2003 Chevrolet Impala Review: Road Test

The view out of the Impala is good, helped particularly by the small quarter windows that split the rear pillars. The creases on the hood are useful for judging just where the front of the car is, which in turn is handy for parking a big car in compact spaces. The rear deck lid seems high, however, so care is required when backing up.

Handling is surprisingly quick and sharp. This is not the wallowing, live-axle barge from the 1960s. One reason is the Impala's extruded aluminum engine-cradle subframe, a first for the industry says Chevrolet, which isolates vibration while allowing for a more rigid structure. A monster dashboard bulkhead made of light and strong magnesium further enhances to the Impala's rigidity, giving the car a robust feel. The engine cradle and dashboard structure lock the steering shaft down tightly, so there are no excess wiggly movements. Chevy says a novel link between the steering column and the steering gear contributes to better on-center feel at the wheel. Both Impala models benefit from anti-roll bars front and rear, hardware associated with sports sedans.