Automotive Review: 2011 Chevrolet Impala LTZ

It's easy to dismiss the 2011 Chevy Impala LTZ as just another rental car. When I chose it as a rental, I didn't expect much. I just wanted interior room so that I could arrive unwrinkled at my destination. I was pleasantly surprised by the car I found waiting for me in the rental car lot. The LTZ was far more than plain jane transportation; it was an understated sleeper in a city of bling. When I opened the door, I was greated by serious expanses of gray leather and an inviting leather-wrapped steering wheel that said, "Let's cruise."

Of course, the 2011 Chevy met my need for room with ease. It is a nice, roomy, car with space for passengers and a capacious trunk for their luggage. The LTZ offers a high-level of amenities with a leather interior, AM/FM/Satellite radio, and CD player. While the Impala line is often associated with police and government agencies, the LTZ has some styling subtleties. For example, it rides on Goodyear Tires on 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has a powerful 3.9-liter V-6 engine with a dual exhaust. Somehow this car manages to be understated on 18-inch rims with dual exhausts and a rear spoiler. According to Chevy, it even manages to get 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

On the road, I found the 2011 Impala LTZ to have the power, handling, and braking needed to handle the crumbling roads and crazy driving style of a big city. On the highway, the 230-horsepower could quickly propel the big car up to 80, handle undulating pavement, and stop for sudden traffic jams without drama. The car's suspension tended to be soft, gently floaty, and comfortable rather than taught, harsh, and sporty. The LTZ absorbed bumps and remained poised and comfortable. This car is for Shaft rather than James Bond. It works well on today's urban roads and crumbling highways.

The LTZ had plenty of power and the dual exhaust gave it a slighty deeper sound than the 2010 Ford Edge that I tested last year. I liked the smooth, but direct throttle response and immediate availability of power in the Impala. In comparison, the 2006 Toyota Highlander that I currently drive has a very lurchy, clunky, and hesitant drivetrain. The LTZ inspires confidence, but not foolishness.

Of course, the Chevy Impala LTZ is not perfect. At 6' 2", I found that the sunroof cuts into my headroom just a bit, but the seat is adjustable enough to compensate. In the interest of sleek looks and low drag the rear view mirrors are a bit small. While the LTZ has some stereo controls on the steering wheel. I used the ones on the console and found the radio tuning knob a bit far away. I found that it was easy to trip on the rather high door sills when getting in and out of this big car. That's too bad, because this full-sized car would be great for senior citizens who still want to get up and go. I like it because there aren't many cars proportioned for big and tall guys. If our 2003 Chevy Cavalier would have been a better car, I would be able to convince my wife to look at an Impala. I might still try. The Impala LTZ is a far nicer car than our Cavalier ever was.

Overall, I really liked the Chevy Impala LTZ. It's a roomy, powerful, car with nice features and options. It's a good "sleeper" car because it has plenty of power, but the understated styling is unlikely to attract police attention on the highway. The LTZ was a great rental and I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal on the Impala in the future.

Sources:
Chevrolet ( http://www.chevrolet.com/impala/features-specs/ )