2015 Chevrolet Impala Quick Spin Review

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala was completely reinvented just last year, thanks to a wholesale redesign that transformed a former fleet favorite into a technologically advanced, modern-day full-size sedan. However, that doesn’t mean the Bowtie brand is resting on its laurels; instead, the Impala brings yet more breakthroughs to the segment this year with a mobile wi-fi hotspot, 4G LTE connectivity, a standard stop/start powertrain, and a first-in-class bi-fuel setup that allows the car to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG).

A streamlined profile, expressive characters lines and sporty proportions—enhanced by a long hood and short rear deck—provide the Impala with a sophisticated full-size presence, and it’s matched by an upscale, detailed cabin offering premium materials, wraparound style cues, ice-blue ambient lighting and an array of handy storage areas.

The standard Impala can post an EPA line of 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, with that relatively robust performance getting a nice boost from a new technology: a stop/start system that goes with the Impala’s 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. For an added bonus, engineers have revised the shift points for the Impala’s standard six-speed automatic transmission so that owners can make the most of the engine’s 196 hp and 186 lb.-ft. of torque. Additional power is on tap in the 3.6-liter V6 that’s the premium engine choice for the Impala, where it serves up 305 horses and 264 lb.-ft. of twisting power—and EPA grades of 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway/22 mpg combined (or 18/30/22 in the Impala Limited).

There’s also a major surprise in-store here, in the form of a bi-fuel powertrain that makes the 2015 Chevrolet Impala the only car in its class capable of running on CNG or gasoline; expected in dealerships this fall, the bi-fuel Impala is projected for 500-mile driving range that includes 150 miles on CNG and 350 on gasoline.

NHTSA has rated the 2015 Chevy Impala as a 5-star overall safety performer, while Chevrolet has stuffed the car with 10 standard airbags, and engineers have helped matters by offering full-speed-range adaptive cruise control, crash-imminent braking, forward collision alert, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-vision camera, ultrasonic parking assistance and a brake pre-fill feature that can ensure the Impala’s stoppers are fully charged if a potential emergency-braking situation is detected.

Available from a starting point of $27,060, the 2015 Impala showcases the OnStar 4G LTE mobile wi-fi capability as standard equipment, along with six-speaker sound system with amplifier, while a full Chevrolet MyLink system is offered for the upper-range models and includes an 8-inch touchscreen, voice control, gesture recognition, multiple USB ports, an SD card slot, the ability to leverage Siri Eyes Free mode on select iPhones, and a text-messaging assistant that can “read” incoming messages and then send pre-prepared outgoing responses. The premium Impala versions also can be ordered with a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound setup, backed by 11 speakers, and Bose engineers pitched in by providing active noise cancellation for four-cylinder models, too.

Moreover, that long list of proactive safety systems comes standard on the range-topping Impala, priced from $34,465 and also boasting keyless access, pushbutton start, a leather-appointed interior with eight-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats, and design upgrades like 19-inch, machine-faced aluminum wheels, LED daytime running lamps, and a dual-outlet exhaust.