2014 CHEVROLET IMPALA IS CONSUMER REPORTS' HIGHEST-SCORING SEDAN

By ConsumerReports.org - With the release of our latest road tests, the 2014 Chevrolet Impala becomes the highest-scoring sedan in Consumer Reports' ratings.  Among all cars, its 95-point score falls short of just the Tesla Model S ultra-luxury hatchback (99) and BMW 1 Series coupe (97).  No other domestic car has topped the sedans ratings since we began tracking scores in that fashion over 20 years ago.

Consumer Reports' engineers found the Impala rides like a luxury sedan, with a cushy and controlled demeanor, while delivering surprisingly agile handling, capable acceleration, and excellent braking.  The Impala corners quite well for a large car, with prompt turn-in response and controlled body lean.  Steering is nicely weighted; it's light enough for parking maneuvers and provides decent feedback.  When pushed to its handling limits, the Impala proved secure, responsive, balanced, and easy to control.

Inside, the spacious cabin sets a new standard for Chevrolet fit and finish, with generally high-quality materials and trim.  The backseat is roomy and comfortable, the trunk is huge, and controls are refreshingly intuitive and easy to use.  The 22 mpg overall Consumer Reports measured with the Impala's 3.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission is competitive, but it's not the best in class.

Despite its high test score, this Impala is too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data, so it can't be Recommended.  To be Recommended, a vehicle must perform well in CR's battery of tests, have average or better reliability in CR's Annual Auto Survey, and perform well in government and industry crash tests.

Along with the Impala, complete road tests were published online for the Acura RLX, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorrento, and Jaguar XF.

IS CHEVROLET READYING A NATURAL GAS POWERED IMPALA?

By Jeffrey N. Ross, Autoblog.com - When it comes to fleet vehicles, the Chevrolet Impala definitely plays an important role for General Motors, and it looks like GM is hard at work developing the next-gen Impala for bulk-buying businesses.  The Motoring Journal recently spotted a handful of Impalas testing in Colorado with minor camouflage, but upon closer inspection, these appear to be test mules for a new compressed natural gas (CNG) model -- a powertrain combination far more likely to find favour with fleet buyers than everyday consumers.

Aside from the obvious "CNG" stickers affixed to the decklid, these cars also have different exhaust outlets than what we saw on the V6-equipped Impalas during our first drive of the sedan back in March.  Images also show under the hood with a different engine cover and plenty of exposed wiring as the CNG system continues testing.  There was also an electrical connector poking out of the front fascia, and at least one of the sedans had a receiver-style trailer hitch.

During the launch of the 2014 Impala, Chevrolet said that it is looking to flip the current fleet-to-retail from 70:30 to a more profitable and resale-friendly 30:70 ratio, and this new CNG Impala could be a good way to retain some of that 30 per cent fleet business.  We reached out to GM for word on when a CNG Impala might arrive, and received this response:

We do offer a CNG van and a bi-fuel pickup truck, but still studying the demand for CNG powered passenger cars.  Infrastructure is a consideration for anyone buying these types of vehicles.  Unfortunately, there's nothing to announce today on this front.Our best guess is that it could debut for the 2015 model year, since the ninth-generation model is carrying over for fleet-only sales as the 2014 Impala Limited.

2014 CHEVY IMPALA PRODUCTION COMMENCES IN OSHAWA

 

By Seyth Miersma, Autoblog.com - Production of the tenth-generation Chevrolet Impala began today on April Fools' Day, with the first 2014 model rolling off the line at the company's Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant.  The new Impala, which will be produced at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck plant in addition to the Oshawa plant, is expected to make an appearance in showrooms later this month.  Impala assembly in Detroit will begin in May of this year.

The full-size Impala will come to market with an engine lineup that includes a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 2.4-litre four with the company's eAssist mild hybrid technology, and the 3.6-litre V6 that we sampled a few weeks ago.  Sadly for the trivia buffs among us, Chevy didn't provide any specification information or other facts about the first-ever 2014 Impala.

See below for Chevy's brief press release.

Production begins for 2014 Chevrolet Impala

OSHAWA, Ontario - The all-new 2014 Impala, Chevrolet's flagship sedan, began driving off the line at Oshawa Assembly today.  The Impala will begin arriving in Chevrolet showrooms this month.

"The all-new Impala demonstrates the new direction of Chevrolet," said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM Canada.  "Our employees in Oshawa have executed a flawless plan in bringing this iconic nameplate to life.  The newly designed Impala will exceed customers' expectations because of the hard work of our employees at Oshawa Assembly."

The 2014 Impala will also be manufactured at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, starting in May.

The 2014 Impala has several new features, including Adaptive Cruise Control and crash-avoidance technologies like Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert.  Ten standard airbags are included -- among the most in the segment.

Chevrolet's latest MyLink radio debuts in the 2014 Impala.  The in-vehicle entertainment system includes a customizable eight-inch color display screen.  The system also adopts natural voice recognition -- a first for Chevrolet.

Three direct-injection engine choices will be available: 1 3.6L V-6, a newly designed 2.5L four-cylinder and a 2.4L four-cylinder with fuel-saving eAssist technology estimated to deliver up to 35 mpg on highway driving.  All engines are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is built at Oshawa's state-of-the-art Flexible Manufacturing line along with the Chevrolet Camaro, Buick Regal and Cadillac XTS.