DecodedCarsChevrolet Impala
16 model years from 2005 to 2020, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2020
- Class
- Large Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 22–28 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2020)
- Recalls
- 18 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2014 (570)
- Fewest problems
- 2020
- Interest
- 34,981 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2020 Impala in brief
The 2020 Chevrolet Impala is a large car offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 201 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,662 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5l Ls/Lt/Ltz/2.4eco).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 28 highway), 6% worse than the 2020 large car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Chevrolet Impala has 16 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2020.
Its most efficient year was 2014 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 28 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (872), electronic stability control (esc) (514), engine (509).
Buying used? 2020 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (12); all years together count 18 campaigns and 3,206 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Impala compares
The 2005 Chevrolet Impala is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.4L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,607 lb (4dr Sedan FWD /SS).
About the Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size car that was built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in the United States.
From the Wikipedia article "Chevrolet Impala", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2020 Impala pros & cons
Full 2020 details →What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Emergency braking not standardAutomatic emergency braking is optional or limited to some trims.
Best and worst years to buy used
2020 Impala
15 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 3 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2015 Impala
300 owner complaints · 3 recalls · 11 fire reports · 10 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Impala changes by model year
- 2020
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 25 to 22
- 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2015
- No hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 28 to 25
- 2014
- New body dimensions: 0.8 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engines added: 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 28
- 2012
- Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl and 3.9L 6-cyl
- 2010
- Engine dropped: 5.3L 8-cyl
- 2006
- Engines added: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl
- Engines dropped: 3.4L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 16 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.6L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 15 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 59 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 117 |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | Not rated | 0 | 111 |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,662 lb | Not rated | 3 | 300 |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 201.2 in | 3,682 lb | Not rated | 12 | 570 |
| 2013 | 3.6L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,556 lb | Not rated | 1 | 232 |
| 2012 | 3.6L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,655 lb | Not rated | 3 | 175 |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,556 lb | Not rated | 2 | 252 |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,556 lb | Not rated | 4 | 242 |
| 2009 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl | 23 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,594 lb | Not rated | 4 | 432 |
| 2008 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,594 lb | Not rated | 2 | 278 |
| 2007 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,594 lb | Not rated | 1 | 163 |
| 2006 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.9L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 200.4 in | 3,594 lb | Not rated | 1 | 135 |
| 2005 | 3.4L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 200 in | 3,607 lb | Not rated | 1 | 97 |
Alternatives to the 2020 Impala
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Dodge Charger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Dodge Challenger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Passat | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →