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2008 Chevrolet Impala Quality Review

August 22, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

offers tons of interior space
Car and Driver

seats have firmer cushions and increased lumbar support
Cars.com

SS models are surprisingly smooth
ConsumerGuide

hip and shoulder room plentiful, but legroom is mediocre
Edmunds

remains comfortable after...hours and hundreds of miles
Kelley Blue Book

With a large cabin and a much improved interior, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala seats up to six adults in reasonable comfort, though materials are still not up to the levels seen in a Honda Accord.

Car and Driver compares the front seats with their "favorite recliner," but says "the slightest hint of aggression will rock you out of your comfort zone." Cars.com reports "firmer cushions and increased lumbar support" in the SS. Edmunds feels “occupants will find hip- and shoulder room plentiful, but legroom is mediocre for a car of this size.”

The vast room leads to a trunk that’s equally useful. Cars.com states "trunk space totals 18.6 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide reports that this Chevrolet 2008 model's "trunk is roomy, with a usefully flat floor," but "an oddly shaped opening hampers loading bulky objects"; in addition, they note, "cabin storage is merely adequate."

The wide-open spaces inside are styled and finished better than in the previous Impala, but the Chevy sedan still runs behind the class leaders. Car and Driver is not particularly impressed with the interior materials and assembly, especially when it comes to driver controls: "Although the redesign for 2005 greatly improved the interior, the Impala’s cabin materials still pale next to those of the Honda Accord, Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Azera." ConsumerGuide expresses similar sentiments: "cabin materials are serviceable, but Impala trails most like-priced rivals for quality feel...hard plastic expanses dominate the cabin, giving it a budget look and feel." Edmunds says "the Impala's interior is a huge improvement over its predecessor and a nice enough place to spend time, but competitors score higher style and quality points."

In both 2008 Chevrolet Impala V-6 models especially, the interior is quite hushed and well isolated from road noise. ConsumerGuide feels "wind rush and tire roar both intrude slightly... in rapid acceleration, the V6s emit prominent growl," while "the V8 is subdued at cruise but has muscle-car rumble under throttle."

Conclusion

It’s roomy, but the cabin of the 2008 Chevrolet Impala isn’t the most refined place to sit.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:offers tons of interior spaceCar and Driverseats have firmer cushions and increased lumbar supportCars.comSS models are surprisingly smoothConsumerGuidehip and shoulder room plentiful, but legroom is mediocreEdmundsremains comfortable after...hours and hundreds of milesKelley Blue Book With a large cabin and a much improved interior, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala seats up to six adults in reasonable comfort, though materials are still not up to the levels seen in a Honda Accord. Car and Driver compares the front seats with their "favorite recliner," but says "the slightest hint of aggression will rock you out of your comfort zone." Cars.com reports "firmer cushions and increased lumbar support" in the SS. Edmunds feels “occupants will find hip- and shoulder room plentiful, but legroom is mediocre for a car of this size.” The vast room leads to a trunk that’s equally useful. Cars.com states "trunk space totals 18.6 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide reports that this Chevrolet 2008 model's "trunk is roomy, with a usefully flat floor," but "an oddly shaped opening hampers loading bulky objects"; in addition, they note, "cabin storage is merely adequate." The wide-open spaces inside are styled and finished better than in the previous Impala, but the Chevy sedan still runs behind the class leaders. Car and Driver is not particularly impressed with the interior materials and assembly, especially when it comes to driver controls: "Although the redesign for 2005 greatly improved the interior, the Impala’s cabin materials still pale next to those of the Honda Accord, Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Azera." ConsumerGuide expresses similar sentiments: "cabin materials are serviceable, but Impala trails most like-priced rivals for quality feel...hard plastic expanses dominate the cabin, giving it a budget look and feel." Edmunds says "the Impala's interior is a huge improvement over its predecessor and a nice enough place to spend time, but competitors score higher style and quality points." In both 2008 Chevrolet Impala V-6 models especially, the interior is quite hushed and well isolated from road noise. ConsumerGuide feels "wind rush and tire roar both intrude slightly... in rapid acceleration, the V6s emit prominent growl," while "the V8 is subdued at cruise but has muscle-car rumble under throttle." ConclusionIt’s roomy, but the cabin of the 2008 Chevrolet Impala isn’t the most refined place to sit.  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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