2012 Chevy Impala Review
2012 Chevy Impala Review





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Used Impala for sale
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2012 Chevrolet Impala appraisal values can range from $2,837 - $6,184.
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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 LT 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 $3.76 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$201/mo
Impala LT
vs
$243/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.

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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala.
5 star(60%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2nd Impala - Best Car I Have Ever Owned
carloverinbr,06/02/2013
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
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
Could not ask for better value
savantrep,03/10/2013
LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
I recently purchased my first LTZ- a 2012 model after searching high and low for that perfect mix of performance, comfort and style. This car has it all. The 302hp engine is awesome as well as the ample room (I'm a tall guy).
5 out of 5 stars
Great car for Much Less than Competitors
jimmyjames76,10/30/2012
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.
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.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestAcceptable
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestAcceptable
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More about the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala Overview
The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala is offered in the following submodels: Impala Sedan. Available styles include LT 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LTZ 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A), LS Fleet 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A), and LT Fleet 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A). Pre-owned Chevrolet Impala models are available with a 3.6 L-liter flex-fuel (FFV) engine, with output up to 300 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed automatic. The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 100000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
Price comparisons for Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala trim styles:
- The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala LT Fleet is priced between $12,499 and$15,990 with odometer readings between 43945 and96333 miles.
- The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala LS Fleet is priced between $8,999 and$13,990 with odometer readings between 100004 and112555 miles.
- The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala LT is priced between $9,929 and$17,590 with odometer readings between 33485 and164710 miles.
- The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala LTZ is priced between $11,115 and$16,990 with odometer readings between 39687 and111886 miles.
- The Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala LS is priced between $15,990 and$15,990 with odometer readings between 43693 and43693 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2012 Chevrolet Impalas are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2012 Chevrolet Impala for sale near. There are currently 14 used and CPO 2012 Impalas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $8,999 and mileage as low as 33485 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2012 Chevrolet Impala.
Can't find a used 2012 Chevrolet Impalas you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Chevrolet Impala for sale.
Find a used Chevrolet for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet Impala for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2012 Chevrolet Impala?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Chevrolet lease specials
Check out Chevrolet Impala lease specials
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