2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2008 Chevrolet Impala
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2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala ▼
- Price Range: $9,500 - $20,200
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (SS)
- Steering/handling (SS)
- Ride
- Seat comfort
Cons
- Fuel economy (SS)
- Rear-seat room and comfort
- Ride (w/16-inch tires)
Vehicle Highlights
Chevrolet updated its largest sedan (and equivalent Monte Carlo coupe) for 2006 with new engines, reworked suspensions, and revised exterior styling. Front-drive competitors included the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. Both the midsize Impala sedan and the Monte Carlo coupe were offered in LS, LT 3.5, LT 3.9, LTZ, and sporty SS trim. LS and LT 3.5 models came with a 211-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 (up 30 hp from 2005's base engine). LT 3.9 and LTZ sedans held a 242-horsepower, 3.9-liter V6. Chevrolet's SS models got a 303-horsepower V8 with GM's Displacement on Demand, which deactivated four cylinders under light throttle conditions to save fuel. Supercharged models were no longer offered. All came with a four-speed automatic transmission. SS models had a sport suspension and 18-inch tires; others rode on 16- or 17-inch rubber, depending on the model. Available for all Impala models except the SS was a front bench seat for six-passenger capacity. The SS came only with front buckets. Head-protecting curtain side airbags were standard in Impalas, but not available for Monte Carlo coupes. Front torso side airbags were optional. Antilock braking, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitor were available. GM's OnStar Assistance was standard. Additional options included a remote starter that turned the engine on via the keyfob, leather upholstery, and satellite radio.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Impala LTZ Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala.
Year to Year Changes
2007 Chevrolet Impala:
New for the 3.9-liter V6 and carried over for the V8 was GM's Active Fuel Management, which deactivated half of the engine's cylinders while cruising, to save fuel. A tire-pressure monitor became standard, and SS Impalas gained leather-appointed seats.
2008 Chevrolet Impala:
The 2008 Chevrolet Impala is largely unchanged. The similar 2-door Monte Carlo coupe has been discontinued.
Our road test for the 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
All Impalas are peppy from a stop. Chevrolet's V6 engines are comparable in around-town driving, but the 3.9 has better midrange passing response in the 35-55 mph range. The V8 furnishes ample power at any speed. Ethanol-blended E85 fuel can be used in the 3.5-liter V6, and it shows no difference in acceleration compared to all-gasoline. A test Impala SS averaged 20.3 mpg in mostly highway driving, but a 3.5-liter V6 managed 24.2 mpg. Using E85 fuel, an Impala with the 3.5-liter V6 averaged 16.9 mpg overall and 22.9 mpg in mostly highway driving. E85 provides lower mileage figures than gasoline. Chevrolet recommends regular-grade gasoline for V6s, but premium for V8s. Expect a soft ride, but some float and wallow with 16-inch tires. Available 17-inch tires temper much of the unwanted motion. Little comfort penalty is evident with the SS, despite its sport suspension and 18-inch wheels. Stable handling is the rule, with well-balanced steering. The SS sedan has the sportiest moves, but no Impala feels agile. Stopping power is good, but Chevrolet should have made ABS standard on all Impalas. Wind rush and tire roar both intrude slightly. In rapid acceleration, V6 engines emit a prominent growl. The V8s are subdued at cruise, but deliver a "muscle car" rumble under throttle. Assorted squeaks were noted in one test Impala. Gauges are clearly marked and easy to read. Large radio/climate controls have easy-grip rubberized surfaces, and operate smoothly. Cabin materials are serviceable, but hard plastic dominates. Impala trails most like-priced imports for quality look and feel. Comfortable front seats produce adequate head and leg room. With standard six-passenger seating, the bench-seat bottom is too short for long-distance comfort. Entry/exit is easy, but the narrow cabin limits three-abreast seating to short trips and smaller passengers. Decent visibility is compromised slightly by thick rear pillars, sharply angled back window, and smallish outside rearview mirrors. Rear leg room is adequate, but head room tight for taller adults. Narrow door bottoms slightly impede rear entry/exit. Usefully roomy, the trunk has a flat floor. The trunklid uses non-intrusive strut-type hinges, but odd-shaped opening hampers loading bulky objects. Rear-seat cushions flip forward to reveal handy storage wells and grocery-bag hooks. Cabin storage is adequate.
