The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size car manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's well-known flagship sedan and one of the best-selling American-built cars in the country.
History of the Chevrolet Impala
First Generation Chevrolet Impala (1958)
Chevrolet's goal in celebrating its 50th anniversary was to create innovative new vehicles. The 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala was a revolutionary concept design that went into production alongside a few other new cars, such as the Cadillac Eldorado Seville and the Pontiac Bonneville and Catalina. Offering a sports coupe and a convertible variant, the Impala was an instant hit. The innovative X-frame architecture that Chevrolet used to construct the car gave it a level of torsional rigidity that no other vehicle at the time could match. The new Bel Air Impala impressed in many ways, both fundamentally and in its many finer details. Buyers might also pick from a variety of powertrain options. Two available engines were the Blue-Flame 235 six-cylinder (145 hp) and the 348 cubic-inch Turbo Thrust V8 (250 hp). The Impala's powertrain would only increase when it entered its second and third generations.
Second Generation Chevrolet Impala (1959–1960)
A trim level of the Bel Air, the second-generation Impala diverged into its model series in 1959. After a significant facelift in 1959, the Impala became highly prized by enthusiasts and collectors. The new version seemed smaller and sat lower on the ground than its predecessors. The back of the redesigned 1959 Impala had a "bat-wing" tail that was positioned above two "cat-eye," teardrop-shaped taillights, giving the vehicle an almost furious appearance. Overall, it was a slimmer design than its predecessors. Chevrolet expanded the Impala family to include a hardtop with four doors and a four-door Sedan. In 1960, manufacturers reintroduced classic three-bar taillights to avoid offensive styling cues. Chevrolet kept increasing the Impala's performance with more horsepower, but the third generation model wouldn't be a real muscle car until then.
Third Generation Chevrolet Impala (1961–1964)
SS
Chevrolet unveiled the Impala Super Sport (SS) in 1961, and it would forever alter the car's reputation. The 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS was faithful to its predecessor with a new 360-horsepower, 409-cubic-inch V8 engine, while the specific SS options Chevrolet offered were solely for appearance. This was the Impala that many fans still love and admire since it had a stiffer suspension, a manual gearbox, and lots of power. The SS gave the Impala a level of performance that fused class with velocity and horsepower, paving the way for subsequent generations of muscle cars.
Z11
In addition to the SS Impala, the Z11 Impala engine was also being developed at the time for use in racing vehicles. There were supposedly only 50 Z11 Impalas produced because they were actual racecars. Chevy discarded unnecessary items such as radios and heaters to lighten the load. A softer, rounder Impala was introduced in 1964. This year also saw the vehicle's debut that would become an icon of lowrider culture thanks to hip-hop.
Fourth Generation Chevrolet Impala (1965–1970)
Super Sport
During the muscle-car era, Chevrolet debuted the fourth-generation Impala in 1965, and the following year, they released the Super Sport trim level. It was challenging for automakers to introduce a new coupe to the market with many pony cars, sports cars, and muscle cars already available. Still, Chevrolet was bold enough to equip the Impala with a Super Sport package, bringing it dangerously close to qualifying with the company's own Chevelle and Malibu, which also featured Super Sport trim levels. However, the Impala was not a muscle vehicle but a personal coupe. The manufacturer put a V8 engine under the hood with seven liters of displacement and 390 horsepower. That was adequate for a muscle car but not for the almost 4,000-pound (1,800-kilogram) Impala. Additionally, disc brakes weren't an option. To conform to the norms of the time, Chevrolet upgraded the Impala's safety features in 1967. There were also improvements, such as a foldable steering column and seatbelts for the passengers. In 1968, the Impala station wagon got a facelift that included a new front end and horseshoe-shaped taillights; the following year, Chevy changed the name to "Kingswood."
Fifth Generation Chevrolet Impala (1971–1976)
The 1971 Chevrolet Impala, the first of the fifth-generation Impalas, was the largest car Chevrolet had ever produced. Consistently, it was one of the most popular cars on the market. The station wagon is back, and the convertible Caprice Classic has replaced the Impala. During this generation, Chevrolet made subtle but significant improvements. The upgraded features improved the Impala, including safety, comfort, and longevity, in all respects. The long-bodied Impala was discontinued during this time due to design constraints imposed by energy regulations.
