2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2005 Chevrolet Impala
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2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala ▼
- Price Range: $2,800 - $13,200
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Instruments/controls
- Handling/roadholding
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- Road noise
- Rear-seat comfort
Vehicle Highlights
Chevrolet revived a famous old name when it issued a modern version of the Impala for 2000. The new front-drive midsize sedan was smaller in dimensions, sharing its basic understructure with the Buick Century and Regal, Oldsmobile Intrigue, and Pontiac Grand Prix. A 3.4-liter V6 engine was standard in the base model. The upscale LS sedan got a 3.8-liter V6, which was optional on the base Impala. Both had a four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks. A side-impact airbag for the driver was standard in the LS and optional in the base Impala. Also standard in the LS were antilock braking, a tire-inflation monitor, traction control, and a "firm-ride" suspension. Each of those extras also was included with the bigger-engine option for the base-model Impala. Leather upholstery was available for both models, including a split folding rear seatback. GM's OnStar emergency/communications system also was optional.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Chevrolet Impala LS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 59 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala.
Year to Year Changes
2001 Chevrolet Impala:
GM's OnStar system became standard in the LS sedan and optional in the base model. Otherwise, no change was evident apart from a new emergency inside trunk release. Although Impala ranks as Chevrolet's "traditional" midsize model, the less-costly Malibu sells far better.
2002 Chevrolet Impala:
For 2002, the base model added dual-zone climate controls and a cassette player as standard equipment.
2003 Chevrolet Impala:
Driver-side airbag and GM's OnStar assistance system move from standard equipment to options on the LS, while the base Impala adds remote keyless entry. Newly available for both is XM satellite radio with 100-channel digital receiver.
2004 Chevrolet Impala:
A supercharged version of the Impala, the SS, is new for '04. It comes with a supercharged 240-hp 3.8-liter V6, sport suspension tuning, and 17 inch wheels.
2005 Chevrolet Impala:
Standard OnStar assistance tops the short list of 2005 additions to Impala. The SS also includes 17-inch wheels vs. other models' 16s; it offers chrome-finished 17s as a new option. Also new for SS are minor trim changes outside and different front headrests. SS and LS have front bucket seats and carry five passengers, though LS now offers a front bench seat for 6-passenger capacity.
Our road test for the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Even though the modern-day Impala is a far cry from the V8-powered Super Sport of the distant past, or the Impala SS of the early '90s, the sedan acquits itself nicely in most respects. Power is adequate with the base engine, while the 3.8-liter delivers usefully stronger takeoffs and passing response. An alert, smooth-shifting automatic transmission helps, but neither engine sounds smooth or refined when pushed hard. A 3.8-liter LS averaged 20.1 mpg, with a lot of highway mileage. In a more even mix of driving, a 3.4-liter Impala got 19.8 mpg. A good ride/handling balance makes this family four-door pleasing to drive. Even the Ride and Handling suspension that accompanies the bigger engine absorbs most bumps well, while tempering much of the float and wallow that plague the base suspension over high-speed dips. Any Impala furnishes good grip and balance, along with authoritative steering feel. Stopping power is good, though pedal feel could be firmer. Wind noise is low, but tire roar intrudes somewhat on coarse pavement. Space is sufficient for 6-footers to ride in tandem without cramping of legs. Still, there's not quite enough seat width for three large adults. The back-seat cushion is far too soft and short, lacking in contour for satisfying comfort. Head room is good all around, even with an optional moonroof. Entry/exit is big-car easy, but tall-tail styling impedes rearward vision. The ample flat-floor trunk has a long, wide opening, but the glovebox is puny.
Value for the Money
A clear alternative to the Ford Taurus (as redesigned for 2000), the Impala promises comfort-oriented American style as opposed to the Taurus's import-influenced approach. Impala beats Taurus in powertrain response, while Ford leads in safety features and back-seat comfort. Both offer more room and equipment for the price than an equivalent Accord or Camry, though Japanese-brand rivals are more polished all-around.
A clear alternative to the Ford Taurus (as redesigned for 2000), the Impala promises comfort-oriented American style as opposed to the Taurus's import-influenced approach. Impala beats Taurus in powertrain response, while Ford leads in safety features and back-seat comfort. Both offer more room and equipment for the price than an equivalent Accord or Camry, though Japanese-brand rivals are more polished all-around.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Chevrolet Impala LS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 59 |
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.
