Say goodbye to the dull and milquetoast Chevrolet Impala – the all-new 2014 Impala brings back a level of substance and style to the storied nameplate – both of which it has in spades.
The front visage of the Impala draws heavily on the Chevrolet design renaissance led by the Camaro, with slim, sinister headlights and a low, rectangular grille centrally adorned with the golden bowtie. LTZ-trimmed Impalas receive LED running lights in the lower intakes and the same LED light rights around projector headlights just like the Camaro. The hood is long and low and helps to lend the Impala an aggressive and athletic look, despite the most powerful engine – General Motors’ well-known direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 – makes just 303 hp. Chevy will also be playing up the green card with the Impala – a 2.4-liter I-4 coupled with GM’s eAssist mild hybrid system that is expected to make 35 mpg on the highway. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter I-4; only front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic are available.
Inside, the cabin has been trimmed out a Chevrolet’s ebony/Mojave (black and caramel) leather interior. Soft-touch materials abound, and the cabin wears a futuristic design with a pod-like center console complete with an electronically sliding touchscreen, which hides a console with USB port. Sadly, because of a dramatically arcing roofline, rear seat accommodations feel snugger than would be expected in a large sedan with an almost-112-inch wheelbase.
Chevy has yet to announce pricing on availability for the 2014 Impala, but the current 2012 Impala retails starting at $26,585 including destination.
