2006 Chevrolet Impala 3.5 LS

[BMWDave]

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2006 Chevrolet Impala 3.5 LS
Retooling GM?s bestseller: Chevy touts more for less in the next Impala
ANDREW LUU
Published Date: 9/5/05
2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA 3.5 LS
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $21,990
POWERTRAIN: 3.5-liter, 211-hp, 214-lb-ft V6; fwd, four-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3553 lbs
0 TO 60 MPH: 8.4 seconds (mfr.)
FUEL MILAGE (EPA COMBINED): 24.6 mpg
Of all the trim levels available for the 2006 Chevrolet Impala, the first car sold to a customer was a top-of-the-line V8-powered SS. Sounds like something a diehard Chevy fan would buy, doesn?t it? Actually, the customer is an Orthodox priest, and like many Chevy buyers, he is loyal to the brand.

Believing he survived a serious accident in his previous Impala SS due to the car?s safety, this priest swore right then and there he would buy another Chevy.

For a long time Chevy could count on such loyalty?something akin to home-field advantage?to help it sell cars. While it?s an edge Chevy still enjoys in the truck game, such allegiance to its cars withered long ago due to years of consistently formidable opposition and inadequate responses to that from GM. So right from the get-go Chevy aimed to offer a lot more than just the golden bow tie in developing this new Impala.


For example, you can choose from three engines, all more powerful than before. The base 3.5-liter overhead-valve V6 churns out 211 hp and 214 lb-ft. Then there is the 3.9-liter V6 with 242 hp (2 more horses than last year?s SS) and 242 lb-ft. Each features variable-valve timing, a pushrod first. And for the hot rod parents, Chevy has a 5.3-liter, 303-hp, 323-lb-ft V8 that can deactivate four cylinders to save fuel. And yes, you?ll need the e-brake to do a smoky burnout.

Styling-wise the new car looks like a big Malibu, with softer, rounder edges. In other words, the Impala looks anonymous. That?s not always a good thing, but for a car that must please hundreds of thousands of drivers, ordinary has a proven appeal.

The interior takes on the same generic approach, but this time around there is greatly improved fit-and-finish. The Impala also uses higher quality materials, though there are still some hard plastic pieces.

The car is 1.4 inches taller. It is 0.4 inch longer and track also grows 0.4 inch. The 110.5-inch wheelbase is unchanged. Legroom shrinks by almost an inch in back, but there is more head room.


The Impala is larger than a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, yet head and legroom are neck and neck among the three. The Chevy leads the way in shoulder and hip room, particularly in the rear.

There is an innovative flip-and-fold feature in the rear. Prop the rear cushion upward to reveal a small storage bin, or all the way forward for a large secondary trunk complete with grocery-bag hooks. Fold the seatbacks down to expose a flat pass-through, which expands the already generous 18.6 cubic feet of trunk space.

A MacPherson strut front and independent tri-link rear (replacing rear struts) suspension system does a decent job when hustling down the back roads. The Impala leans first, then sets in predictable fashion. Its turn-in response is tighter than a Camry, and the car beats its predecessor in overall isolation from road disturbances.

New dual-piston calipers up front work well, but like Ford?s new Fusion, ABS does not come standard on the base LS or LT Impala. (ABS is standard on both Camry and Accord.) The SS employs thicker stabilizer bars all around and dual-rate springs in the rear. Combined with larger 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, there is at least enough grip to put smiles on most faces.


GM claims 0 to 60 mph passes in 5.7 seconds for the SS, 7.8 seconds for the 3.9-liter V6 and 8.4 seconds for the base 3.5. Each engine is mated to a four-speed automatic, and while the competitive set is fast moving to five- and even six-speed setups, the Chevy engines generally make more torque at low rpm and don?t require the extra ratios.

On sheer value the Impala makes a compelling argument. Pricing starts at $21,990 for the base 3.5 LS ($790 cheaper than last year), $25,420 for the 3.9 LT and $27,790 for the SS, each reflecting GM?s move toward actual transaction pricing. Despite lower MSRPs, the Impala has more equipment, including standard front and rear side-curtain airbags and an auxiliary jack to play your iPod or MP3 player through the stereo.

