2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ – Quick Takes

Chevrolet has completely redesigned the 2014 Impala – its iconic flagship sedan – with head-turning styling, greater interior spaciousness and advanced technologies never before available in an Impala.

The 2014 Impala is new from the ground up, with muscular design elements that provide a nod to the past while embracing Chevy’s modern styling. It represents the 10th generation of one of the industry’s most enduring and popular nameplates. It has been America’s best-selling full-size sedan since 2004, with total sales of more than 169,000 in 2012.

True to its legacy, the 2014 Impala delivers advanced technologies at a competitive price. It incorporates 10 standard air bags as well as available safety technologies such as full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, crash imminent braking, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear camera and rear-park assist.

“Impala has a heritage of pushing the segment with bold designs, new technologies and premium features not typically found at its price point,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The 2014 Impala’s combination of efficiency, refinement, infotainment choices and driving confidence will re-set the benchmark in its segment and affirm its position as Chevrolet’s flagship sedan.”

Impala’s V-6 engine will be the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the segment. The car also receives a new, responsive electric power steering system and enhanced suspension that provide customers with a confident driving experience.

Inside, an all-new passenger environment offers more front and rear legroom, generous storage and smartphone-influenced connectivity with next-generation MyLink. It’s also a quieter environment with a greater emphasis on comfort – including BOSE ® active noise cancelation technology on four-cylinder models.

To appeal to a wide array of customer needs, the 2014 Impala will be offered with three engine choices, including two four-cylinder powertrains and a 3.6L V-6 engine available exclusively at launch. An Ecotec 2.4L engine with eAssist, available at the end of 2013, provides an estimated 35 mpg of highway driving.

The new Impala is produced at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck, Mich., and Oshawa, Ontario facilities.

Design details

The 2014 Impala introduces a new aesthetic for Chevrolet’s flagship sedan, but one that honors the cues that helped distinguish the classic nameplate for decades.

“Our design team was challenged to create a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on nostalgia,” said John Cafaro, director of North America passenger car exterior design. “This is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail that complement its advanced technology and performance.”

The Impala’s long, low proportion has a wind-swept profile that suggests motion, while the range of 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheels is tailored to the body to provide that “just right” stance. At the front, low-profile projector-beam headlamps – or HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps on LTZ – sweep around the corners and frame a wide grille, while a power dome hood conveys performance. The LTZ’s LED daytime running lamps provide a contemporary visual statement, along with great visibility.

Sculpted coves in the body sides add to the Impala’s design drama, with a sweeping signature cue in the rear fenders that acknowledges classic Impala designs. The “greenhouse” area is long, enhancing the sleek look of the car while maintaining excellent visibility. The deck lid appears short to complement the overall proportion, but opens to reveal a trunk with 18.8 cubic-feet (532 liters) of cargo space. Diagonal dual-signature taillamps and – on LTZ – chrome-outlined exhaust outlets complete the rear-end appearance.

Exterior colors include Black, Blue Ray, Blue Topaz Metallic, Champagne Silver Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Cyber Gray, Silver Ice Metallic, Silver Topaz Metallic, Summit White, Tin Roof Rusted and White Diamond Tricoat.

The 2014 Impala builds on Chevrolet’s signature dual-cockpit interior with greater attention to detail and upscale features – seen in everything from the wraparound flow of the bold instrument panel into the door panels and the available ambient lighting, to the soft feel of the materials and the premium appearance of the seats’ stitching. The instrument panel integrates a dynamic instrument cluster with a standard 4.2-inch color display with reconfigurable features for the driver information center. An eight-inch touch screen with concealed storage behind it is matched with the available Chevy MyLink system on LT and LTZ models.

LS models feature cloth seats, while LT comes standard with cloth/vinyl seats. Sueded microfiber-trimmed seats are available on LT and LTZ models, which feature standard perforated leather seating.

Interior color choices include Brownstone, Dark Titanium, Jet Black and Mojave.

Quiet and refined

The 2014 Impala’s comfort and refinement are rooted in a stronger body structure, enabling a quieter passenger environment and a greater overall feeling of quality. The stiffer architecture also enabled engineers to tune the ride and handling more precisely, for a greater feeling of control and comfort.

A comprehensive package of sound-absorbing, sound-suppressing and even active noise cancelation (standard on four-cylinder models) – a first for a Chevy sedan – helps make the 2014 Impala Chevrolet’s quietest full-size sedan ever. An acoustically laminated windshield and front-door glass, along with liquid-applied sound deadener, sound-absorbing carpet and an isolated engine cradle, are some of the features that help provide a quieter driving experience.

