My ride to Toronto and back in a rented loaded Impala had to be the most uninspiring and tiring ride ever, the latest Impala from GM is a step backwards. Our rental was full of electrical glitches, CEL and Air bags, the vehicles tracking on the 401 was pityful, the seats were terrible, the engine was totally anemic. Besides the good looks of the Impala it's not much of a car underneath the skin. As for a good north american to drive, the 300 tops my list, I had one in BC for a week this spring and that car I enjoyed a lot and would consider.
which model year? I agree with you if you talk about the last generation (up to 2005) with the 3.4 engine. The seat in the new generation are way better but I haven't drive one yet on the road.