Our reliability study for this generation Chevrolet Impala includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Chevrolet Impala .
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:
The column-mounted shift lever is hard to move out of park due to the interlock cable being too long. (2000)
Battery:
A problem with the ground circuit of the trunk light causes the battery to go dead. (2000-01)
Brakes:
The rear brakes make squealing or moaning noises. Countermeasure brake pads are available. (2000-01)
Coolant leak:
Coolant loss via plastic intake manifold is corrected by installing upgraded manifold and gaskets plus new PCV kit. (2000-04)
Coolant leak:
The 3.8-liter V6 may leak coolant into the engine from the intake manifold. A new gasket kit, revised throttle body nuts, and sealing compound is available. Redesigned manifolds are also available in the aftermarket. (2000-04)
Vehicle noise:
Fuel makes banging and sloshing noises in the tank when less than half full. (2000)
Vehicle noise:
Banging, clunking, or popping noises from the front under acceleration or braking require shims between the engine cradle and frame. (2000)
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 | $525 |
| Alternator | $275 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $895 |
| Brakes | $485 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $750 |
| Exhaust System | $565 |
| Radiator | $450 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $975 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $325 |
Our price chart for this generation Chevrolet Impala details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2005 | |||
| Impala | $8,500-9,500 | $7,700-8,600 | $4,400-4,900 |
| Impala LS | $10,200-11,200 | $9,200-10,100 | $5,300-5,800 |
| Impala SS | $13,000-14,500 | $11,800-13,200 | $7,500-8,400 |
| 2004 | |||
| Impala | $7,200-8,200 | $6,400-7,300 | $3,500-4,000 |
| Impala LS | $8,800-9,800 | $7,900-8,800 | $4,600-5,100 |
| Impala SS | $11,000-12,500 | $9,900-11,300 | $5,900-6,800 |
| 2003 | |||
| Impala | $6,000-6,800 | $5,200-5,900 | $2,500-2,900 |
| Impala LS | $7,500-8,400 | $6,800-7,600 | $3,800-4,200 |
| 2002 | |||
| Impala | $4,900-5,700 | $4,200-4,800 | $1,900-2,200 |
| Impala LS | $6,200-7,000 | $5,400-6,100 | $2,700-3,000 |
| 2001 | |||
| Impala | $4,000-4,700 | $3,300-3,900 | $1,300-1,500 |
| Impala LS | $5,200-6,000 | $4,400-5,100 | $2,100-2,400 |
| 2000 | |||
| Impala | $3,500-4,200 | $2,800-3,400 | $900-1,100 |
| Impala LS | $4,500-5,200 | $3,700-4,300 | $1,600-1,900 |
|
|
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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.
Specs for this generation Chevrolet Impala include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 110.5 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 200.0 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.0 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3389 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 17.6 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.2 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.2 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.8 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 38.4 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 3.4-liter V6 in the base Impala produced 180 horsepower, versus 200 hp from the 3.8-liter engine in the Impala LS. Both engines mated with a four-speed automatic transmission. New for '04 is the Impala SS, with a supercharged 240-hp 3.8-liter V6.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 240 | 280 | 4-speed automatic: -- | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V6 | 3.4 / 205 | 180 | 205 | 4-speed automatic: 20/32 | 4-speed automatic: 19.8 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 200 | 225 | 4-speed automatic: 20/29 | 4-speed automatic: 20.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Chevrolet Impala include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2000 Impala |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2000 w/TRW seatbelt-buckle assemblies:
Seatbelt-buckle assemblies fail to conform to federal requirements, because buckle base was not properly heat treated.
2001:
On certain cars, airbag sensing and diagnostic modules could experience a memory error, and airbags might not deploy during a crash.
2002:
Airbag inflator may fracture and cause injury.
2004:
Both front brake caliper-to-steering knuckle attachment bolts may be inadequately tightened; if a bolt backs out or fractures, this can result in locking of the wheel during braking, abrupt steering input, reduced braking or steering control, noise, severing of brake hose, or increased brake-pedal travel.
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