The brake pedal feels firm and responsive. Braking is smooth and steady, and we applaud Chevy's decision to use discs at all four wheels, even on the base model.
Acceleration is brisk, though there's still an ever-present reminder that this is a front-wheel-drive car: Torque-steer rears its head during hard acceleration, especially with the more powerful 3.8-liter engine, felt as a slight tug on the steering wheel whenever you stomp down on the gas pedal.
Since you can get the big 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 as an option in the lower-priced base model, the Impala becomes the least expensive GM car powered by this gutsy pushrod engine. Chevy claims it will accelerate to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is quick for this class.
The police package cars will get the higher-ratio gearing from the Grand Prix, and should be quicker still. Police may learn to like this car, even though front-drivers are still looked upon with trepidation by America's men in blue. The front steering knuckles for police versions of the Impala are made of steel instead of weight-saving aluminum, though Chevy says the aluminum knuckles -- as well as the rest of the car -- exceeded durability tests. Off the record, Chevy's engineers said the new Impala passed tests that projected its life span at 400,000 miles. These tests included curb hopping, which is not normally part of a new car's durability cycle. Next Page