This also makes the Impala the best buy among the cars with which it actually shares architecture, the smaller yet more expensive
Pontiac Grand Prix and
Buick LaCrosse (in industry lingo, the "W-cars"). As for why GM felt the urge to stretch one of its mid-size cars into a biggie to cannibalize everyone, your guess is as good as mine.
Here's the line in more detail. The Impala LS ($20,990) still starts with an iron-block pushrod V6, now at 3.5 liters and equipped with variable valve timing. Note that you're stuck with six-passenger seating here.
The LT costs $500 more for the addition of dual-zone climate controls, cargo net, floor mats, temperature display and compass, and Remote Start. On the same LT level, it's a $2,900 leap to buy the 3.9-liter, 242-horsepower version of the same engine (the most horrid-sounding V6 I've heard in years, by the way) along with antilock brakes, dual exhaust, tire pressure monitor, 17-inch wheels, spoiler, steering wheel controls, MP3 playback, folding back seats, and individual front seats.
Another $2,100 gets the LTZ ($26,490) for heated outside mirrors, auto-dimming mirror, HomeLink transmitter, Bose stereo, XM radio, and leather seats.
The final $500 gets the SS ($26,990) with the big bad V8, stiffer suspension, biggest spoiler, 18-inch wheels, and "techno-metallic" instrument panel and doors. Note that the SS gives up everything the LTZ added.
Impala's the cheapest all right - those numbers undercut the
Ford Five Hundred,
Hyundai Azera, and
Toyota Avalon by four-digit figures across the board. Oh, the Impala has one more surprise up its sleeve: it's the most reliable. Yes, you read correctly. GM apparently has no problem building durable American machinery as long as it's put together in Canada, for the folks in Oshawa, Ontario have been cranking out well-screwed-together W-cars all decade long. And because Toyota's been trippin on its first year of Avalons (checked the news lately?), the Impala has, for the moment, squeaked into first place.
Next Page