1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Full Review

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1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Review

Introduced as an early '91 model, the full-size Chevrolet wore a new aero look atop its elderly rear-drive chassis. Sedans arrived in April 1990 in standard and upscale Classic trim; a station wagon followed that fall. Wagons are similar to the Buick Roadmaster and Olds Custom Cruiser. Bigger than prior Caprices, the '90s edition got antilock brakes and a driver-side airbag. Outboard rear occupants gained 3-point seatbelts. Six-passenger seating was standard in wagons, or an optional rear-facing third seat increased capacity to eight. Wagons included a roof rack, rear wiper/washer, and a tailgate that swung out or down. A sporty LTZ, added at midyear, offered a sports suspension and wider tires.

Year to Year Changes

1992 Chevrolet Impala: A larger optional V8 engine became available for Caprice wagons, which came in a single model. Speedometers now read to 100 mph, and a tilt wheel was standard.

1993 Chevrolet Impala: Rear wheelwells on Caprice sedans lost their "fender-skirt" look, turning instead to rounded wheel openings. Taillamps and rear trim were new, and rear track width grew by 1.6 inches. Both sedans now were known as Caprice Classics, in base or step-up LS trim. A larger (5.7-liter) V8, developing 180 horsepower, went into the performance-oriented LTZ sedan, and was optional in wagons.

1994 Chevrolet Impala: A passenger-side airbag joined the one on the driver's side. Not one, but two new engines replaced their '93 predecessors: a 4.3-liter V8, and a high-performance 5.7-liter derived from the Corvette's LT1 V8. Later in the model year, an aggressively styled, performance-oriented Impala SS joined up, carrying that toned-down LT1 V8 and police-type suspension. Caprices got a redesigned dashboard with digital speedometer, and an electronic automatic transmission replaced the hydraulically controlled unit.

1995 Chevrolet Impala: Caprice sedans adopted the rear roof pillar introduced in '94 on the Impala SS. That performance-oriented Impala SS now came in three colors, not just black. Seats were reshaped, foldaway mirrors added.

1996 Chevrolet Impala: The gearshift lever in the Impala SS moved from the steering column to the console. An analog speedometer replaced the digital unit, and a tachometer was installed. Production of both models halted during 1996.

1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Passenger and cargo room	Steering feel (Caprice)

Trailer towing capability	Ride/handling/roadholding (Caprice w/base suspension)

Antilock brakes	Wind noise

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Despite the new look for 1991, not much changed in this full-size sedan and wagon. Caprice's traditional soft ride is distressingly bouncy and floaty with the base suspension. Qualifying as virtually aquatic, the car leans way over in turns and wallows over wavy roads. Loose, vague steering impairs quick maneuvers. An optional F41 Ride/Handling suspension offers a slightly more assured feel, without much comfort loss. The sporty LTZ sedan option drew praise, and its stiffer suspension tightens handling considerably. The entertaining Impala SS of 1994-96 offers quite a secure feel on the road, leaning little in curves, its big tires grasping the pavement tenaciously. Wagon suspensions are firmer than those in sedans. The 5.0-liter V8 is understressed and quiet, with good low-end torque for easy merging/passing as well as brisk getaways. Still, it doesn't respond quickly to sharp jabs at the gas pedal. Gas mileage is nothing to boast about, either: We averaged only 16 mpg in a '91 sedan. A 5.7-liter V8 is quicker without guzzling much more fuel. The Corvette-based V8 introduced in 1994 is swifter yet, and none of the V8s demand premium gasoline. Mechanical noise while cruising is low, but wind roars constantly around the thick side pillars, detracting from the quiet ride. A Caprice is roomy, soft, and plush; though the bulky transmission tunnel robs leg room from center passengers, front and rear. The trunk is sizable. Controls are logical. Antilock braking is a welcome addition, but the nose dives too much in hard stops.

Value for the Money
GM's front-drive full-size sedans (Buick LeSabre, Olds Eighty Eight, Pontiac Bonneville) handle better and consume less fuel, but can't match Caprice's towing ability.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Chevrolet Caprice Classic sedan w/LT1 engine	Rating

Performance	7

Fuel Economy	2

Ride Quality	6

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	6

Room/Comfort (rear)	6

Cargo Capacity	6

Value within Class	7

Total:	54

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: TH-700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1991-93)

Engine noise: The exhaust valves on the 4.3- or 5.7-liter engines may not get enough lubrication causing a variety of noises. Usually, the same engine consumes excess oil because the valve-guide seals on the exhaust valves are bad and have to be replaced. (1994-96)

Steering noise: The upper bearing mount in the steering column can get loose and cause a snapping or clicking, requiring a new bearing spring and turn-signal cancel cam. (1994-96)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$465

Alternator	$280

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$780

Brakes	$220

Exhaust System	$460

Radiator	$480

Shocks and/or Struts	$250

Timing Chain or Belt	$305

Universal Joints	$260

NHTSA Recall History

1991: Shoulder-belt guide-loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel subplate; in a crash, seatbelt webbing can be cut.

1991-92: Secondary hood-latch assembly can corrode.

1991-96 police/taxi: Rear lower control arm can crack.

1992 w/special-order 4.3-liter engine: Engine-mounted fuel-feed and return pipes on some cars may fracture.

1992: Antilock brake-system modulator can corrode and leak fluid; may reduce brake effectiveness and increase stopping distance.

1994 Capri w/speed control system: The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness.

1994: Fuel-tank strap fasteners can detach, eventually allowing tank to sag.

1994: Oil-cooler inlet hose may be too close to steering gear, causing chafing that could result in leakage and fire.

1994: On small number of cars, paint between wheel and brake rotor/drum can cause lug nut to loosen.

1994-95: At low temperatures, throttle return spring could fail due to excess friction.

1994-95: Lower ball joint on a few cars sent to Guam and Puerto Rico can separate (also applies to 1995-96 police/taxi/limo).

1995: Improperly adjusted transmission linkage may permit shifting from "Park" position with ignition key removed.

1995-96 station wagon: Airbag caution label and roof-rack caution label were incorrectly installed on same side of sunvisor.

1995-96: Wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification. This could result in wheel loss.

1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1991
Caprice sedan	$1,600-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$200-300
Caprice wagon	$1,700-2,200	$1,100-1,500	$300

1992
Caprice sedan	$1,900-2,500	$1,300-1,700	$300-400
Caprice wagon	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500

1993
Caprice sedan	$2,400-2,900	$1,700-2,100	$500-600
Caprice wagon	$2,600-3,100	$1,900-2,300	$500-700

1994
Caprice sedan	$2,800-3,300	$2,100-2,500	$600-700
Caprice wagon	$3,000-3,500	$2,300-2,700	$700-800
Impala SS	$6,300-7,200	$5,500-6,300	$2,800-3,200

1995
Caprice sedan	$3,300-3,900	$2,600-3,100	$800-1,000
Caprice wagon	$3,500-4,100	$2,800-3,300	$900-1,100
Impala SS	$7,500-8,400	$6,800-7,600	$3,800-4,200

1996
Caprice sedan	$3,800-4,400	$3,100-3,600	$1,200-1,400
Caprice wagon	$4,100-4,700	$3,400-3,900	$1,400-1,600
Impala SS	$8,800-9,800	$7,900-8,800	$4,600-5,100

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	115.9	115.9

Overall Length, in.	214.1	217.3

Overall Width, in.	77.5	79.6

Overall Height, in.	55.7	60.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	4061	4473

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	20.4	92.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.1	21.0

Seating Capacity	6	8

Front Head Room, in.	39.2	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4	39.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.5	38.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Only one powertrain was available for the '91 Caprice: Chevrolet's 5.0-liter fuel-injected V8, sending its 170 horsepower to a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 5.7-liter V8, optional in 1992-93 wagons (standard in '93 LTZ sedan), produced only 10 more horsepower than the 5.0, but 45 more pound-feet of torque--just right to haul heavy loads and tow big trailers. For 1994, a 4.3-liter V8 replaced the 5.0-liter, hooked to a new electronically controlled transmission and making 200 horsepower. At the same time, a potent new 260-horsepower version of the 5.7-liter V8 became optional--an evolution of the LT1 engine in Corvettes. That V8 was standard in the Impala SS. For its final year (1996), torque output on the LT1-based engine peaked at lower engine speed.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V8	4.3 / 265	200	235-245	4-speed automatic: 18/26	4-speed automatic: --

ohv V8	5.0 / 305	170	255	4-speed automatic: 17/26	4-speed automatic: 16

ohv V8	5.7 / 350	180	300	4-speed automatic: 16/25	4-speed automatic: --

ohv V8	5.7 / 350	260	330	4-speed automatic: 17/26	4-speed automatic: 17

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1995 Caprice	1995 Caprice

Front Impact, Driver	--	--

Front Impact, Passenger	--	--

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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Also in the 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Review:

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Road Test

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Reliability

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Prices

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Photos

Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS Full Review