2014 Chevrolet Impala Preview

Introduction

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan sharing a platform with the Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XTS. This marks the first complete redesign for the Impala since the 2000 model year.

Exterior Features

The 2014 Impala wears a new grille design that Chevrolet has said will replace the split-grille appearance worn by some Chevy models today. A full-size sedan, the new 2014 Impala is equipped with a full-size trunk measuring 18.8 cubic feet.

Interior Features

The new Impala's interior features a "dual-cockpit" design, according to Chevrolet. The company says the Impala's redesigned seats are engineered to provide long-distance comfort and support. Liberal use of sound-absorbing materials leads Chevy to say that the 2014 Impala is "the quietest Chevy sedan ever built."

Optional Features

Chevrolet plans to sell the new Impala in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. As a buyer moves up from LS to LT and then LTZ trim, numerous features become available, including Chevrolet MyLink smartphone integration technology, ice-blue ambient lighting, leather seats, HID headlights with LED running lights, and more.

Under the Hood

Three different engines are planned for the 2014 Impala. A direct-injected 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making an estimated 195 horsepower is expected to be the most popular Impala engine. Additionally, the Impala will be available with a mild hybrid eAssist powertrain that combines a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a small electric-assist motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, good for a combined 182 horsepower. A direct-injected, 303-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine will also be offered. All 2014 Impalas will have a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

Fuel Economy

Chevrolet is making no fuel-economy predictions for the 2014 Impala as this preview is written, except to say that it expects the Impala eAssist to get 35 mpg on the highway.

Safety

In addition to 10 air bags, 4-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes, and a traction and stability control system, the 2014 Impala is equipped with OnStar telematics that includes a limited-time free subscription to Automatic Crash Notification service. This feature activates if the air bags deploy, putting an operator in touch with the Impala's occupants. Even if nobody can respond, the operator can dispatch rescue personnel to the car's exact location.

Technology

The redesigned Impala also gets a number of new safety technologies never before offered on the full-size Chevy sedan. These include lane-departure warning, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and an adaptive cruise control system with Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking. Notably, the adaptive cruise control is a full-speed-range system that can bring the Impala to a halt and accelerate the car from a standstill, ultimately resuming the set speed if traffic clears.