Chevy Impala: 2006 Restyle Really Changed This Vehicle

When Chevy decided to change its Impala line in 2006, they pretty much broke the mold on the old vehicle and came out with something totally new.

The old model was nice, but aging. It still featured a semi-blacked out rear taillight assembly and a fairly plain design that was plainly getting old by 2005.
2006 Restyle

You couldn't say that in 2006 and later when they decided to come out with an Impala that was a full mid-sized, had room for five and featured ride and handling that were quite good right out of the box.

Looking at the restyle, the first thing you notice is the front end. The headlights are now fared nicely into the front fenders and the understated eggcrate grille tells you it's a Chevy (especially the brand-name "bowtie" logo that seemed to become a little larger and brighter). The rounded front end slopes gently up to a cowl that hides the windshield wipers. The hood is nicely styled and just fits with the rest of the vehicle so that from the front end through the sloping windshield, you have a very nice line.

The rounded front end has a small cross-section that works nicely with rounded front end. The line established by the front fenders carries through the doors and on through the rear quarter and sail panel so that you have a gently rounded wedge shape when you look at it from the side. The body is nicely finished by a slightly raked rear window that meets the decklid and finishes between two nicely fared taillight assemblies.
Many Interior Choices

The interior is nicely finished in a choice of cloth upholstery, velour-style upholstery or leather. For the driver, the layout is clean with single oval-style instrument cluster and center console. All key controls are either on stalks, the wheel or an easy reach away on the center console. The multi-adjustable driver's seat/steering wheel combination lets you find the right seating position for you (choose the power seat option, it is better than the hand cranks, although they work well, too and are more likely to be reliable over time).

This means that through turns and corners, you stay right where you should as the seat has right amount of bolstering and pretty good back support, although you can choose an upgraded bucket if you want one.

Powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, the Impala has three trim levels LS, LT1 and LTZ. Each builds on the earlier model so that when you reach the LTZ you have your choice of wide alloy wheels, power steering, brakes, driver's seat, side view mirrors, satellite radio. MP3 interface and Bluetooth capability, as well as automatic climate control and four-speed, overdrive automatic transmission.
3.5-Liter V-6

Interestingly, this V-6 engine/transmission combination puts out over 200 horsepower which is what you used to expect from small-block 8s years ago. It is a very tractable engine whose broad powerband means you can expect power to come on when you need it, even if you are driving in low-speed traffic.Chevrolet put together a very nice restyle of its Impala, one whose lines should last for a few more years. Its handling is good, and performance is equally nice. Best of all you can probably, depending on your trade, the amount you have to put down or the incentives the factory is offering, you can probably expect to spend somewhere in the upper teens for this vehicle. You won't go wrong with it.