2000 Chevrolet Impala Review (continued)
Add your own review or comments

Driving Impressions

The new Impala feels like a big luxury car when compared with a Ford Crown Victoria or Toyota Avalon. The Crown Victoria feels unrefined when you drive the cars back-to-back. The Toyota feels bland by comparison.

Handling is surprisingly quick and sharp in the Impala. This is not the wallowing live-axle barge from the 1960s. The Impala uses suspension and mounting structures that are different than the Grand Prix's, as are the driving characteristics. The LS we tested felt particularly good, with its quicker steering ratio. Both models, however, get a strut brace in front, as well as anti-roll bars front and rear. This hardware is usually found only on sports sedans. The engine cradle and dashboard structure lock the steering shaft down rigidly, so there are no excess wiggly movements. Chevy says a new link between the steering column and the steering gear contributes to better on-center feel at the wheel. On the road, the steering feels good, better than a Toyota Avalon, which is known to be a bit numb.

Acceleration is brisk, though there's still an ever-present reminder that this is a front-wheel-drive car: Torque-steer rears its ugly head during hard acceleration, especially with the more powerful 3.8-liter engine.

Since you can get the big 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 in the lower-priced of two available models, Impala becomes the least expensive GM car powered by this gutsy pushrod engine. Chevy claims it will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is quick for this class. The police package cars will get the higher-ratio gearing from the Grand Prix, and should be quicker still.

The view out of the Impala is good, and particularly helpful are the small quarter windows that split the rear pillars. The creases on the hood give you a good perspective for judging where the front of the car is. The rear decklid, however, seems high, so care is required when backing up.

The brake pedal feels firm and responsive. Braking is smooth and steady, and we applaud Chevy's decision to use discs at all four wheels, even on the base model.