2010 Chevrolet Impala - Review

The Basics:

Chevrolet’s large sedan offering comes in the form of the front-wheel-drive Impala, which while having a comfortable ride, does not match up to the standards of refinement expected from a car of its class today.

The 2010 Chevrolet Impala won’t win any awards for styling; its exterior is quite bland and looks thoroughly outdated next to more modern large sedans like GM's own Buick LaCrosse or Ford's Taurus. Inside, the Impala appears dull and drab, and even though the instrument panel is cleanly designed, the interior trim could be described as more utilitarian than artistic.

Sadly, the 300-plus-horsepower V-8 SS model is no longer included in the 2010 Chevrolet Impala lineup, but thankfully, the model has other positives. Two engine configurations can be chosen with the 2010 Chevrolet Impala: the standard 3.5-liter V-6 found in base models and another 3.9-liter V-6 that comes standard in the top-of-the-line LTZ version only. A four-speed automatic transmission is the only option, which is disappointing against newer six-speed autos found in many rival models. Both engines in the Impala offer decent performance, with the only downside being a certain roughness while accelerating, though it must be noted that while cruising, the engines are rather smooth. The 3.5-liter unit is rated at 211 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque and returns a fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. The 3.9-liter mill produces 230 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque and returns fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The Impala does offer lots of comfort and a large, accommodating passenger cabin with a configuration that’s more useful than that of many other sedans. The backseat has ample headroom and legroom, along with a flip-and-fold rear seat that allows access to a covered storage area. The seats on the Impala, even though comfortable, are not suited for providing support during long hauls. The 2010 Chevrolet Impala offers a comfortable ride, with the FE1 suspension that's included with the 3.9-liter engine sacrificing hardly any ride comfort for the more responsive handling. Additionally, barely any road noise permeates to the cabin.

As a larger vehicle, the Impala should score well in crash tests, but unfortunately, it doesn’t stand out for crash-test protection. It does well with five-star frontal ratings and a mix of four- and five-star ratings in side protection from the federal government, but only an "acceptable" frontal rating, a "good" side-impact rating, and a "marginal" rear-impact rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) round of testing. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability control, and side curtain airbags, all for an affordable price.

The 2010 Chevrolet Impala range starts with the base LS, which gets keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, and a CD sound system, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, which is offered as standard across the range. The LT model is next up and adds more popular comfort and convenience equipment, while the range-topping LTZ comes with many of those same features as the LT, plus dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Bose stereo, and an alarm system.