Used 2020 Chevrolet Impala LS for sale 

2020 Chevrolet Impala is offered in two distinct trims which are differentiated by features. The LT trim starts at $31,620 and Premier trim at $36720. The LS trim has been discontinued for 2020 which also clears the slate of the 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine. This is a welcome move from Chevy as the 2.5L engine was uninspiring and the sales figure showed that the V6 variant accounted for almost 90 % of the overall sales.

Now, both trims come powered with a punchy 3.6L V6 engine which pumps out an exhilarating 305 HP and 264 lb-ft. The power is transferred to the front wheels via a 6-Speed Automatic transmission which helps to smooth out the power delivery.

Both the trims are well equipped but Premier has the edge with more active safety features and standard Convenience and Driver Confidence Package.

Chevrolet has added three optional packages which give the flexibility to choose between creature comfort and driving aids. The LT Convenience package and Driver confidence package comes in as standard for the Premier trim.

Which trim of the 2020 Chevrolet Impala should you go for?

We would recommend you to go for the Premier trim. The $5,100 premium which you pay for the top trim is worth every penny. It gets added benefit of the much-needed safety features which are absent on the LT trim. It even gets a Bose centric premium audio system with an 8-inch screen that has preloaded navigation software. A host of premium interior trims are available in the Premier trim which gives it an upscale feeling and is much more comfortable.

Chevrolet has parted ways with the mediocre 2.5L inline-four engine which was earlier available. Now, the whole line up has a singular engine; the robust 3.6L V6 which pumps out a much superior 305 horses and 264 twisties. This power is transferred to the front wheels only via a six-speed automatic transmission.

The power delivery is linear and prompt which makes it a breeze to drive in towns in spite of the pompous engine performance. The power helps us forget the sheer size of the vehicle which we would get to in a moment.

If we talk about numbers then, the Chevy just blasts off way ahead. Toyota Camry is the only one in the lot which manages to come close to the Chevy Sedan. But unfortunately, that intimacy comes in for $2830. Nissan Altima and Honda Accord don’t even touch the horizon, making Impala, the undisputed one in sheer power.

How quick is the chevy off the line?

The brawny V6 engine helps propel this sedan from a standstill to 60 MPH in 6.2 seconds. The close gearing also helps reduce the proposed time as well. The torque builds up in the rev band which helps the car achieve momentum, thus preserving traction.

We believe that Chevy could have made it an all-wheel-drive which would have translated to better acceleration and cornering control. ut we are to be content with a front-wheel-drive here which hugely takes away from the character of the V6.

Toyota with its V6 comes behind the Chevy in terms of quickness. Surprisingly the Altima doesn’t fare much far behind the Camry in spite of its smaller 2.0L inline-four engine. The 6-speed automatic transmission in the impala handles the bruteness of the V6 with ease.

How well does the Impala handle?

The Impala drives maturely with no jerky situations which is expected from an energetic engine like the one in it. The power is linearly divided across the rev band which helps it stay calm and composed. The steering is direct and accurate, thanks to the electronically controlled Steering column. The suspension is firm which helps keep the car composed and absorbs bumps easily. This keeps vibrations from creeping into the cabin.

The steering, however, has a drawback due to its electronic architecture. It takes away the feel of the steering thus making it bland. In other words, you don’t get the weight of steering while maneuvering the vehicle and makes the feedback nil. But then again, this sedan is built for comfort and not for a spirited feel. It reacts calmly to circumstances and doesn’t make its size felt.

The braking is linear for Impala with the pedal being on the softer side. The brake pedal is ergonomic which helps the driver get used to quickly. The big brakes do a decent job of bringing the large sedan to stop safely and quickly. Electronic brake distribution helps the brake act swiftly and equally on all four wheels, thus avoiding slippage.

Chevy has the biggest brakes of the lot and it makes sense as it has the most powerful engine as well. Honda comes in second followed by the Camry at third. But as the figures are not out yet for the competition, we won't be able to come to a decisive conclusion.

Fuel efficiency is a bummer here, as the V6 is destined to be a gas guzzler. But Chevrolet has managed to chuck a few extra miles to a gallon with clever engineering. With a combined economy of 22 MPG, it’s not far behind its line-4 counterparts, which is impressive.

This makes the impala in the above-average category and it does a decent job when taking into account the dimensions and weight, which tops the list. 

Nissan Altima manages to top the list with a combined 29 miles to a gallon. This is mostly because of the CVT gearbox which is aggressively coded for maximum efficiency. Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are tied behind the Altima. The Camry has surprised us with its efficiency in spite of having a V6 under the hood. Chevy can learn a thing or two from Toyota.

The Impala is built to be chauffeured. The rear seats have the best space in its class. Both rows of seats are well cushioned and provide ample under-thigh and bolster support. The setup makes for a perfect family car and every other person would love the rear seats more. Ambient lighting is available on the top trim which improves the experience.

That being said, there is a big jump in the quality of materials used in the interior. There is no consistency as it changes from very luxurious to cheap plastics very fast. The aging cabin is also a hindrance in providing the experience which it is trying to. The top trim gets piped leather is a soothing feature and long rides are as comfortable as it gets.

The rear seats are so well cushioned that they don't fold perfectly flat and thus usage of it as a cargo extension would be questionable. Nevertheless, we don’t think any of the customers would do so. If you look at the sheer dimensions, Chevy takes it again as the largest of the lot. The rear seats are also equally gallant, Nissan Altima being the only one that comes close and even provides better shoulder space. But overall, you would love being chauffeured in the Impala.

How intuitive is the infotainment system?