With active noise cancelation, ceiling-mounted microphones detect engine noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system’s speakers and subwoofer. This technology helps eliminate noise levels associated with torque converter lockup at low speeds, which provides better fuel economy.

The new Impala also has a roomier, airier ambience. Thin A-pillars and a low instrument panel enhance outward visibility, while the car’s six-window “greenhouse” surrounds passengers with natural light. The seats are bolstered for greater support and the seat cushions deliver a firm, premium feel that’s equally comfortable on a 500-mile journey or a five-minute trip to the store. Standard on LT and LTZ models, the rear-seat headrests fold to improve rear visibility when there are no back-seat passengers.

Premium interior materials and details such as high-quality fabric, sueded microfiber and perforated leather appointments complement the quiet environment and give the Impala a substantive look and feel. The instrument cluster has a rich look, with multidimensional gauges and a configurable color driver information center with a 4.2-inch screen. The cluster’s ice-blue lighting enhances the upscale aura of the cabin, while available chrome trim with “bleed-through” ambient lighting further enhances the cabin’s sophisticated flair. It completely transforms the trim’s appearance by illuminating it during nighttime driving.

A prominent “center stack” is integrated in the instrument panel and houses the climate controls and Chevrolet MyLink, which includes navigation and Bluetooth audio streaming among many other features – and is controlled via a touch screen on an available eight-inch display. A standard audio amplifier is a feature not typical for the segment and a Bose surround-sound audio system is available – the first in a Chevrolet car.

Additional available features include remote start, passive entry/exit, keyless starting, heated steering wheel, power tilting/telescoping steering column with memory, dual-zone climate control and heated and ventilated front seats. The Impala also packs great storage options, including a generous center console and a hidden storage area behind the optional motorized eight-inch color touch screen.

Award-winning MyLink infotainment

Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, with its intuitive, smartphone-inspired interface, debuts on the new Impala – a system that has already captured the 2013 Best-of-CES Award in the Car Tech category, chosen by tech news provider CNET.

In addition to icons covering everything from navigation to phone to music apps such as Pandora, Chevrolet’s next-gen MyLink is designed to accommodate new features and enhancements and be highly customizable. It also represents Chevrolet’s first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do.

Another first for Chevrolet is that the system can store up to 60 favorites, including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media. This feature is convenient for those who travel to the same destination regularly and want to save locations such as hotels and restaurants.

MyLink is standard on LT and LTZ models. On its eight-inch screen, customers can fling through lists, swipe and drag just as they would on a tablet. Users with compatible smartphones can pair them with MyLink using Bluetooth or a USB connection. This gives customers the ability to play passengers’ music or other media through the vehicle.

Another feature allows customers whose Impalas are equipped with available embedded navigation to enter destinations in a single step, without having to enter the state, city, street number and street name in successive efforts. City-by-city weather reports are also provided.

OnStar accessibility also expands. Besides the traditional Blue button, customers can access OnStar via the screen display.

Driving experience

Impala offers three powertrains, each featuring fuel-saving direct injection and lightweight components. They include the 3.6L V-6, the new Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder and the Ecotec 2.4L with eAssist. Highlights:

• Output for the 3.6L V-6 is rated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 264 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm). That is the highest horsepower output in the segment from a naturally-aspirated V-6 engine. Lightweight features support a more balanced driving experience and include an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine
• The Ecotec 2.5L is part of a new family of four-cylinder engines developed with increased efficiency and greater refinement. It is rated at 196 horsepower (145 kW) and 186 lb.-ft. (253 Nm) of torque
• Impala’s Ecotec 2.4L engine with eAssist provides electrical assist in certain conditions to help save fuel. It is rated at 182 horsepower (134 kW) and helps achieve EPA-estimated highway mileage of 36 mpg. The 2.4L with eAssist will be available at the end of this year
• All of Impala’s engines are matched with six-speed automatic transmissions.

The powertrains are the force behind Impala’s confident, responsive driving experience, which is tuned for comfortable performance and rooted in a more robust body structure. The wheelbase is about an inch longer than the previous model, with a slightly wider rear track, giving the new Impala an excellent feeling of comfort and control, no matter the road conditions.

Engineers optimized the upper body structure shape, material, and metal gage to meet all performance requirements with minimal mass, and then applied the mass strategically to other areas of the vehicle. This mass savings allowed engineers to add a front strut tower reinforcement to improve structural feel.

