The 2014 Chevrolet Impala: What the critics say

Car and Driver

The new Impala is no longer just a car for rental fleets. “Like a scarred and once-proud prizefighter eyeing a big comeback,” Chevrolet’s largest sedan appears almost reborn as it re-enters the arena looking to win back old fans. “Envy-me exterior styling” replaces the “anodyne” looks of the outgoing ninth-generation model, and the Opel-designed chassis underneath helps deliver a level of agility formerly unknown to Chevy’s longest-lasting nameplate.

Motor Trend

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The “classy” new cabin feels “jam-packed with luxury features.” In all trim levels except the base model, an 8-inch touchscreen controls a “refreshingly intuitive” infotainment system that includes a nice surprise: The screen lifts, at the touch of a button, to reveal a code-locked vault for stashing valuables. This Impala feels bigger inside and is “considerably quieter” than its most direct competitor, the Ford Taurus.

Popular Mechanics

Though the Impala “will never be mistaken for a sport sedan,” it “never feels clumsy when pushed.” We’ll see if that holds true when more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines arrive later in the year, but the car’s V-6 is “a gutsy machine”. As much as we wish the smooth-operating six-speed transmission had two more gears, this Impala “excels at most of the tasks you could ask of it.” Besides, “it’s downright cool to look at.”