear looks more generic. The front is okay, but could have stood a little more flash and dash.

LOVE the interior of this new car, though - big improvement over the old car. I like GM's new radios - lightyears better than that same old gray blobular Delco stereo they used to put in EVERYTHING.

Still haven't seen one in the flesh, though.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I like the look and simplicity of the radios, but not really the display quality.

VW has new radios that digitally show you the frequency of the station in the display above the pre-set button much like the new GM Black Tie units (and it's a great feature), but the VW units are really clear whereas the GM units look far too busy and pixelly to me.

But HUGE improvement over the grey-buttoned AC Delco crap.

Also, I had seen cars with the auto transmission and thought they were pre-production because they didn't have the PRNDL indications down by the transmission shifter, but I guess that's the way they come. Interesting.

[Bullet Blue]

Agreed, this car is much improved. Especially the interior. The exterior design is a little plain, but it is still a great effort nonetheless. I have always loved the impala. Good job GM.

[stodge]

Still only a four-speed automatic?

[a4_tom]

Still only a four-speed automatic?

When a Civic is getting a 5-speed auto.

[akdn2000]

Seems GM is breaking into the mold that Toyota is trying to break out off...

Too bad for GM..... great news for Toyota.

[sterling]

Still only a four-speed automatic?

When a Civic is getting a 5-speed auto.

Other brands have had 5 spd autos for years. I wonder what took Honda so long?

[Drivesideways]

Very "fleet" looking outside...and not in a good way.  And do we have to put spoilers on the trunk lids of everything now?     

The interior looks great.  Interesting without being overdone.  And, yes, "Hallelujah" to the demise of the old GM stereo.

[Shnak]

Still only a four-speed automatic?

When a Civic is getting a 5-speed auto.

Other brands have had 5 spd autos for years. I wonder what took Honda so long?

Show me another compact car that costs less than $20k that has had 5 speed automatics for years... there's none. The only compact car that has had 5 speed automatics before the Civic was the Golf/Jetta, but those cost a bit more than a Civic.

It's really pathetic when a entry level car like the Civic gets a 5 speed automatic while pretty much top of the line Chevrolet or even the brand new Buick Allure only gets 4 speed automatics.

I know Barrie will come in here soon and say that GM builds the best automatic trannies in the world and that they don't need 5 gears when their 4 gears work just fine... with that kind of logic, we'd still use horses and chariots.

[sterling]

I wondered who would show up with the qualifiers. 

Isn't it kind of wierd to post comments based on what someone might say?

[Shnak]

I wondered who would show up with the qualifiers. 

Isn't it kind of wierd to post comments based on what someone might say?

There aren't a lot of things that you can count on in life... but Barrie supporting GM products is something you can count on.... he will be here sooner than later... 

[Drivesideways]

I couldn't care less whether the "ImpLa" had a 4- or 5-speed auto, as long as it suits the engine and isn't always hunting for the right gear.  I expect most people interested in buying this car won't be putting "5-speed automatic" high on their wish list.  In fact, I'm not really sure I understand the benefits of a 5-speed auto unless it's attempting to mimic the involvement of a manual transmission through a manumatic mode, or if it's mated to an engine with a narrow torque curve.  But I'm ready to be educated on that score.

[Bullet Blue]