2017 Chevy Impala Review

Starting off with an Impala LS gets you a four-cylinder engine, 18-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, cruise control, air-conditioning, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with power lumbar), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, OnStar (with a 4G connection and WiFi hotspot), Bluetooth phone connectivity and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and a 4.2-inch color display.

An optional Protection package adds rear parking sensors, foldable rear headrests and a cargo net. Major stand-alone options include larger wheels, remote engine start and a V6 engine (comes bundled with automatic climate control).

The LT adds 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, cloth and leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat, folding rear head restraints and theMyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice controls, Bluetooth audio connectivity, two additional USB ports (for a total of three), an SD card slot, HD radio and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Many of the options you can get on the LT are grouped into packages. The Leather package adds (you guessed it) leather upholstery, heated seats and an eight-way power front passenger seat. The Convenience package includes rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, remote engine start and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. You can also select a Technology package (19-inch wheels, rear spoiler, 120-volt power outlet, 11-speaker Bose audio system, CD player, wireless phone charger and ambient lighting) and a Navigation package (keyless entry and ignition plus integrated MyLink navigation). The V6 engine is also available, as is a sunroof.

For additional safety features, go with the Driver Confidence package that includes forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. There are also two Appearance packages, one adding a trunk-lid spoiler, a body-color grille surround and chrome mirror caps, and another (the "Midnight Edition") adding the spoiler, 19-inch black-and-silver wheels and blacked-out exterior trim.

The main reason to go with the Impala LT or Premier is to get the 8-inch MyLink touchscreen.

Topping the Impala's range is the Premier. You get most of the LT's optional features as standard, plus xenon headlights and the V6 engine. The Premier's options list includes an Enhanced Convenience package (auto-dimming driver-side mirror and rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, heated power-adjustable steering wheel, driver memory settings) and an Advanced Technology package (wireless cell phone charging, 11-speaker Bose stereo, 120-volt power outlet). There's also a Midnight Edition package like the one offered on the LT.

The sunroof is also optional for the Premier. Adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking is an exclusive option, as are 20-inch wheels.

All 2017 Impalas are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. From there, the LS and LT come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (196 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque) as standard. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). Included with the four-cylinder is an automatic stop-start system that automatically shuts off the engine when you come to a halt to save fuel.

Optional for the LS and LT and standard on Premier is a 3.6-liter V6 (305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque). The EPA rates this engine at 22 mpg combined (18 city/28 highway). In Edmunds performance testing, an Impala with the V6 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, putting it in a dead heat with the last Avalon we tested and comfortably ahead of the Chrysler 300 V6 and Hyundai Azera.

Chevrolet also offers a dual-fuel Impala V6 that can run on either compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline. The trunk-mounted CNG tank holds 7.7 GGE (gasoline gallon equivalent), enough to power the Impala for 150 miles. The bi-fuel Impala runs on CNG by default, switching over to gasoline when the CNG tank is depleted, but a dash-mounted switch allows you to change fuel sources on the fly. The engine produces 260 hp and 247 lb-ft on gasoline, dropping to 230 hp and 218 lb-ft on CNG. According to the EPA, fuel economy suffers somewhat -- the bi-fuel Impala is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined (17 city/25 highway) on gasoline and 19 mpg combined (16/24) on CNG.