   2014 Chevrolet Impala. Click image to enlarge |
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Manufacturer’s web site |
By Mike Schlee
Photos by Mike Schlee and courtesy General Motors
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2014 Chevrolet Impala
If the thought of an all-new Chevrolet Impala does not set your soul on fire, you can be forgiven. The last two generations of Chevrolet Impala have been large, uninspiring cars. They have sold well enough, though—the Impala was the #1 selling full-size vehicle in 2011, but this was mostly due to their fleet sales and those few but loyal full-size Chevrolet sedan buyers.
But for 2014, Chevrolet is injecting some real life into its full-size offering. Based on the Super Epsilon platform, this 10th generation Impala shakes the white-bread styling of the current Impala and avoids the what-were-they-thinking styling of the 8th generation. Yes, the 2014 model’s overall styling remains on the conservative side but is now very attractive. Chevrolet claims it is the first interpretation of their new design language and, in my opinion, so far so good. In LTZ form, the LED daytime running lights and HID projectors complement an elegant front end. Like any good Impala, there is a lot of chrome-painted plastic everywhere, but it has been applied tastefully. The only exterior styling cue I do not like is the exclusion of LED taillights; the Impala makes do with conventional bulbs.
Chevrolet also applied a long-overdue makeover to the interior of the new Impala. Emphasis was put on the ‘flowing’ lines of this new dash and it does indeed feature quite a few curves. The overall dashboard design is a bit boring, as is the gauge cluster and steering wheel, but all are simple in their layout and use. I have a feeling that the target Impala buyer will appreciate the familiarity and ease of use. The majority of the surfaces in the 2014 Impala are soft materials that feel very nice to the touch and look more expensive than they probably are. Finally, available on upper Impala trims will be the newest version of GM’s MyLink, operated through an eight-inch touchscreen display.
   2014 Chevrolet Impala. Click image to enlarge |
There will be two new engines for the Impala in 2014, and one carryover. Base model Impalas will come equipped with a 195-hp 2.5L four-cylinder engine, while optional powertrains will include the 182-hp 2.4L four-cylinder unit with eAssist, and the carryover 3.6L V6 that produces 303 hp. Both four-cylinder motors are equipped with active noise cancellation to ensure a quiet ride down the road. All engines will be mated to six-speed automatic transmissions sending power to the front wheels. Chevrolet expects the Impala to weight roughly 1,723 kg in LT trim with the V6 engine, which is not too bad for a full-size vehicle. Speaking of trims, the Impala will be available in the usual Chevrolet trims of LS, LT, and LTZ.
One of the obvious reasons someone would buy a full-size car is to transport people and things. The Impala has a spacious back seat that easily fit two grown adults during an impromptu test at the L.A. Auto Show preview. We didn’t have a chance to add a third person to the backseat, but the space left between the two of us when the doors were closed seemed more than ample for your average-sized human. The trunk is also cavernous and can swallow 532 L worth of luggage—as much as some compact crossovers. If more space is still needed, the Impala can tow 454 kg with either the 2.5L engine or the 3.6L unit.
Being that this could potentially be bought as a family vehicle, safety was given a lot of consideration during the Impala redesign. This means the Impala is available with all the latest electronic aids like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone warning, and rear cross traffic alert. As well, the Impala comes standard with 10 airbags.
When the Impala goes on sale early in 2013, it will be sold exclusively in Canada, the United States, and the Middle East. All Impalas will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck, Mich., plant and our own Oshawa, Ontario facility. Pricing for Canadian models is not yet announced, nor have fuel efficiency numbers. However, in the USA, pricing for an Impala LS starts at $27,535, which is a bump of $850 over the outgoing 2013 model. Cross your fingers that Canadian prices will stay close to their current levels ($28,300–$34,450 MSRP), reflecting the parity of our dollar these days.
