Full-size sedans have left the land-yacht past behind--today, they're more like the urbane cousins to their suburban family-sedan kin.
The Impala has a companion piece in the Buick LaCrosse, built from the same gear but fitted with a somewhat richer interior that nets a little less user-friendly space.
The Hyundai Azera's more stylish than ever, and it's also a much better performer, with more adept steering and ride control, with every tech gadget you'd find in a competitive luxury sedan.
The Ford Taurus gets retouched for the 2013 model year with MyFord Touch controls and a new turbo four powertrain; the rear seat's a bit tight, though, and it feels thick and a little ponderous.
Nissan's Maxima carries over the energy of the Altima, which gets drained by a CVT and a middling interior.
Finally, the Toyota Avalon takes an interesting tack for 2013 with a sleek new body, user-adjustable driving feel and a cabin that caters to higher-end impulses, though it's not quite as confident on challenging roads as the Chevy.
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 2014 Chevrolet ImpalaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Buick LacrosseBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford TaurusBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Hyundai AzeraBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Nissan MaximaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Toyota AvalonBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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It took a while to get here, but the 2014 Chevy Impala fast-forwards over the past with fine handling and even better styling. |
Great on gas or long on comfort and refinement--the Buick LaCrosse can be either, though we'd steer you toward the premium editions. |
The 2014 Ford Taurus continues in its role of luxury and technology flagship for the Ford brand, but it remains compromised by its lack of rear-seat headroom and legroom |
The 2014 Hyundai Azera is a big, comfortable sedan that offers serious design appeal and a luxury-car ambiance. |
The 2014 Nissan Maxima isn't the enthusiast car it claims to be, but it is a more luxurious, more stylish option than many of its competitors. |
The 2014 Toyota Avalon is far more youthful than it used to be, with a more responsive, sophisticated personality, an excellent interior, and a 40-mpg Hybrid version -- plus of course top-notch comfort all around. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $26,860 | $33,535 | $26,780 | $31,000 | $31,290 | $31,590 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 19 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas I4 | Gas/Electric I4 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Regular Unleaded V-6 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Large Cars | Midsize Cars | Large Cars | Large Cars | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan LS w/1LS | 4-Door Sedan Base FWD | 4-Door Sedan SE FWD | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 3.5 S | 4-Door Sedan XLE (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Buick Lacrosse | 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Ford Taurus | 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Hyundai Azera | 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Nissan Maxima | 2014 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2014 Toyota Avalon | |