Chevrolet has its MyLink infotainment system which is feature-rich and the best part is that the minimal interface functionality makes it less distracting for the occupants. Both the systems available are desirable- the 6-speaker standard and the upgraded 11-speaker Bose System.

The top trim gets navigation sport with real-time weather updates which are very helpful. There are a plethora of other features that make it desirable.

Infotainment Features

• Bose Centerpoint surround sound audio system
• Bluetooth capable
• USB port in console
• 11-speaker system
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
• Steering wheel mounted controls
• Sirius XM Radio
• 8-inch diagonal screen interface

How much cargo does can it gulp in?

Chevy has slapped on a big trunk which gives the largest cargo space in its class. At 18.8 cubic feet, we believe you would be gone for a long holiday, let alone the weekend!

The rear seats also fold down to make even more space, but that is seldom necessary. The interior is also filled will cubby holes for storage which establishes the Impala supremacy in cargo space.

Honda Accord comes close with 16.7 cubic feet and that would be because it is built cleverly with the utilization of its low center of gravity. This helps it to make a deeper trunk. Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry tie in here as well.

Creature comforts on offer

• Wireless Charging
• Universal Home Remote
• Leather-wrapped gear knob
• Perforated leather interior trim
• Power driver and front passenger seats
• 12-volt auxiliary power outlet
• Manual tilt and telescopic steering column
• Keyless start
• Heated driver and front passenger seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rear window defogger
• Intuitive Driver information screen

The 2020 Impala looks sharp in all aspects and we sometimes can’t unsee the fact that it looks like the Malibu’s elder brother. It actually would fit that description as people who want an elevated experience than the Malibu, vouch for it within the family. It doesn’t resemble a bit with its predecessor, 1964 Chevy Impala which was a masterpiece. Let’s just say that age and restrictions got the better of it.

The chiseled bonnet aligned with the windshield which then continues in a flow towards the rear. The LED headlamps look prominent and give it a road presence. The top trim comes with 19-inch aluminum alloys with the option of a 20-inches. We would prefer to with the 19-inch ones as it provides a balanced ride while being a looker. The 20-inches are good but bring in a bit of vibration into the cabin.

The Chevy tops its class with its long body and the longest wheelbase. Others are more or less of the same structure with similar dimensions. It’s a handicap match here with the Chevy way ahead of the others.

Highlights of the exterior shell

• 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Front Intermittent wipers
• HID Headlamps
• LED Daytime running lamps
• Heated side mirrors
• Twin chrome exhausts

Chevrolet has not invested in the safety features as much as the other departments. There are certain features but most of the active safety features come in as options which aren’t the case with its competition.

Nevertheless, the Premier trim provides a satisfactory set of active safety features but we believe that Chevy could have done better. It has managed to bag bear perfect scores from all federal safety authorities and the IIHS gave its highest grade of “Good” in almost all categories. The various life-saving features on offer are listed below.

• 10 airbags
• Panic Brake Assist
• Electronic Traction control
• LED Daytime running lamps
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
• OnStar Chevrolet Connected Services
• Rear Park Assist
• Rear Vision Camera
• All position 3-point Seat Belts
• StabiliTrak-Electronic Stability Control System with traction Control
• Road emergency toolkit

Chevrolet Impala vs Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima is a wholesome car in this segment but it doesn’t stand up to the sheer value for money which the Chevy Impala offers. It offers a brawny V6 which produces more power and torque at $3560 less. But then it’s all about sheer power. The Altima shines elsewhere with better handling character and a well laid out modern interior. So, if you are all about performance nothing else matters then the Chevy will cater well. But if you want a well-matured ride which has a balanced character, then Nissan Altima is the way to go. You get the added reliability of a fine machine.

Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Camry

Toyotas are utterly reliable which embraces performance and practicality together with ease. The only other V6 of the lot, it is shy by just 4 horses. Toyota is not as spacious as the Chevy but the interior quality is much better. The Camry provides much better fuel efficiency. So the bottom line here is that if you want a powerful and spacious family sedan which can carry much more than your weekend luggage then Impala will fit perfectly. But if reliability and fuel efficiency are on top of your priority list then Toyota Camry makes a better choice which is well worth the extra $ 2830.

Chevrolet Impala vs Honda Accord

The only car in the list which costs less than the Chevy Impala without compromising much on the performance. It is powered by a smaller lighter engine which makes the whole car lighter than the Chevy. This makes it more nimble and responsive. And as peppy the Hondas are, it doesn’t make you feel less power while driving it. The interior is much more modern than the Chevy and comes with more features as well. Comfort is but a downside as it doesn’t offer you the sheer relaxed nature which the seating of the Impala does. If comfort and a relaxed ride is all that’s on your mind then go no further than the Impala. But if you are ready to sacrifice a bit on the comfort front then the Accord treats you with a much more focused, fun to drive and wholesome ride.

The Chevrolet Impala is a good car, no doubt but its aging formula and biased character make us question its credibility. There are many new players now which provide much more rounded experience which is missing in the Impala. We surely miss the car which popularised the American Muscle revolution. But 2020 is nothing like its predecessor. It is now subtle with sharp lines and a ride that is comfortable for families and long rides. We believe that 2020 would be the last year for Impala line-up and Chevy would pull the plug off it next year. It Isn't selling well and that’s what brings to the matter at hand.

We believe that a sedan is more than sheer performance and comfortable rear seats. The vehicle should be well balanced with due importance given to all aspects. So the Chevy Impala is for the bunch of people who love powerful cars and would love to be cozy in the rear seats. It is worth the money as well. So it would be better to get a hold of it before Chevrolet writes it off, which can be pretty soon.