1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS
- Price Range: $1,000 - $8,100
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Related to Chevrolet Impala
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Pros
- Acceleration
- Passenger and cargo room
- Antilock brakes
- Trailer towing capability
Cons
- Ride/handling/roadholding (Caprice w/base suspension)
- Wind noise
- Fuel economy
- Steering feel (Caprice)
Vehicle Highlights
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.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Chevrolet Caprice Classic sedan w/LT1 engine Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| 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 Score: | 55 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala SS is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Chevrolet Caprice Classic sedan w/LT1 engine Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| 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 Score: | 55 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| 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 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 1996 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $3,500-4,100 | $2,800-3,300 | $900-1,100 |
| Caprice wagon | $3,700-4,300 | $3,000-3,500 | $1,100-1,200 |
| Impala SS | $8,000-9,000 | $7,200-8,100 | $4,100-4,600 |
| 1995 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $3,000-3,600 | $2,300-2,800 | $700-800 |
| Caprice wagon | $3,200-3,800 | $2,500-3,000 | $800-1,000 |
| Impala SS | $6,800-7,700 | $6,100-6,900 | $3,200-3,600 |
| 1994 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $2,500-3,100 | $1,800-2,300 | $500-700 |
| Caprice wagon | $2,700-3,300 | $2,000-2,500 | $600-700 |
| Impala SS | $5,800-6,700 | $5,000-5,800 | $2,400-2,800 |
| 1993 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $2,000-2,600 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Caprice wagon | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| 1992 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $1,700-2,300 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| Caprice wagon | $1,900-2,400 | $1,300-1,700 | $300-400 |
| 1991 | |||
| Caprice sedan | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| Caprice wagon | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
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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 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| 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 | 4.3 / 265 | 200 | 235-245 | 4-speed automatic: 18/26 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V8 | 5.7 / 350 | 260 | 330 | 4-speed automatic: 17/26 | 4-speed automatic: 17 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 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%. Sideimpact 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%.








