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2008 Chevrolet Impala Review

August 22, 2008

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

anonymous styling
Car and Driver

sedans exhibit a distinct front-end look
Cars.com

the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are more...stylish
Edmunds

a sleeker, more contemporary appearance
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Chevrolet Impala’s ubiquitous, nondescript styling is noted by reviewers across the Web.

The Impala’s "anonymous styling," as Car and Driver calls it, might have been overlooked in recent years. Today, though, sedans like the Honda Accord, the Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet’s own Malibu have set a new standard for family sedans--one the Impala can’t match. That said, the generous headlights that sweep back along the sides of the hood and its unique twin grille openings lend the Impala a hint of modernity. Edmunds says the Impala received a “classy exterior freshening” two years ago, discarding the “old electric-stove taillamps that looked more GE than GM.” For a bit more visual excitement, there’s an SS version; Kelley Blue Book says this model sports a rear spoiler and five-spoke aluminum wheel covers for those who appreciate a racier appearance. Cars.com says the SS "exhibits a distinct front-end look, led by a dual-split grille that contains a black-diamond crosshatch pattern."

The cabin is less inspiring. Edmunds calls the interior "functional and straightforward," with "all the visual pizzazz of The Wall Street Journal." Car and Driver says that the "overall look is pleasing enough, with a dark gray upper and lighter lower dash separated by faux wood, and the control layout is wonderfully simple and logical," but adds that "the featureless black plastic on the center stack and instrument cluster is almost insulting." Cars.com reports "nuance sandstone leather seating with French seams on the center cushions."

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet Impala is inoffensive in all directions.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:anonymous stylingCar and Driversedans exhibit a distinct front-end lookCars.comthe Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are more...stylishEdmundsa sleeker, more contemporary appearanceKelley Blue Book The 2008 Chevrolet Impala’s ubiquitous, nondescript styling is noted by reviewers across the Web. The Impala’s "anonymous styling," as Car and Driver calls it, might have been overlooked in recent years. Today, though, sedans like the Honda Accord, the Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet’s own Malibu have set a new standard for family sedans--one the Impala can’t match. That said, the generous headlights that sweep back along the sides of the hood and its unique twin grille openings lend the Impala a hint of modernity. Edmunds says the Impala received a “classy exterior freshening” two years ago, discarding the “old electric-stove taillamps that looked more GE than GM.” For a bit more visual excitement, there’s an SS version; Kelley Blue Book says this model sports a rear spoiler and five-spoke aluminum wheel covers for those who appreciate a racier appearance. Cars.com says the SS "exhibits a distinct front-end look, led by a dual-split grille that contains a black-diamond crosshatch pattern." The cabin is less inspiring. Edmunds calls the interior "functional and straightforward," with "all the visual pizzazz of The Wall Street Journal." Car and Driver says that the "overall look is pleasing enough, with a dark gray upper and lighter lower dash separated by faux wood, and the control layout is wonderfully simple and logical," but adds that "the featureless black plastic on the center stack and instrument cluster is almost insulting." Cars.com reports "nuance sandstone leather seating with French seams on the center cushions." ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet Impala is inoffensive in all directions.  2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: "anonymous styling" Cars.com: " sedans exhibit a distinct front-end look" Edmunds: "the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are more...stylish" Kelley Blue Book: "a sleeker, more contemporary appearance" The 2008 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The competition to the 2008 Chevrolet Impala follows a wide range of styles, but they're all very well-equipped models with spacious interiors. Among them, the Dodge Charger is the sportiest and most attention-getting, but its backseat is smaller, and with rear-wheel drive, it's arguably not as practical. The Charger R/T has a better-rounded performance-driving experience than the Impala SS, though. The Ford Five Hundred is the safety champion, with enviable crash-test results and Volvo-engineered platform, but like the V-6 Impala, it's not especially distinctive or fun to drive. Next to the rest of the models, the Impala doesn't particularly stand out for safety. The same goes for the Azera and Amanti, which have a lot of features for the money. The Avalon offers the most features in the class and especially impressive, rich materials inside.

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See the Chevrolet Impala in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Jeanne #1, Posted: 8/27/2008

    owner

    My 2008 Impala is becoming the car of my nighmares. The wind noise is unbelievable. The dealer says we can send it to a body shop to have the doors adjusted. Should a new vehicle need to have the doors adjusted!!?? The door molding was coming off, how do they fix it, with double sided tape. The leather in the back of the drivers side seat buckled after owning the vehicle for one month. I think I need to find a better quality maker.

  2. By Larry #2, Posted: 6/4/2009

    I have owned my 2008 Impala LS for a year now and I couldnt be happier. I have the flex fuel and am getting in the mid to high 30's on thr HWY, and if its even slightly downhill its in the 40's or higher. The quality seems to be excellent. I have one complaint, and it is that I didnt buy the LT, LTZ, or SS. I really want the LT spoiler and will order one soon.

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