When the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Impala goes on sale early next year, eight years will have passed since the bow-tie brand’s large front-drive sedan had a major redesign. Unlike the last refresh that brought new engines and bodywork to the dated platform, the 2014 Impala offers drastic styling changes along with new powertrain options. Will the refresh be enough to pull the Impala out of the rental car lot and into your driveway?
The 2014 Impala is only an inch longer than the outgoing model, but its styling is all new. A swooping roofline gives it a sleeker profile. From the side, a character line starts low on the rear doors and curves back over the rear haunches, reminiscent of classic Monte Carlos. Projector headlights (HIDs available) with LED running lights are crisp and the grille features the horizontal bars from the refreshed 2013 Traverse. The hood gets a slight power bulge similar to the Camaro.
Around back the trunk lid finishes off with an integrated lip spoiler. The 2005 Impala was the last to feature distinctive, round taillights and the 2014 Impala moves further away from the classic design element with more Lexus-like taillights. Larger 18-inch wheels are standard; 19- and 20-inch alloys are available.
The 2014 Impala’s interior has been upgraded with Ultrasuede, perforated leather, and soft-touch materials. The wraparound dashboard is modern and the gauge cluster includes a 4.2-inch color display. Seats have higher-quality stitching and a more premium look. An 8-inch touch screen hides a storage compartment in the center stack. Bluetooth, navigation, and Chevy’s MyLink are now available.
So again we ask: Will the refresh be enough put the Impala in driveways instead of rental lots? Sound off below.
Last week, we featured the refreshed 2013 SRT Viper and the reactions were mixed. Commenter funwithponies 2383 liked the new Viper saying: “Refreshing! I see more of the original Viper in this one than I did the second (generation) one. This is welcomed by me, and I love the move from angular to curves. The rear of the car is very clean and I like it very much, this car and the Impala saved the New York auto show as there wasn’t too much there to see.”
Eric was less impressed, saying: “Disappointing. From the front axle back it’s the old Viper. They just slapped a new nose on it and made a few more cosmetic changes. The modern, more angular front doesn’t mesh with the rest of the car.”