Sixth Generation Chevrolet Impala (1977–1985)
The gas crisis, divergent trends in consumer culture, and increased safety measures combined with a challenging decade for the sixth-generation Impala. Sales of the Impala remained strong despite the vehicle's many problems. The Chevy's interior space was reduced while they reduced the car's overall proportions significantly for 1977. Chevrolet toned down the distinctively stretched rear end of earlier Impalas. All Oldsmobiles can now be purchased with the 350-cubic-inch V8. The Impala was no longer produced after 1985, possibly due to a lack of new features. However, the Impala continued to be manufactured because of the success of the Caprice line of cars. The fans of the Chevrolet Impala won't have to wait too long for the classic muscle car to come back.
Seventh Generation Chevrolet Impala (1994–1996)
Chevrolet's design chief, Jon Moss, aimed to restore the Impala's reputation. At the 1992 Los Angeles Auto Show, Moss presented his new model, a concept car for the seventh generation of the Impala SS. The novel idea generated a lot of buzzes, and two years later, production of the SS Impala began. The 260 horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 LT-1 engine in this Impala was exactly what fans had been waiting for, and it was a nice throwback to the car's glorious past. The exterior was still circular and tiny but badged with SS branding. The seventh generation, which had declined, reached its peak in 1996. Chevrolet updated the gauge cluster, incorporating a tachometer and fixing several prior models' flaws. The increased demand for other automobiles of the era meant that Chevrolet still had to reduce manufacturing despite these advancements.
Eighth Generation Chevrolet Impala (2000–2005)
After withdrawing the Impala from sale in 1996, Chevrolet debuted a new generation of car under the Impala moniker in 1999. The eighth-generation Impala underwent the most radical transformation in the model's existence when it switched to the front-wheel-drive W Platform, also used by the Monte Carlo, the Buick Regal, and the Pontiac Grand Prix. The Impala benefited from the same technological advancement that enabled the other vehicles to become front-wheel drive.
Chevrolet fitted a 3.4 or 3.8-liter engine in the engine bay with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Ninth Generation Chevrolet Impala (2006–2016)
Upon entering its eighth generation, the Impala began to attract buyers primarily from fleets that used the car for law enforcement purposes. Chevrolet smoothed off its exterior, and they installed an instrument panel, new larger headlights, a modernized audio system, and seats. Four variations were available to buyers: the SS, LTZ, LT, and LS. The SS version came with a 303-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8 engine. After discontinuing the SS level in 2010, Chevrolet launched a universal engine for the Impala in 2012: a 3.6-liter V6 flex-fuel with an automated six-speed gearbox. The new engine had an astonishing 300 horsepower. The newest generation of Impalas featured cutting-edge gadgetry, including Bluetooth, MP3 players, and satellite radio.
Tenth Generation Chevrolet Impala (2014–2020)
Chevrolet's tenth-generation Impala, released in 2013 for the 2014 model year, shares its underpinnings with the Cadillac XTS and the Buick LaCrosse. GM retained the Epsilon II platform in both forms—with a short or long wheelbase—after parting ways with Opel and Saab. It was originally developed in Germany for FWD automobiles, but Chevrolet modified it in Sweden for AWD cars. In its fullest form, it met General Motors' requirements for a basic luxury vehicle. Chevrolet supplied the Impala with four engine options, including a hybrid model. The manufacturer included a six-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment for all trim levels.
Price
In 2020, Chevrolet retailed the Chevrolet Impala with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $32,495 for the LT (base) model, rising to $40,000 for the Premier version.
Features of the Chevrolet Impala
Exterior Features
This new version of the Impala full-size sedan has been transformed from a rental lot wallflower into a stunning vehicle. Its 201.3-inch length is effectively concealed by its taut sheet metal, making it look more modest than it is. The grille, which on many vehicles appears too large, is appropriately sized here. The sides gently bend, creases run slightly below the windows, while the tall, muscular hood flows into a wide windscreen and a sweptback top. Although the trunk lid appears to be somewhat short, there is quite a bit of storage space behind it. The LT has 18-inch wheels, while the Premier has 19-inch wheels as standard and 20-inch wheels as an option.
Interior Features
Chevrolet advertises itself as a brand for the "masses," but you wouldn't know it until you saw the trademark bowtie logo up front. Upon first glance, the most recent Impala's high level of equipment and polish will stand out. The standard LT has good furnishings, while the Premier is luxurious. Then the sedan's spacious cabin will blow your mind. With its roomy interior and comfortable seats, the Impala can accommodate five adults without squishing. The trunk's 18.8 cubic feet of space means you can take everything you need for a weekend getaway or a round of golf.
Release Date
The Chevrolet Impala was released from 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020 in 10 successful generations. The 2020 Chevrolet Impala was released in the third quarter of 2019.