2010 Chevrolet Impala

Inside, the Impala looks dull and drab, and even though the instrument panel is cleanly designed, the interior trim could be described as more utilitarian than artistic. Edmunds describes the interior of the Impala as "functional and straightforward," with "all the visual pizzazz of The Wall Street Journal." Car and Driver finds that the "overall look is pleasing enough, with a dark gray upper and lighter lower dash separated by faux wood, and the control layout is wonderfully simple and logical," but adds that "the featureless black plastic on the center stack and instrument cluster is almost insulting." Cars.com reports "nuance sandstone leather seating with French seams on the center cushions."

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 3.9-liter offers noticeably more torque off the line, which may be more useful with a full load. Car and Driver claims "the idea of the base 211 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 would drop our eyelids, [but] the 3.9-liter V-6 is not a bad choice in this car ... it feels strong, even at higher rpm and speed, and never sounds labored," adding that its "233 horsepower is enough to giddyap to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds." Edmunds states that it’s “plenty powerful.” ConsumerGuide finds that the "3.5 and 3.9-liter V6s provide similar acceleration in around-town driving, but the 3.9 has better passing response in the 35-55-mph range." All Impala engines are capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel.

Car and Driver reports that "a four-speed automatic is standard on all Impalas," and Cars.com tells us it "works with all engines." Edmunds notes, “All models employ front-wheel drive and a responsive four-speed automatic transmission.” Many competitors offer six-speed automatics in the class, however.

ConsumerGuide tests find that "an LT 3.5 averaged 24.2 mpg on conventional gasoline in mostly highway driving," which drops significantly using E85. The 3.9-liter V-6 uses Active Fuel Management technology to shut down one bank of cylinders when coasting or cruising at freeway speeds, which "increases gas mileage by as much as eight percent," reports Cars.com.

ConsumerGuide finds the Impala "stable with good steering feel," adding "stopping control is good." Edmunds claims "cushy suspension hurts handling dynamics.” According to Car and Driver, "the Impala soaks up bumps well" when traveling in a straight line, but "once the road starts to wind, the Impala dips, leans, and squats as though the road were one big yoga mat."

ConsumerGuide comments that the 2010 Chevrolet Impala’s "trunk is roomy, with a usefully flat floor," but "an oddly shaped opening hampers loading bulky objects"; in addition, "cabin storage is merely adequate." Cars.com reports "trunk space totals 18.6 cubic feet."

Edmunds points out that "the Impala's interior is a huge improvement over its predecessor and a nice enough place to spend time, but competitors score higher style and quality points." Car and Driver, on the other hand, is not particularly impressed with the interior materials and assembly, particularly the driver controls: "Although the redesign for 2005 greatly improved the interior, the Impala’s cabin materials still pale next to those of the Honda Accord, Toyota Avalon, and Hyundai Azera." ConsumerGuide more or less agrees, reporting that "cabin materials are serviceable, but Impala trails most like-priced rivals for quality feel ... hard plastic expanses dominate the cabin, giving it a budget look and feel."

The 2010 Chevrolet Impala provides a comfortable ride, and the FE1 suspension that's included with the 3.9-liter engine sacrifices hardly any ride comfort for the more responsive handling. Additionally, barely any road noise permeates to the cabin. ConsumerGuide reports that "wind rush and tire roar both intrude slightly."

Standard safety features on the 2010 Chevrolet Impala include anti-lock brakes, stability control, and side curtain airbags, all for an affordable price. The OnStar emergency communications system is also standard.

Edmunds reports that the Impala has plenty of power features, including air conditioning, tilt steering, a power driver’s seat, a CD player with an MP3-player input, and keyless entry. LT versions get remote start and dual-zone climate control, while the LTZ adds a tauter suspension, leather bucket seats, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Car and Driver points out that for those Impala passengers wishing to work on a laptop during extended road trips, Chevrolet offers "three power points" in the vehicle’s cabin: "two are tucked out of sight at the base of the center stack in the bottom of a deep storage tray, and a third is in the center console. This allows you to power the cell-phone charger, the radar detector, and the iPod." Kelley Blue Book is a fan of the "clever features, such as the auxiliary audio input jack,” and remarks that it goes a long way toward satisfying the kids on long trips.

Unavailable on the Impala are features such as a DVD- or hard-drive-based navigation system, a panoramic sunroof, all-wheel drive, and some other features found in the class leaders.