2020 Chevrolet Impala

The 2.5L inline-four puts out 197 hp, which an optional 3.6-liter V-6 upgrades on with an output of 305 hp. Front-wheel-drive and six-speed automatic transmission are standard all over the lineup. The 2020 Chevrolet Impala aces in terms of the interior. Both space and build finish gives you a feeling of a full-sized luxury sedan. Even though it faces some competition from the Buick LaCrosse and the Honda Accord, both of which feel more refined, they can't beat the Impala for its value.

The Chevrolet Impala is available in three trim levels. Two engines are available. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder (197 horsepower, 191 pound-feet of torque) is standard on the LS and LT trim levels, while a 3.6-liter six-cylinder (305 hp, 264 lb-ft of torque) is standard for the Premier and optional on the others. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission and are only available with front-wheel drive.

The LT variant sells for a $28,000 price tag is one of the lowest in the class, and you get lots of standard features for that price. However, the advanced safety features are reserved only for the top-level trims.

We Recommend

If you have to choose one, the LT variant hits the sweet spot. It comes equipped with a safety suite from the top variant and Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system. Impala’s V6 powertrain is much better than the standard 4-cylinder for just $1000 extra and gets nearly the same fuel economy. A few more options and you may not even cross the $32,000 mark.

"What the Impala has in spades, though, is that smooth large-car feeling on the road. … Perhaps the more significant issue is that midsize sedans, such as the excellent new Honda Accord, rival the Impala for space and refinement at a much lower starting price" - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The 2020  Impala offers two engine choices. The LS and LT trims use a 197-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4. The other 3.4 liter V6 which puts out 305 hp is standard on the LTZ variant while optional on the other trims. Both the powertrains deliver ample grunt for city driving and highway passes. The extra power from the V6 is helpful in taking off from a stop when the car is loaded with passengers.

Regardless of engine, the Impala uses a 6-speed automatic transmission to transferring power to front wheels. Shifts are smooth and quick in the automatic mode. You can also use the manual shift button which is placed above the shift lever.

Chevy Impala produces the highest number of horses with its V-6 powertrain followed by Dodge Charger which puts out 300 hp. The Kia Cadenza takes the third spot, with the Ford Taurus producing the lowest power output of all.

Acceleration

Chevrolet Impala with its V6 engine can jump to 60 mph from a standstill in just 6.7 seconds. The four-cylinder engine is much slower to attain 60 mph mark. It does get up to highway speed rapidly and the shifts are smooth. The throttle response is adequate and you never feel that it can run out of grunt.

You aren't going to win any drag races if you show up with an Impala. Still, it measures up quite well to other large sedans in terms of performance. The 15-second quarter-mile drag time is average for such a car. It won't save you any less on emission taxes as well.

Ride and Handling

Impala’s performance from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is fine for commuting, but the much-required power for passing highway traffic comes from the 3.6-liter V6. The 6 speed CVT transmission shifts seamlessly through all the gears and powers the front wheels. Chevy’s electronically assisted steering wheel is pleasant and regardless of speed, it is responsive on corners. The Impala’s upright seating position gives you a commanding view of the road. Although the Impala is a full-size sedan, it is easy to maneuver and park. The torque vectoring system can split the power between the front and rear wheels under different circumstances.

This is a luxurious, comfortable and quiet car with a ride that’s plush without being flimsy on higher velocities. The powerful V6 is a joy to drive in any situation, whether you want to merge in traffic or climb a mountain. Put the pedal to metal and Impala will screech tires to reach 60 mph in no time. Remember, not so with the standard inline 4. The suspension is well-tuned to absorb bumps and cabin remains noiseless. Impala Premier model is equipped with the optional 20-inch aluminum wheels sure look terrific, but there is a penalty to be paid in terms of ride quality and interior noise.

Braking

The pedal feel is slightly soft, but it's easy enough to modulate around town. A panic stop from 60 mph takes 120 feet, which is average for this class of vehicle. Emergency stops are straight and performance remains consistent. 

The standard four-cylinder engine of the 2020 Impala gets an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are about average for the class. The gutsy V6 is only slightly less efficient, delivering 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The V6 would cost you about $250 more per year in fuel than the four-cylinder. Given its dimensions and weight, the Impala is reasonably fuel-efficient.

“Like the classic Chevy bearing the same name, it offers comfort and roominess at an affordable price” - Car and Driver

Seating and Comfort

Chevrolet Impala’s interior is engulfed with a mix-match of textures, lines, and materials. The shape of the sweeping dual-cowl dashboard is lovely which swoops into the door panels. Its 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment sits high on its dash with nicely laid controls beneath it. The audio system has a hidden storage compartment behind the LCD screen.

Chevy’s front seats are comfortable with an ample amount of support and offer eight-way power adjustment. The back seat is wide and well-shaped which can fit an average individual well. There is a generous amount of legroom and headroom with a spacious cabin. The dual-zone climate control system works well and is suited for all types of climates.

Chevy Impala takes the crown when it comes to cabin space followed by Dodge Charger GT. Ford Taurus and Kia Cadenza take the third and fourth spot respectively.

Infotainment System

The Impala features GM's OnStar standard 8-inch touchscreen display. It is large for the class and quick to respond. In many aspects, it surpasses other American sedans for its quality. The system still uses the Sync3 infotainment system, which is easy to use but is starting to show its age. All trims have voice control and navigation included. Some other infotainment features include:

• Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi
• Apple CarPlay 
• Android Auto 
• Available Wireless charging 
• Optional six USB ports
• Available Chevrolet Mobile App Compatibility

Cargo Capacity

The Impala aces in cargo capacity with its gargantuan trunk, nearly dwarves every class rival. You will have no issues in loading large suitcases or other belongings since the trunk gives a wide berth to load in any luggage. The Impala's second row folds down nearly flat in a 60/40 configuration to let you haul long items. The boot lid can be operated remotely, although the Impala does no feature a kick-to-open feature.