The new Impala still falls short of the Accord?s refinement and a rede?signed Camry is expected next year, not to mention the recent introduction of the Fusion?all sure to give this Chevy a run for its money. But there is no doubt the new Impala is a dynamically stronger car in every way. And one thing is for sure: Chevy moved 290,295 Impalas last year?good for third overall behind Camry and Accord?and this new model is improved enough to stay in the hunt.

[bobwill]

The Impala is larger than a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, yet head and legroom are neck and neck among the three. The Chevy leads the way in shoulder and hip room, particularly in the rear.

That seems sad in my mind.
Everything else seems great though.

[MX793]

The Impala is larger than a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, yet head and legroom are neck and neck among the three. The Chevy leads the way in shoulder and hip room, particularly in the rear.

That seems sad in my mind.
Everything else seems great though.

I believe the Impala has a larger trunk than any of the import competition, hence one reason why it is larger than the others while not having much more interior room.  I'd imagine the other reason for it's greater size, at least lengthwise, is simply the fact that the W-body is a much older platform than any of the competition and is from a time when cars weren't as space efficient.

[ifcar]

The trunk is probably part of it, it beats the Accord by almost 5 cubic feet and the Camry by 2.  

[thewizard16]

The trunk is probably part of it, it beats the Accord by almost 5 cubic feet and the Camry by 2.

So are both the Impala and the Malibu supposed to be directly competing with the Camry now?  :blink: The previous ones did to some extent, but it never seemed this close.  

[ifcar]

The trunk is probably part of it, it beats the Accord by almost 5 cubic feet and the Camry by 2.

So are both the Impala and the Malibu supposed to be directly competing with the Camry now?  :blink: The previous ones did to some extent, but it never seemed this close.

The Impala competes more directly with the Camry than the Malibu does IMO. They're closer in price and interior space. But they're both midsize sedans, it's how the Contour and Taurus or the Altima and (pre-2004) Maxima both competed with the Camry.  

[thewizard16]

The trunk is probably part of it, it beats the Accord by almost 5 cubic feet and the Camry by 2.

So are both the Impala and the Malibu supposed to be directly competing with the Camry now?  :blink: The previous ones did to some extent, but it never seemed this close.

The Impala competes more directly with the Camry than the Malibu does IMO. They're closer in price and interior space. But they're both midsize sedans, it's how the Contour and Taurus or the Altima and (pre-2004) Maxima both competed with the Camry.

Interesting. I would think they'd want something a little larger than the Camry (interior dimensions), to aim at the Maxima and Avalon and such.  

[ifcar]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.  

[TBR]

So does that mean you've driven it, Ifcar?

[thewizard16]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.  

[ifcar]

So does that mean you've driven it, Ifcar?

Very briefly, the base 3.5 model. I'll be taking a longer drive soon enough though.

[thewizard16]

So does that mean you've driven it, Ifcar?

There's been one at the dealership in Mtn. Home for a couple weeks. They were closed, or I would have stopped to look at it. I don't even know where the GM dealer is here. I'm sure ifcar has had the opportunity to drive it by now. Otherwise he's slacking.  :P  

[ifcar]

So does that mean you've driven it, Ifcar?

There's been one at the dealership in Mtn. Home for a couple weeks. They were closed, or I would have stopped to look at it. I don't even know where the GM dealer is here. I'm sure ifcar has had the opportunity to drive it by now. Otherwise he's slacking.  :P

There isn't a huge rush, yet. Now the cars I'm waiting for are the Civic and the Fusion, and I have to hold off both comparos until they're available. The Civic is apparently coming first, so the family sedans will wait a bit longer for the Hyundai Azera. Unless I wait for the Accent/Rio.

It's very annoying right now, virtually every class is still waiting for a certain car right now.  :angry:  

[ifcar]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

I suppose back seat space got the higher priority.  

[MX793]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

It's more a matter of the Impala's trunk being large.  American cars traditionally have larger trunks than comparable foreign cars.  Something about American culture, we just feel a need to be able to carry a bag of golf clubs for every passenger and then some.

[TBR]

MX793, the problem with that argument is that the Avalon was designed for the USA market.

And, ifcar, what did you think of it?

[ifcar]

The 05-gen Avalon's trunk is small by almost any standard. The Camry's is over 2 cubic feet larger, and some economy cars (Ion, Aerio) have more space. Even the Corolla's is less than a cubic foot behind it.

[ifcar]

And, ifcar, what did you think of it?

