2014 Chevrolet Impala Leaps To Top Of Consumer Reports List

[frigilux]

The redesigned 2014 Impala has leapt to the top of Consumer Reports' ratings for large cars. This is good news for both GM and people who want to buy American. Overall score: 95 (out of 100 possible). Take that, Toyota Avalon![this post was last edited: 7/25/2013-15:24]

 

[mrb627]

CNET

Last night, I watched an on line review of this vehicle by CNET. They said it had much improved, but was no where near a drivers car. I believe they said it still feels like a good rental car. Still, any improvement is better than slipping in the ranks...

Malcolm

 

[dustin92]

I personally think it's ugly. I don't know what they improved, but I can't think of anything that I would change on my 2003 Impala. It is comfortable, powerful, reliable, and great on gas. Mine has almost 170,000 miles, and no signs of slowing down. I hope the new ones have some of the same quality mine has, I saw a 2004 on craigslist for sale with 315,000 miles. Not many cars ever see that kind of mileage.

 

[moparwash]

the world is ending!!!

Consumer Reports actually likes an american car?...they only like subarus..birkenstocks and granola bars

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, I read much have been improved. That is great news. I drove a 2011 one and must admit that was not a real driver's car, but it was very comfortable. I sure have a soft spot for the "Imp"!

 

[mixfinder]

Last Week

Peter and I rented an Impala on our California trip. Peter drives an Acura and when he pulled off the lot he announced he wasn't going to like it. When we merged on the freeway and he stepped on the gas and it took off like a shot. He had issues keeping with in the speed limit the time we had it. From a passenger's perspective, it was comfortable but every surface was hard. Not much was spent on the interior. It got excellent mileage.

 

[firedome]

it may be not a driver's car...

in the sense of a 3 series, or whatnot, but not everyone wants super sporty handling, with it's accompanying hard ride, noise, etc in a car, owners of larger cars particularly often want a smooth, luxurious and quiet ride, something that the big old rear drive V8 US cars of yore once excelled at. No, they weren't efficient, but they sure were comfortable, just the thing for someone with a more laid back driving style, too many people are in such a hurry! Juan Manuel Fangio, perhaps the greatest racing driver in history, was once asked by a Road & Track writer to name the car that he'd most like to drive across the USA, expecting to be told Ferrari 250GT or some such, and he replied "give me a Cadillac, with it's great ride, it's excellent Turbo Hydramatic, A/C and Cruise Control". The man knew what's what. Horses for courses, and all that.

 

[frigilux]

There have been extensive changes--from the interior to the suspension system--to the 2014 Impala. It was at or very near the bottom of CR's ratings prior to 2014.

 

[cadman]

I'm reminded of this, LOL...

Consumer Reports calls RAM pickup win “a major mix-up” – Autoblopnik

autoblopnik.com

 

[danemodsandy]

I've Gotten Scared:

Of highly touted "All-New" American cars. You know - the ones that all the auto mag writers love when they're new, but turn out to have "time bomb" problems a few years down the road, due to rushed-out designs that are produced by the lowest component bidder.

Just the list of my own missteps is impressive - a 1980 Chevy Citation (went from $1000 over list to "can't give 'em away" status in two years, due to QC problems), a 1989 Eagle Premier (too much drama to even catalogue here) and a 1996 Taurus (showroom floor to junkyard in 66K miles, due to a cooling system design flaw for which Ford would take no responsibility, and for which there was no cure).

I personally would want to see a few years of reliability before I even got interested.

 

[wayupnorth]

I just bought a new Chevy

My Great Uncle started the local Ford dealer, so we drove Ford's or walked. Had a very BAD experience with the new owner and switched. My old Siverado was 18 years old and I had enough with rust repair but that old girl NEVER once stranded me. I will upload pictures soon of the new Silverado. We are forcast for up to 5" of rain over the next 24 hours on ground saturate, Great!

 

[petek]

Just reading the online article and video from CR... It gets great reviews on the cushy  but controlled ride, like a luxury car, even better than some, and quiet, great styling,    a new standard for Chevrolet fit and finish,, good corning etc. etc..   Not recommended yet since it's new and no history. 

Looks like it might be a winner

 

[wayupnorth]

My new Silverado

If the new Impala can be as impressive as this new Silverado, Chevy has definitely got winners

 

[super32]

I'm glad to see the new Impala make some gains. While it was a "rental car" for so many years, people that had them said they lasted a fair amount of time/miles, also indicated in this post. I currently have 2 American made brands, not GM at this time but trying to keep it on this side of the pond.

 

[supersuds]

Agree about reliablilty

I bought an '09 Malibu late in 2008. I like it as a car, but it has had some major problems. Namely, the steering rack AND the engine had to be replaced (separate incidents). At 50,000 miles, a valve spring broke, the valve hit the piston, and the damage was so extensive the dealer said it needed a new engine. It was under warranty, but I was without a car for SEVEN WEEKS because of some supply glitch.

There have been other minor problems, such as door locks sticking.

That's not the kind of thing that makes me want to buy the first of this new model....

 

[arbilab]

Whose credibility is higher? Consumers or Chevrolet? Just something to ponder.

Impala was introduced near the height of my adolescent testosteroney curve. So on one hand I have a soft (hard?) spot for the marque. But on the other hand, GM marques today bear absolutely no resemblance to what they did when Ron Howard owned one in American Graffiti.

Well wait, they bear SOME resemblance. The suspended weight ahead of the front axle in the 1958 Impala was a dramatic design cue but tended to cause the frame to crack.