2012 Chevrolet Impala - Quality Review

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Shopping for a new Chevrolet Impala? MSRP: $25,760 - $30,300

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The 2012 Chevrolet Impala has a roomy interior, with plenty of space for people and cargo; but shoppers who are comparing the Impala to other rivals should be aware that it's an older design and hasn't been kept up-to-date in some respects.

Seating is one of those deficiencies. The Impala does offer plenty of interior room, along with a generally quiet interior, but the front seats are of the wide, flat variety, with no side bolstering and a mushy, springy feel. And while headroom and shoulder room are plentiful, there's not as much leg room inside as you might find in the Toyota Avalon or the Hyundai Azera.

It's the same story in the back seat of the Impala, though the back bench is one of the lower ones in its market segment; that means taller adults might fit quite well, but kids could feel a little claustrophobic.

Impala LT and LTZ models come with folding rear seats that open up the trunk to the cabin. The trunk is already one of the larger ones in this class, at 18.6 cubic feet, though the trunklid cut-out steals a little space.

Overall, the Impala's cabin is quiet and refined, but it's a halfhearted attempt in the details, straddling the line between commercial-grade and retail-grade. There's a simple, straight-across dash, unimpressive upholsteries, and somewhat drab look to it all--although Chevy has upgraded the faux-woodgrain trim and added a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to some models.