2012 Chevy Impala Review
2012 Chevy Impala Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Simple controls
- available six-passenger seating
- large trunk
- strong and efficient engine.
Cons
- Cheap interior materials and construction
- lackluster handling
- bland styling
- generally outpaced by the competition in most respects.
What’s new
The 2012 Chevrolet Impala gets a new 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission along with slightly revised front and rear styling. All Impalas also now feature Bluetooth and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard, while the LT's standard equipment list loses foglights but gains a rear spoiler, flip-and-fold rear seat and leather-wrapped shift knob along with a sunroof option.
Edmunds says
Despite a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, the 2012 Chevrolet Impala is outdone by most competitors. You can do better.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Chevrolet Impala LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$166/mo for Impala LS Fleet
Impala LS Fleet
vs
$205/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
It's been six years since the Chevrolet Impala last received a significant update, and even longer since it was redesigned from the ground up. Since then the segment has been flooded with competitors with more style, substance and sophistication than Chevy's venerable four-door flagship. In fact, even Chevy's own Malibu is a more appealing choice. That's not to say the Impala is a bad car that'll leave you stranded by the side of the road or with a repair bill the size of Texas. It's certainly spacious and reliable, but nonetheless there are an awful lot more appealing choices out there that meet those criteria as well.
There is some good news for 2012 as the Impala gains a new, more powerful and more fuel-efficient 3.6-liter V6 engine. Paired to a new (for the Impala) six-speed automatic transmission, Chevy's full-size sedan finally has a modern powertrain. Unfortunately, the rest of the car can't claim the same modernity. Its stale styling, cheap-feeling interior materials and lack of many desirable features make the Impala seem impossibly behind the times.
Overall, we'd strongly urge family sedan shoppers to consider any of the Impala's much more modern competitors, including the Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera or Volkswagen Passat. Any of these would be a substantially better choice than the 2012 Chevy Impala.
Performance & mpg
The front-wheel-drive 2012 Chevrolet Impala gets a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 that puts out a healthy 300 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Though this powertrain is significantly gutsier than either of the V6 engines it replaces, the Impala's fuel economy has actually improved a bit. EPA estimates are a strong 18 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
Safety
The 2012 Chevrolet Impala's list of standard safety features includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, OnStar telematics, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Impala the top ranking of "Good" in both its frontal-offset and side-impact tests, but the second-best rating of "Acceptable" in the roof strength test.
Driving
From behind the wheel, the 2012 Chevrolet Impala gets mixed reviews. The new 300-hp V6 under the hood is a distinct improvement over either of the two uninspiring engines that previously occupied that space. With an additional 90 hp on tap, this powertrain delivers competitive acceleration.
The car's suspension also gets high marks for ride comfort. There's a price to be paid for this plushness, however, and that's indifferent handling that leaves much to be desired. While this ride/handling balance might suit a few full-size sedan buyers just fine, most would be better served by the more capable and refined driving character of its competitors.
Interior
One look inside the 2012 Chevrolet Impala's passenger cabin is all it takes to understand the car's strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, the interior is roomy with seating for up to six passengers -- something that's increasingly hard to find these days. Gauges and controls are also well laid out and uncomplicated -- it's a potentially refreshing difference from the sea of buttons and complicated control interfaces common of most modern cars.
Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends. Those controls are simple because they're attached to fewer features than are available on competitors. Furthermore, the cabin design is pretty stale and consists of subpar materials that are well behind GM's more recent offerings.
It's a similar trade-off in terms of cargo room. The 18.6-cubic-foot trunk is certainly generous, but its folding rear seat is optional and lacks the more common 60/40 split design.
2012 Chevrolet Impala models
The 2012 Chevy Impala is a full-size four-door sedan offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. Seating for five people is standard, but an optional front bench seat offered on LS and LT models bumps passenger capacity to six.
Standard features on the entry-level LS include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a six-way power driver seat, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, OnStar, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
Stepping up to the LT gets you 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, remote ignition, dual-zone manual climate control, a folding rear seat, a rear center armrest, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a trip computer with compass and outside temperature display.
The top-of-the-line LTZ adds 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, heated power front seats (eight-way driver, six-way passenger), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system.
A sunroof is available on the LT and LTZ.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala.
5 star(58%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
33 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2nd Impala - Best Car I Have Ever Owned
carloverinbr, 06/02/2013
2012 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
This is simply the best car I have ever owned. I bought my first Impala in 2008. It was brand new and a few years later I had a wild hair to get an expensive, premium European car. I kept that car for about a year because it was constantly at the dealer for repair under warrantly. I really missed my Impala so I got another one!
The 2012's new engine and transmission is awesome. My car … was a rental and got a great deal. If you read the professional reviews, they are almost always negative but I really believe that these cars are underappreciated.
If you want a great value on a car that will give you years of trouble-free driving, check out the Impala. I now have 38k on the Impala.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Great Car!
cj7123, 11/26/2012
2012 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
If you need something to change in every year of a car, then this isn't the car for you.
If however, you want a safe, comfortable and reliable car, this is it.
It has many creature comforts from heated seats to satellite radio and sync.
We are getting 30 mpg with the new engine and transmission!
So, if you need "bling"
you might want to look elsewhere, but if you want a strong, … reliable car with descent gas mileage for
thousands of dollars less that the other cars they compare the Impala to, look no further!
5 out of 5 stars
Still Love my Impala!
retire2018, 12/07/2014
2012 Chevrolet Impala LT Fleet 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
Not sure what the complaints are about. This car is a pleasure to drive. I drive a combination of driving and get 24 mpg. The 300hp is amazing!
Smooth acceleration and great braking. I don't know about others but I have no problems with parking, good turning radius. The car rides and handles well. As for pricing, I bought the car with 21.4k miles and paid $11900. It is a LT model and was … a rental out of Montana. It has tinted windows and a sunroof. As far as handling, I find it to handle quite well for the size of car that it is. My personal opinion is that it's a great car and a great value.
I’ve owned the car now for 3 years now and I’m still quite happy with the car. Only two problems I’ve had is a wheel speed sensor and a hvac control module and door motor for the heating/ cooling system had to be replaced. All covered by my extended warranty. I would still recommend the car.
Now after 4 years of ownership I’m still very happy with the car. Other then the couple of items listed above I’ve had no problems with the car. It’s been a very dependable car and would still recommend it.
I would agree with a few other reviews that the front seats are a little flat and don’t wrap around you but for me that’s a minor issue considering the reliability and value of the vehicle.
So now I’ve had the impala for 5 years. It’s still a great car. Still no problems. Will be putting new brakes on it soon but I have over 75000 on the original pads. Other then a new set of tires and oil changes I’ve done nothing else to the car. I would still highly recommend this car.
5 out of 5 stars
Great car for Much Less than Competitors
jimmyjames76, 10/30/2012
2012 Chevrolet Impala LT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
We bought a 2012 Impala LT as a certified preowned car with 11k miles, so my review perspective is a little different than someone buying new. We looked at a lot of cars: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, Chrysler 200, etc. We liked this car the best. It rode and handled better, had more power, a larger interior and trunk, remote start, and by far the best pricing.
So far it's … been an amazing car. It's a great blend of comfort, size, performance, and economy.
The cars Edmund's recommends instead of this car are MUCH more expensive for the same miles/year.
Like $8-10k more.
So yes, you could get a better car, but I don't believe you can for the money.
This is an excellent car.
2012 Impala Highlights
LS Fleet
Base MSRP | $25,180 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $166/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall4 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver2 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat3 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover11.3%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestAcceptable
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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