2018 Chevrolet Impala

Perhaps best known as a car loved by police departments and taxi drivers everywhere, the Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan that competes for Canadian buyers with a surprising number of cars from manufacturers like Ford, Kia and Toyota.

Like those other companies, Chevrolet isn’t putting a lot of money into its big sedans, having last redesigned the Impala in 2014. For this year, however, it gets a handful of updates that shuffle a few standard features across its various trim levels. The mid-range LT is the biggest benefactor, gaining standard LED daytime running lights and remote engine starting, plus a passive keyless entry that’s now standard across the range. LT trim also gets new options in a sunroof and spoiler package and a heated steering wheel that can be added in the LT convenience group.

Impala’s LS, LT and Premier trims are carried over from last year, as are its powertrain choices. LS and LT come with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 197 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, while a 3.6L V6 good for 305 hp and 264 lb-ft is an option in those versions and is standard in Premier configuration. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive; AWD is not available.

Another thing that hasn’t changed is the Impala’s quiet, smooth drive. It’s a brilliant highway car that will cruise comfortably all day long while returning decent economy, and a spacious back seat and trunk mean four people can travel in comfort.

This isn’t the snoozy sedan it used to be. The Impala will take to a speedy highway on ramp with some confidence and the compliant suspension is surprisingly good at controlling body motions. The V6 is endows this car with great straight-line acceleration, too.

Though the Impala is geared toward a more mature audience, LT and Premier models get an 8.0-inch MyLink infotainment touchscreen along with Bluetooth, USB input, Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone integration and an LTE wireless internet hot spot. Other tech options include a Bose stereo and wireless smartphone charging.

Active safety is available here too in the form of an LT V6 driver confidence package that bundles rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, rear park assist and lane change alert, all of which are standard in Premier trim. That top-end model can be further equipped with forward collision alert, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise. Notable by its omission is automatic emergency braking.

Fuel consumption estimates are 10.9/7.9 L/100 km (city/highway) with the four-cylinder engine and 12.7/8.5 in V6 cars.