2018 Chevrolet Impala Review

Now that the LS has keyless entry and start and Chevy's MyLink infotainment system, it makes for an appealing and affordable choice. However, the LT gets quite a few small interior improvements and access to option packages. In particular — due to the Impala's visibility issues — we...

Well-mannered and confidence-inspiring during day-to-day driving, the Impala is a willing and accommodating commuting partner. Light steering and narrow footprint make parking easy.

Shifts are smooth and quick. The Impala gets up to highway speeds easily and passes with confidence. Still, our measured zero-to-60-mph time of 6.7 seconds is merely average for the class. The four-cylinder is noticeably slower.

Pedal feel is slightly soft, but it's easy enough to modulate around town. A panic stop from 60 mph takes 120 feet, which is average for this class of vehicle.

Steering effort and feedback are light but precise and trustworthy. Slightly sensitive around the center, so the driver has to stay alert to prevent lane-wandering.

Obedient but not entertaining. Around turns, the Impala will prove capable and confident enough for the majority of drivers.

Well-mannered and confidence-inspiring during day-to-day driving, the Impala is a willing and accommodating commuting partner. Light steering and narrow footprint make parking easy.

The Impala provides a pleasantly calm cabin that emphasizes comfort over performance. There's ample interior space. After hours of driving, we emerged no worse for the wear. Skipping the optional 20-inch wheels may further improve the ride.

The front seats are adequately padded with eight-way power adjustments. Side bolstering is minimal, and the optional ventilation is weak. The adult-friendly rear seats are as generous as the Avalon's.

Tuned for comfort, the suspension smooths out rough surfaces, but the 20-inch wheels add some initial harshness. Good balance of comfort and composure. Less floaty than some competitors.

Wind and road noise is barely detectable over a variety of surfaces and speeds. Creaks from within are also well silenced. This kind of isolation approaches luxury-sedan levels.

The Impala is competitive with other large sedans. The tasteful interior design is appealing, though there are still some disappointing plastics, particularly below the center stack.

The majority of primary and secondary controls are well placed and clearly labeled, but the touchscreen is a bit of a reach and angled away.

The elevated seat height makes getting in and out easy, as does the tall door opening. No stooping required here. The same holds true for the rear seats.

The Impala's spaciousness compares favorably with competitors, with plenty of headroom and legroom. The average-size adult will even be comfortable in the rear seat for all-day road trips.

Thick front roof pillars hamper visibility through turns, and the high rear trunklid requires reliance on the backup camera. The gauges and displays are placed well within sightlines.

Most interior materials are competitive with rivals, but flimsy plastic panels on the center console cost some points. The MyLink system's menus are simple and intuitive.

The trunk is positively huge, and at 18.8 cubic feet, it is only outclassed by the Ford Taurus (20 cubic feet). Inside the cabin, bins are adequate and the behind-touchscreen storage is unique. Rear LATCH anchors are easy to find, and there's plenty of room, even for rear-facing car seats.

The current incarnation of Chevy's MyLink system is easy to use and offers lots of connectivity features. A full suite of driver aids are available, but only on the highest trim level, and even on the LT trim basic aids such as blind-spot monitoring are optional extras.