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2008 Chevrolet Impala Safety Review

August 22, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front and side impact; four stars, rollover rating
NHTSA

Acceptable,” front impact; “good,” side impact
IIHS

airbags...tire-pressure monitoring...standard across the lineup
Car and Driver

enhanced antilock brakes and traction control
Cars.com

In general, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala gets strong, if not stellar marks for safety.

Crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resulted in the Impala Chevrolet getting five stars for front-occupant safety in head-on and side impacts for models equipped with side airbags. Rear seat occupants fared slightly worse in this respect; the NHTSA awarded the Impala Chevrolet four out of five stars here.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was less impressed with this Chevrolet 2008 model. In frontal offset crash testing, the Impala was given an "acceptable" rating, while side impact ratings were "good."

All 2008 Chevrolet Impala models come with dual front and side-impact airbags, as well as tire-pressure monitoring and OnStar emergency monitoring services. Every one of these Chevrolet 2008 vehicles also includes front seat belt pre-tensioners and latch child-safety seat attachments for the backseats. Car and Driver reports that "airbags [and] tire-pressure monitoring [are] standard across the lineup," but anti-lock brakes are not. All-disc anti-lock brakes and traction and stability control are standard on the higher trim levels, but cost extra on the entry-level LS and 1LT models.

Conclusion

Crash-test scores are respectable, but the Impala should carry anti-lock brakes on its standard equipment list.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front and side impact; four stars, rollover ratingNHTSAAcceptable,” front impact; “good,” side impactIIHSairbags...tire-pressure monitoring...standard across the lineupCar and Driverenhanced antilock brakes and traction controlCars.com In general, the 2008 Chevrolet Impala gets strong, if not stellar marks for safety. Crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration resulted in the Impala Chevrolet getting five stars for front-occupant safety in head-on and side impacts for models equipped with side airbags. Rear seat occupants fared slightly worse in this respect; the NHTSA awarded the Impala Chevrolet four out of five stars here. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was less impressed with this Chevrolet 2008 model. In frontal offset crash testing, the Impala was given an "acceptable" rating, while side impact ratings were "good." All 2008 Chevrolet Impala models come with dual front and side-impact airbags, as well as tire-pressure monitoring and OnStar emergency monitoring services. Every one of these Chevrolet 2008 vehicles also includes front seat belt pre-tensioners and latch child-safety seat attachments for the backseats. Car and Driver reports that "airbags [and] tire-pressure monitoring [are] standard across the lineup," but anti-lock brakes are not. All-disc anti-lock brakes and traction and stability control are standard on the higher trim levels, but cost extra on the entry-level LS and 1LT models. ConclusionCrash-test scores are respectable, but the Impala should carry anti-lock brakes on its standard equipment list.  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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