Used 2013 Chevrolet Impala

Straying little from its original formula as a big, comfortable American car, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala is a modern day example of a traditional automotive concept. A roomy cabin, equally spacious trunk and sofa-soft ride speak to its heritage, while a host of available tech features help convey the Impala’s contemporary appeal. Striking design has never been a strong suit for the Chevy Impala, and the current model is growing rather long in the tooth. Driving the 2013 Chevy Impala is about as straightforward as it gets, but competitors such as the Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon and the Nissan Maxima all offer a higher degree of style and sophistication.

The 2013 Impala gains greatly from the recently adopted 3.6-liter V6. This 300-horsepower engine is velvety-smooth, silent and strong. The 6-speed automatic transmission delivers seamless shifts and helps the 2013 Chevy Impala sedan achieve an impressive 30-mpg rating on the highway. The Impala’s seating is supportive both front and rear, with wide bucket seats long on comfort but short on side bolstering. Engine and road noise have been minimized considerably compared to years past. Regardless of trim, the Impala delivers a soft, comfortable ride ideal for straight, smooth pavement, but sporty handling is not its forte. However, if you do plan to do a bit of aggressive driving now and again, the top-level Impala LTZ offers a more solid feel and better handling, thanks to its 18-inch wheel-and-tire package.

The 2013 Chevrolet Impala’s interior is highlighted by simple instruments with large, easy-to-read numerals and lettering. Large rotary knobs for the radio and ventilation are also a nice change from smallish, hard-to-decipher buttons, and it’s easy to find a place to keep small items thanks to the numerous cupholders and storage areas. The Impala is one of the last cars to offer an available front bench seat, which ups the seating capacity to six, but trims will likely go out the door with a comfortable set of bucket seats divided by a wide center console. The Impala’s available flip-and-fold rear seat increases an already massive trunk capacity, and provides an additional storage bin hidden beneath the seat bottom.

Conservative may be the best term to describe the Impala’s exterior, as flat body panels and humble linear lines struggle to convey an impression of depth. A touch of flair finds its way onto the range-topping LTZ trim in the form of 18-inch split-spoke wheels and front foglights. We like that the roofline remains high as it moves rearward, a design that improves rear-seat headroom. The Impala’s trunklid opens straight up to allow for easy loading and unloading, and the low liftover height aids when loading heavy or large items.

BOSE AUDIO
A feature usually not found in basic family sedans, the 8-speaker Bose audio system, available on the LT and standard on the LTZ, is a definite must for music lovers.

FOLD-FLAT SPLIT REAR SEAT
Flip up the seat bottoms, fold down the seatbacks, and the Impala’s already massive trunk becomes a virtual cargo bed for lengthy objects.

In base LS form, standard equipment consists of a 3.6-liter V6, 6-speed automatic transmission, 6-way power driver’s seat, 16-inch alloy wheels and a 6-speaker sound system with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and an auxiliary audio jack. Stolen vehicle assistance, remote ignition and turn-by-turn directions are also included in a 6-month trial subscription to OnStar. Basic safety features include six airbags and a full complement of electronic stability systems.

The 2013 Chevy Impala is available in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ. LS options are limited to a front bench seat, while LT models offer a new Luxury Edition Package packed with features previously reserved for the LTZ trim, such as an 8-speaker Bose sound system, Homelink universal garage door opener, heated front seats, leather, and a 6-way power passenger seat.

A direct fuel-injected 3.6-liter V6 is the sole engine choice for the 2013 Chevy Impala. This E85 compatible mill is matched with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which is known as one of GM’s best for its smooth shifts, quiet operation and ability to immediately select the proper gear for steep grades and aggressive lane changes.

3.6-liter V6
300 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/30 mpg (gasoline), 13/22 mpg (E85)