Test Drive: 2003 Chevrolet Impala

The bread-and-butter sedan with loads of flavour

Well the new generation of big American sedans seems to have had these issues addressed, and Chevy’s Impala is a great example of this remarkable transformation.

The car

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Once inside you will immediately notice the relatively tall and wide expanses of glass that combine to offer all occupants excellent visibility. Although the Impala is really a mid-sized car, the roomy feel conveyed by the roofline and windows make it feel much more like a full-sized car. The perception of room is often all that is needed to make a car feel more comfortable. It sure works here.

Under the hood

For 2003 Chevrolet offers consumers the choice of two power plants for the Impala, both of the V6 variety. The base unit is a 180-horsepower 3.4-litre V6, while the top-of-the-line LS models sport a 3.8-litre V6 that generates a healthy 200-horsepower. Neither engine features anything ‘trick’ or cutting-edge with regards to components or architecture, but both are perfectly suited for this vehicle. My test vehicle featured the 3.8-litre motor, and I must admit I was not wanting for power. Power delivery was very smooth, and the torque band seemed to fall right where it was needed.

Acceleration comes on strong, especially with the more powerful 3.8-litre engine. Chevrolet claims the Impala makes the trip from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 8-seconds, which is quick for a car of this size.

On the road

When pushed hard the Impala reacts well, although slippery seating surfaces had me sliding with the lateral forces, more so than the car. Body roll is minimal for a car of this type and for this alone the engineers deserve a raise. The larger engine option is partnered with a tweaked ‘sport’ suspension and a quicker steering ratio, blessing the Impala with a surprisingly responsive ride and almost agile handling.

Brand identity

My test vehicle was decked to the nines, ordered with the LS Sport Appearance Package that adds performance enhancements such as brake cooling ducts and a strut-tower brace, as well as safety items like a tire-inflation monitor and seat-mounted side-impact airbags.

Impala logos emblazoned on the inside door panels and vertical ribs on the seating surfaces hint at the name’s history, but the rest of the interior design seems a bit mismatched. Switchgear is for the most part, in all the expected places and works very well, but every one of them seems to be of a different shape, texture or size. The HVAC controls utilize twin vertical sliders fitted with fingertip controls no bigger (or thicker) than your pinky nail. I bet these won’t prove to be very durable over the long haul. I was amazed to see the light switch mounted on the dash, an old-school plunger type pull stalk, as modern vehicles usually mount this switch on the steering column. This seemed out of place with the swoopy dash cap and inlaid carbon-fibre effect trim.

Room for the whole gang

A pair of large storage compartments reside up front, one in the headliner that is perfect for items such as remote controls, maps or cell phones, another immediately in front of the shift lever, large enough for a Kleenex box or gloves. The LS model replaces the front bench seat with a pair of bucket units, allowing installation of a centre console with storage for CDs and tapes.

Bells and whistles

Chevrolet has equipped all Impalas with a long list of standard features including dual-zone air-conditioning, an AM/FM/cassette stereo, four-wheel-disc brakes, power locks, windows, and mirrors, aluminum wheels and a remote keyless entry system. Opting for the LS package adds cruise control, ABS, traction control, Onstar, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and front bucket sport seats with 6-way power adjustment for the driver. Further options include a power sunroof and a choice of up-rated audio equipment including the availability of XM Satellite Radio.

The return of the big sedan

When Chevrolet discontinued production of the full-size Caprice sedan police forces and cab companies lost one of the old standbys. GM officials hoped that the law enforcement buyer would move up to a SUV like the Tahoe or Yukon, as that was the trend with Joe Citizen. However, most agencies just doubled their orders for the competition, the Ford Crown Victoria. Lately, I have noticed the Impala appearing in greater numbers in both cab and cruiser form, as even Ford seems set on weaning the fleet managers from the larger cars and into the Taurus line. Now with Chrysler’s Intrepid back in the law enforcement game, things could shake up. In short, the large sedan seems to be making a come back, and Chevrolet is well placed to capture its fair share of the demand for such cars with the Impala, as GM’s mid-size platform is well-proven and relatively easy to produce.

The verdict

For consumers wary of getting behind the wheel of a SUV or worried about the ‘soccer mom’ stigma that comes with ownership of a minivan, then a roomy sedan like the Chevrolet Impala is a reasonable alternative. The well-informed shopper will immediately recognize the value offered by the Impala when they compare it to its imported competition. While a similarly-equipped Japanese sedan can be had for about the same money, most models fall a little short with regards to both passenger and cargo space verses the Impala. On the other hand, the Impala’s many European challengers will cost thousands more. As for its American counterparts, consumer selection may come down to long-held personal preferences with regards to personal history with each company, as all three offer quality products in this category. Luckily they all look distinctive, making individual selection a little easier.

Technical Data: 2003 Chevrolet Impala