Those strut towers are home to a MacPherson-strut front suspension design that delivers a greater measure of control with rebound springs that are internal to the struts. They enable more refined calibration of the struts that result in a smoother overall ride, while also enhancing body roll control and weight transfer during acceleration or turning. That helps keep the wheels planted, which contributes to the new Impala’s more precise, controlled feel – especially while cornering at speed.

An isolated front cradle for the engine and transmission, as well as a hydraulic ride bushing, help deliver a smoother, quieter ride. At the rear is a proven four-link suspension design, with a slightly wider track that contributes to the Impala’s more planted feel on the road. Isolated mounting provisions for the rear suspension also contribute to the car’s quiet, smooth driving experience.

All models feature an electric variable-assist steering system (EPS) that helps save fuel by drawing energy only when the steering wheel is turned. Designed to complement Impala’s balance of responsiveness and comfort, the EPS’s feel is light and direct, with greater assistance at low speeds and higher effort at highway speeds. It also incorporates Pull Drift Compensation, which automatically adjusts the steering effort to account for factors such as crowned roads or high crosswinds – factors that typically cause the driver to turn the steering wheel slightly to maintain a straight path.

Sensors detect the steering correction and adjust the torque applied to the steering system to relieve the effort on the driver, helping to maintain smooth, straight driving with less input. Pull Drift Compensation is an integrated feature of the EPS system and engages seamlessly, without the driver’s knowledge.

Safety technology

The 2014 Impala offers one of the most comprehensive collections of standard and available safety features in the segment. It employs advanced technologies – including radar – to help avoid crashes. Visual and audible alerts, depending on the alert feature, help drivers identify potential crash situations and even intervene when a crash threat appears more imminent. The alerts are designed to identify potential threats with sufficient warning to give the driver time to react and make changes.

The available safety features and benefits include firsts for Chevrolet and Impala:

• Full-speed-range adaptive cruise control – Radar technology senses traffic in front of the Impala to adjust the vehicle speed, including stopping the vehicle in heavy traffic and accelerating again. It is the first application in a Chevrolet.
• Crash imminent braking – Another Chevy first: Radar technology detects a possible crash threat and alerts the driver. If the driver does not appear to react quickly enough or doesn’t react at all, this feature intervenes to apply the brakes in an effort to avoid the crash.
• Forward collision alert – Camera technology detects a possible crash threat and alerts the driver, giving him or her time to stop and/or change course.
• Lane departure warning – A camera-based lane detection system warns the driver of impending lane changes. The camera, mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and provides audible alerts.
• Side blind zone alert – Using radar sensors on both sides of the vehicle, the system “looks” for other vehicles in the blind zone areas of the Impala and indicates their presence with LED-lit symbols in the outside mirrors.
• Rear cross traffic alert – Based on the radar sensors of side blind zone alert, it warns the driver of vehicles in traffic when backing out of a parking spot – including angled parking. Visual and audible alerts are triggered if moving vehicles are detected.
• Rear vision camera with dynamic guidelines – With a display in the center stack infotainment system, the camera provides a view of objects directly behind the Impala, while the dynamic guidelines provide a reference that helps make parking and other maneuvers easier.
• Ultrasonic rear park assist – Uses sensors in the rear bumper to detect objects directly behind the vehicle and alerts the driver.
• Brake pre-fill feature – To quicken the response time of the brakes and help shorten stopping distances, this features “loads” the brake calipers in anticipation of hard braking by slightly increasing the hydraulic pressure in the brake lines whenever the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. This feature is included on models equipped with adaptive cruise control and crash imminent braking.
• Hill hold/start assist – Applies the brakes for about 1.5 seconds to prevent roll-back when the driver moves his or her foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal.

The advanced, crash-avoidance technologies complement the Impala’s occupant protection features, including 10 standard air bags:

• Dual-depth frontal passenger air bags with passenger sensing system
• Driver and front passenger side-impact air bags
• Driver and front passenger knee air bags
• Rear outboard side-impact air bags
• Head curtain air bags with rollover sensing for front and rear outboard positions
• Safety belt pretensioners
• Child seat restraint system.

Impala also employs systems that enable greater vehicle control, including standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, all-speed traction control, four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS and electronic brake force distribution, which ensures optimal braking force at both axles for maximum stability under heavy braking.

OnStar is standard. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of crash. OnStar service also includes MyLink mobile apps, whichoffer vehicle information and OnStar services via the customer’s smartphone.

Watch auto critic Steve Hammes review: https://testdrivenow.com/2014-chevrolet-impala/