Best family car overall 2011 Hyundai Sonata *Est. $19395
Best family-car value 2011 Kia Optima *Est. $19200
Best large family car 2011 Buick LaCrosse *Est. $27130

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2009 Chevrolet Impala

*Est. $23,790 to $31,135

Reviewed

April 2009

Pros

Optional seating for six
Base engine's fuel economy
Acceleration
Long powertrain warranty
Fold-flat rear seat creates big cargo bay

Cons

Lower safety scores than rivals
Electronic stability control not standard
Chintzy interior materials
Less rear legroom than competitors
Depreciates quickly
Intrusive wind noise

Our Analysis

The Chevrolet Impala is built on an old platform, and reviews say it shows. Still, its conservative styling, traditional features (it's one of the few cars still offering a front bench seat) and good fuel economy make it appealing to some buyers -- including police agencies and car-rental companies, which have accounted for a large percentage of Impala sales over the years.

General Motors is selling fewer Chevy Impalas these days. Sales plunged 68 percent between February 2008 and February 2009. Meanwhile, sales have been relatively steady for the Chevrolet Malibu (*est. $21,605 to $26,880), a roomy midsize sedan that reviewers say is more stylish and modern than the Impala. "If the Malibu … represents the new GM, the Impala would seem to be a dinosaur," writes Ken Bensinger at the Los Angeles Times.

The Chevrolet Impala's cabin is mostly comfortable, although critics say it offers less legroom than other full-size sedans. Its interior plastics seem cheap, too -- "Playskool-quality," Edmunds.com says. One test Impala at ConsumerGuide.com squeaked and rattled. Testers notice a lot of wind noise. If you're considering upsizing to a Chevy Impala from a Honda Accord (*est. $20,905 to $28,955) or Toyota Camry (*est. $19,395 to $29,045), "you may find it difficult to give up the world-class refinement of the Toyota and Honda brands," say editors at Kelley Blue Book.

The Chevrolet Impala also gets lower crash-test scores than several other family sedans, including full-size rivals like the Toyota Avalon (*est. $27,845 to $35,185), Ford Taurus (*est. $25,170 to $37,170) and Mercury Sable (*est. $25,120 to $31,230). Electronic stability control comes standard on most newer competitors, but not the Impala. Experts also say the Impala depreciates quickly: Kelley Blue Book estimates that a new 2009 Chevrolet Impala will lose 63 percent of its value within one year.

The Chevy Impala comes in four trim levels, all of which utilize a four-speed automatic transmission. The entry-level Chevrolet Impala LS (*est. $23,790) comes with a 211-horsepower, flex-fuel-capable 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers adequate power, according to reviewers. An EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg in mixed driving (19 city/29 highway) matches that of the top-rated Avalon. Note that the 3.5-liter engine's fuel economy is only rated at 14 mpg city/22 mpg highway when running on E85 fuel.

Acceleration and handling improve with each step up in trim level, according to tests, but fuel economy suffers. The Chevy Impala LT (*est. $24,645) adds an optional 233-horsepower, 3.9-liter flex-fuel V-6 engine. On gasoline, fuel economy falls to 21 mpg mixed (17 city/27 highway). Again, the 3.9-liter V-6 takes a big fuel economy penalty when running on E85: just 13 mpg city/ 20 mpg highway. The Impala LTZ (*est. $29,630) adds a few features the LT doesn't have, including heated leather seats and a sport suspension.

The top-of-the-line Chevy Impala SS (*est. $31,135) uses a 303-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8. It discreetly shuts down four cylinders when they aren't needed, but fuel economy still drops to 19 mpg mixed (16 city/24 highway). The Impala SS does deliver extra power, but Car and Driver testers say it suffers from "terrible wheelspin and torque steer."

Consumer Reports provides the only full review we found that compares the Chevy Impala directly against its competitors. Reviews at Edmunds.com, ConsumerGuide.com, Kelley Blue Book and Car and Driver are also based on testing. Other reviews concentrate on single aspects of the Impala: safety, fuel economy or reliability. An article by the Los Angeles Times compares the Impala with the Chevy Malibu, speculating that General Motors may wind up axing the elderly Impala as part of its bailout restructuring plan.

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Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports tests the Chevy Impala (along with nearly every other family sedan on the market). In addition to comprehensive road testing, editors include helpful reliability predictions based on reader surveys from prior model years. The analysis here covers reliability, ride quality, handling and safety.

Review: Chevrolet Impala, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors evaluate the Chevy Impala on a number of measures, including safety, interior design and driving experience. They say the Impala is reasonably capable, but it doesn't quite measure up to the segment leaders in terms of quality and refinement.

Review: 2009 Chevrolet Impala Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

3. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com tests most vehicles on the market today, ranking each one against the average score for its class. The Chevy Impala rates just about average, with a particularly low score for interior fit and finish.

Review: 2009 Chevrolet Impala: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

4. Kelley Blue Book

This review is short, but it briefly compares the Chevy Impala with competitors from Toyota and Honda. Kelley Blue Book also predicts heavy depreciation for the 2009 Impala. Overall, editors find the Chevrolet Impala big and inexpensive but not as refined as its rivals.

Review: 2009 Chevrolet Impala Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

5. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver writes a very mixed Buying Guide review for the Chevy Impala. For every compliment (roomy, good value) there's a criticism (bland, "antiquated" powertrain). This short review consists of pros-and-cons-type lists.

Review: 2009 Chevrolet Impala, Editors of Car and Driver

6. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is not an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The Impala performs worse in front and rear crash tests than better family sedans, and electronic stability control is only optional.

Review: Large Family Cars, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

7. SaferCar.gov

The Chevy Impala earns good scores in crash tests at this site run by the NHTSA, with perfect five-star ratings in frontal crash tests and four stars for rollover potential and for rear passenger protection in a side crash.

Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov

8. FuelEconomy.gov

The Environmental Protection Agency lists fuel-economy estimates for most large cars here, including all trim levels of the Chevy Impala. The Impala's base engine/transmission combo matches the fuel economy of the top-rated Toyota Avalon, but gasoline mileage suffers with more powerful optional engines. Fuel economy when running the 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter flex-fuel engines on E85 fuel is substantially worse than the numbers they deliver on gasoline.

Review: 2009 Large Cars, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

9. J.D. Power and Associates

The Chevy Impala gets average dependability ratings in every category in this owner survey. The scores are based on 2009 feedback from owners who bought their cars in 2006. This chart ranks the Impala alongside 11 other large cars (note that several of the models shown are now discontinued). You can click on the Ratings tab to see how each model fares in other J.D. Power and Associates surveys.

Review: 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study -- Large Car, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates

10. Los Angeles Times

This article outlines why the Chevy Impala may not survive GM's government bailout -- and, in the process, it neatly outlines the Impala's pros and cons. It's a relative dinosaur, Ken Bensinger says, but its conservative styling, fuel economy and bench-seat option make it popular with fleet buyers and some retail customers.

Review: GM's Past and Present Collide in Sibling Rivalry, Ken Bensinger, Feb. 16, 2009

2011 Honda Accord Base MSRP: $21,380 to $29,630

11 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2012 Ford Fusion Base MSRP: $19,850 to $29,000

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Ford Taurus Base MSRP: $25,555 to $38,155

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Avalon Base MSRP: $33,195 to $36,435

7 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Camry Base MSRP: $20,195 to $29,845

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Base MSRP: $21,975 to $27,165