It was nice enough. Good interior space, adequate seats (not exceptional, but they didn't drop the ball as far as they did with the Cobalt), good materials quality with very good fit and finish, surprisingly quiet, decent power, much better ride control, no steering feel.  I still need to get more experience with it, and plan to drive a 3.9-liter version before the update family sedan comparo, which I hope to have out no later than by the middle of next month.  

[bobwill]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

It's more a matter of the Impala's trunk being large.  American cars traditionally have larger trunks than comparable foreign cars.  Something about American culture, we just feel a need to be able to carry a bag of golf clubs for every passenger and then some.

It's the mafia, hitmen need a place to stash the bodies that's out of sight.

[thewizard16]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

It's more a matter of the Impala's trunk being large.  American cars traditionally have larger trunks than comparable foreign cars.  Something about American culture, we just feel a need to be able to carry a bag of golf clubs for every passenger and then some.

It's the mafia, hitmen need a place to stash the bodies that's out of sight.

On that note, how large is the Chrysler 300's trunk?  

[ifcar]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

It's more a matter of the Impala's trunk being large.  American cars traditionally have larger trunks than comparable foreign cars.  Something about American culture, we just feel a need to be able to carry a bag of golf clubs for every passenger and then some.

It's the mafia, hitmen need a place to stash the bodies that's out of sight.

On that note, how large is the Chrysler 300's trunk?

15.6 cubic feet, compared to 14.4 for the Avalon, 18.6 for the Impala, 20.6 for the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, and 21.2 for the Five Hundred.

[thewizard16]

They beat the trunk, but not the passenger space. And they didn't match the actual seat comfort, unfortunately.

I'll never understand why the new Avalon's trunk is as small as it is.

It's more a matter of the Impala's trunk being large.  American cars traditionally have larger trunks than comparable foreign cars.  Something about American culture, we just feel a need to be able to carry a bag of golf clubs for every passenger and then some.

It's the mafia, hitmen need a place to stash the bodies that's out of sight.

On that note, how large is the Chrysler 300's trunk?

15.6 cubic feet, compared to 14.4 for the Avalon, 18.6 for the Impala, 20.6 for the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, and 21.2 for the Five Hundred.

That's what I thought. See, there goes the whole mafia (As well as the "domestic" vs. "import" argument right there).  :D  

[Raghavan]

god, the 500's trunk is massive. :o

[thewizard16]

god, the 500's trunk is massive. :o

Yes, it is. And we all know it's too civilized looking to go around hauling bodies in.  

[MX793]

god, the 500's trunk is massive. :o

Yes, it is. And we all know it's too civilized looking to go around hauling bodies in.

That makes it the perfect car to carry bodies in, then.  You want to keep a low profile when you're a hitman so as to not draw attention to yourself.  The 500 easily glides under the radar since it's not a head turner like the Chrysler 300.

[bobwill]

god, the 500's trunk is massive. :o

Yes, it is. And we all know it's too civilized looking to go around hauling bodies in.

That makes it the perfect car to carry bodies in, then.  You want to keep a low profile when you're a hitman so as to not draw attention to yourself.  The 500 easily glides under the radar since it's not a head turner like the Chrysler 300.

Exactly, who would attract more attention and therefore be more likely to be stopped, the guy in the 300C driving like a madman, or the guys hauling bodies around in their crown vics, impalas, or 500s. :D

It's kinda like asking who would have been more likely to be stopped and searched in Star Wars, Han Solo in his civilian ship that had 2 quad mounted laser turrets, and a barely legal hyperdrive, or anyone else. :)

[thewizard16]

god, the 500's trunk is massive. :o

Yes, it is. And we all know it's too civilized looking to go around hauling bodies in.

That makes it the perfect car to carry bodies in, then.  You want to keep a low profile when you're a hitman so as to not draw attention to yourself.  The 500 easily glides under the radar since it's not a head turner like the Chrysler 300.

Depends on how high up you are.  :D  Some don't need to worry about attracting attention because no one is dumb enough to stop them.  

[bobwill]

But then you're probably not too worried about having the dead body out in plain sight.
Heck they might have it proudly tied across the roof of the car like a 10 point buck. :D

[thewizard16]

But then you're probably not too worried about having the dead body out in plain sight.
Heck they might have it proudly tied across the roof of the car like a 10 point buck. :D

That's where the 300 comes in.

[Raza]

I thought my car's trunk was huge!  (15 cubes)