2009 Chevrolet Impala Review

Chevrolet Impala Introduction :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala price at MSRP: $23,790 – $31,135 is a full size sedan car.  This model boasts of being voted in the top 10 cars in the U.S.  It offers a perfect combination of decent style, and comfort at an affordable price.

Chevrolet Impala Body style :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is crafted with a body style that lacks inspiration.  This new sedan is designed to offer modern looks. The twin grille openings along with the headlights that sweep back along the sides of the hood makes it look attractive. The five spoke aluminum wheel covers make is look sportier. The overall exterior look is distinct but it does not match the benchmark that is laid by its competitors like Honda Accord or Ford Fusion.

The interior of the Impala are also well designed and offers a pleasing look. The seats are crafted using shades of sandstone leather with French seams on the centre cushion. The seats are soft and adequately comfortable. The interiors are quite functional and straightforward. The controls are simply and logically laid out at an easy reach of the driver.

Chevrolet Impala Features :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala includes a variety of standard and optional features. This model offers four trim levels viz. LS, LT LTZ and SS. The standard features that are available in all the four trims are 16 inch wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, and a CD player with an MP3-player input. The LT version additionally includes remote start and dual zone climate control while the LTZ version adds leather bucket seats, Bose audio system, performance suspensions and an auto dimming rear view mirror.  The SS version is equipped with 18 inch wheels and with monochromatic exterior paint. The optional features which are available are anti lock brakes, satellite radio, CD changer and a sunroof.

There are some latest features like all wheel drive or a DVD- or hard-drive-based navigation system which are unavailable in the Impala but available with the other competitors.

Chevrolet Impala Performance :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is equipped with 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 211hp and 214 pound feet of torque in the base model while the LTZ model is equipped with 3.9 liter V6 engine that produces 233 horse power and 240 pound feet of torque. The premium SS model comes with 5.3 liter V8 engine that offers an outstanding 303 horsepower and 323 pound feet of torque. The engines were noted to be very sound with high rpm and speed, particularly the 5.3 V8 engine which offers a sophisticated performance. In the test drive that was conducted we found that the SS model completed the 0-60mpg drill in just 6.4 seconds and a quarter mile in 14.5 seconds.

All the models of 2009 Impala comes with a front wheel drive and a four speed automatic transmission that is found to be very responsive. However the competitors in the same class offers offer six speed automatic transmissions which could offer an additional score to its competitors.

The SS mode of the Impala offers a stable ride with good FE3 suspensions and firm steering. The brakes also perform an exemplary function by stopping the vehicle quickly and smoothly once the brakes are pressed. We found that 3.5 V6 and 5.3 V8 are equipped with AFM technology which deactivates half the cylinders while cruising and saves a considerable amount of fuel. Hence this model offers fuel economy with the 3.5 liter V6 offering 19mpg at city levels and 29 mpg on highways and 23mpg combined. The LTZ version offers 18 mpg at city levels and 29 mpg on highways and 23 mpg combined which was just 1mpg worse. The premium SS model offers 16 mpg city levels and 24 mpg on highways and 19 mpg combined.

Chevrolet Impala Quality :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala offers seating up to six adults pretty comfortably. The passengers can sit comfortably on the seats but we found the leg space to be mediocre. More leg space could have been appreciated. The materials used inside the cabin are also much averaged and will not be able to meet the expectation of the buyers. This model does not offer enough trunk space, as its peculiar shape, obstructs the loading of large cargo items. The automotive team found that in both the V6 models the interiors felt hushed and well isolated from the exterior noise.

The interior of the cabin have been improved in comparison to its older models but still lacks the finishes and style that its competitors offer. We found the interiors were not very comfortable for the driver also as the controls were not very organized and placed in a disoriented manner. The interiors were designed using hard plastic that offered a very mediocre ambience.Overall the 2009 Impala makes the cabin comfortable to sit but does not offer the ambience of a premium vehicle.

Chevrolet Impala Safety :

The 2009 Chevrolet Impala has been well designed keeping the safety of the passengers in mind.  This model is well equipped with numerous features such as front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction control, OnStar, tire pressure monitor. The most impressive safety feature of this Chevrolet car is that it includes is the child-safety seat attachments for the backseats. The stability control feature was available in the premium models.

During the various tests that were conducted to check the efficiency of these safety features, this model scored a complete five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts. In the side impact test it scored five stars for front passengers and four stars for the safety of passengers seated in second row.

Conclusion
The 2009 Chevrolet Impala is the most practical car available in the market with affordable price and pretty good comfort. The main highlights of this vehicle are it offers smooth and comfortable ride, it is largely spacious, it offers powerful and efficient engine choice. The main drawbacks that we noted were the leg space is very minimal, it does not offer navigation system, and the materials used inside the cabin are very cheap and does not provide a premium look.

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