Value for the Money
Chevrolet's top-selling sedan is affordable, relatively roomy, and has competent road manners. It gained curtain side airbags and improved powertrains for 2006, but continues to trail top import rivals in overall refinement. Impalas still feel dated compared to midsize pacesetters like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Chevrolet's top-selling sedan is affordable, relatively roomy, and has competent road manners. It gained curtain side airbags and improved powertrains for 2006, but continues to trail top import rivals in overall refinement. Impalas still feel dated compared to midsize pacesetters like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Impala LTZ Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 6 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
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:
A wire for the transmission's torque converter clutch may rub on its clip and short out causing harsh shifting. (2006)
Automatic transmission:
A shudder or lack of power in second gear could be caused by a malfunctioning piston in the model 4T65E automatic transmission. (2006)
Brakes:
A campaign was conducted to reprogram the electronic brake control module on cars with ABS and fitted with 17 in. or 18 in. wheels. (2006)
Horn:
The horn fails from water getting inside and the replacement horn should have a splash shield. (2006)
Keyless entry:
The remote keyless entry system may not work or may work poorly and/or the tire pressure warning may come on due to a malfunction of the receiver and antenna. (2006-07)
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 | $820 |
| Alternator | $590 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $6,010 |
| Brakes | $850 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,700 |
| Exhaust System | $780 |
| Radiator | $700 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $3,890 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $2,350 |
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 |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Impala LS, LT | $14,800-17,000 | $13,500-15,500 | $9,300-10,700 |
| Impala LTZ | $17,500-19,200 | $16,100-17,700 | $11,200-12,300 |
| Impala SS | $20,500-22,000 | $18,900-20,200 | $13,300-14,300 |
| 2007 | |||
| Impala LS, LT | $12,500-14,700 | $11,300-13,200 | $7,100-8,400 |
| Impala LTZ | $15,000-16,500 | $13,700-15,000 | $9,500-10,400 |
| Impala SS | $18,000-19,500 | $16,600-17,900 | $11,500-12,500 |
| 2006 | |||
| Impala LS, LT | $10,500-12,300 | $9,500-11,100 | $5,600-6,500 |
| Impala LTZ | $13,000-14,500 | $11,800-13,200 | $7,500-8,400 |
| Impala SS | $15,500-17,000 | $14,100-15,500 | $9,900-10,900 |
|
|
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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. | 200.4 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 58.7 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3553 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 18.6 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.3 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.6 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Two V6 engines and a V8 have been available under Impala hoods, each driving a four-speed automatic transmission. LS and LT 3.5 models used a 211-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. The LT 3.9 and LTZ contained a 242-horsepower 3.9-liter V6 (later rated to 233 hp). SS models unleashed a 303-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 with GM's Displacement on Demand, which deactivated four cylinders under light throttle conditions to save fuel. For 2007, the fuel-saving system also was installed on the 3.9-liter V6.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.5 / 213 | 211 | 214 | 4-speed automatic: 21/31 | 4-speed automatic: 24.2 |
| ohv V8 | 5.3 / 325 | 303 | 323 | 4-speed automatic: 18/27 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V6 | 3.9 / 237 | 233-242 | 240-242 | 4-speed automatic: 20/29 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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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 | 2006 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 2006-2008 Chevrolet Impala directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2006 w/manual passenger seat adjustor:
Left floor mounting bracket may be dislocated; in a severe crash, adjuster may separate from bracket.
2007:
2007's fuel tank may be missing the adhesive layer that bonds barrier layer to outer shell, allowing fuel and/or vapors to seep out, increasing risk of fire.
2007:
The fuel tank is missing the adhesive layer that bonds the barrier layer to the outer shell of the fuel tank. With this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect the serial number on the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank if necessary.
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