To be more precise, you can fit 18.8 ft. cube of shopping bags and other stuff in this new Chevy. It has the most amount of cargo space compared to its competitors. Even with such a massive trunk, it falls short of the Ford Taurus, which can carry 20.1 cubic feet of cargo with all the seats up.

Interior Features

• Driver and passenger seat with power adjustable lumbar support
• Rear ventilation ducts
• 4 one-touch power windows
• Cruise control
• Cruise control
• Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel
• Interior air filtration
• 100 watts stereo output
• Alloy wheels

"As SUVs continue to grow in popularity, full-size sedans are having a harder time attracting an audience. In the case of the … Chevrolet Impala, however, luring in potential customers isn't all that difficult, especially when one considers the tremendous value offered by Chevy's longest running sedan." -Autotrader

Dimension and Weight

The 2020 Impala looks striking from every angle with classic lines designed to impress. It is a full-size sedan with 201.3 inches in length and 58.9 inches of height. It has a particularly large front, and rear overhangs accentuate its proportions. Two character lines – one from the headlamp to the rear door handle and the other one that swoops up and over the rear wheel create a beefy look.

The chiseled hood leads into a sweptback windshield and rooftop. The rear is intricate with a mixture of surfaces. With its tastefully designed grille housed between big circular LED lamps looks prominent. The Premier trim is equipped with the optional 20-in aluminum wheels that sure look terrific. It was last redesigned in the year 2014 and isn’t likely to look dated any time soon.

Chevy Impala cast the largest shadow with 201 inches of length which is equal to Ford Taurus. The Dodge Charger takes the second spot in terms of size followed by Kia Cadenza. The Chrysler 300 may be a shorter car, but its longer wheelbase enables it to remain more stable around corners. Its superior suspension also gives it an edge in soaking up bumps more effectively.

Exterior Features

• Heated side mirrors
• 18-inch standard alloys
• 19-inch optional aluminum alloys
• 20-inch optional aluminum alloys
• Chrome trim badges
• Halogen headlamps
• Optional High-Intensity Discharge headlamps (HID)
• Front intermittent wipers
• Black Impala emblems
• Optional Twin-chrome exhausts

The massive body of the Chevy Impala does much to improve its occupant's safety. It has received near-perfect scores from all federal vehicle safety authorities. The NHTSA gave the 2020 Chevrolet Impala its highest overall rating of five stars. The IIHS gave its highest grade of 'Good' in almost all categories. The car missed a perfect scoresheet by underperforming in rollover tests and poor headlight performance in its lower trims.

The 2020 Chevrolet Impala now gets the much needed rearview camera as standard. Aside from the standard safety equipment, the Impala can also be equipped with following advanced active safety features and driver assistance systems:

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Electronic Stability Control
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Rear Park assist
• Lane change alert and lane keep assist
• Panic Brake Assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Forward collision warning
• Adaptive cruise control

Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus is offered in two engine options, both the 288-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and the optional 240-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four drive the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the V-6, something that is completely absent on the Chevy Impala. The Taurus offers impressive gas mileage and handling but is smaller than the Impala. The design looks aged, which has certainly put Taurus in serious doubt for its future. The Impala has an edge in terms of overall performance. The size of the chevy also grants it an edge in passenger and cargo space.

Dodge Charger

The Charger is not a car for sensible people as it is obscenely fast, makes a loud noise, and comes in quirky colors. The Charger can be equipped with several powertrain options ranging from 292-hp V6 to 485-hp Hemi V-8. Dodge also offers its big sedan with an AWD option. The Impala is much suited for people who desire luxury with a pinch of sportiness, while the performance enthusiast can go well with the Charger.

Kia Cadenza

The Cadenza is powered by a 3.3 liter V6 sourced from the Hyundai Genesis sports car with 290 horsepower under the hood, there's an 8-speed automatic transmission which means it can leave the boring Avalon in its dust and settle for a position right next to the Impala in terms of performance. The interior is very well designed with shapes and lines, and feel more German than Korean, to be honest. It has managed to score better than the Impala in IIHS safety ratings as well. Nevertheless, if you are truly looking for luxury at a value, the Chevrolet Impala is the superior choice.

The Chevrolet Impala comes with attractive styling, dynamic driving experience and a long list of standard features. The inline four-cylinder gets the job done and V6 offers a lot more acceleration. Impala’s ride is comfortable with a serene cabin and an intuitive infotainment system. If you desire a car with surplus luxury and a bit of sporty character, then nothing suits you better than the Impala.

FAQs

Where is the 2020 Chevrolet Impala built?

The Chevrolet Impalas that are available in the US can belong to any of the two GM production plants. The GM-Hamtramck factory in Detroit, Michigan or the GM Oshawa factory in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.

Is the Impala a muscle car?

The Chevrolet Impala is often credited with starting the muscle car era. The first Impala was a Bel Air that had a bigger 348 hp V8. However, the Impala has moved towards the luxury full-sized sedan category of late. And it is all the much better for it.

Is GM going to discontinue the production of Chevy Impala?

GM announced that it was going to discontinue the production of several of its cars as part of its cost-cutting measures of 2020. For now, the Impala is not going to be a part of the execution. A 2020 version will see production in the last quarter of 2020.

Which car is bigger, the Malibu or the Impala?

The Chevrolet Impala is undoubtedly the bigger car. It has a longer wheelbase, more passenger space, and offers a bigger trunk. Moreover, the Impala is wider and has a higher roof over the ground as compared to the Malibu.