2004 Chevrolet Impala Review

The Impala SS has been an iconic Chevrolet model since it arrived in 1961, when Alan Shepard blasted into space and U.S. stamps cost four cents. The 2004 Impala SS seeks to continue the colorful "SS'' tradition.

The legendary 1960s Impala SS (Super Sport) models arrived as an option package for the 1961 Impala. It was a full-size car, when few big cars were sporty or very affordable. Chevy said the 1961 Impala SS was for those "who like sports car flair and go, teamed with big car elegance.'' It might have added "big car roominess.''

You could get the 1961 Impala SS with a monster 409-cubic-inch V-8 that kicked out 360 horsepower and was immortalized by the Beach Boys' 1962 hit "409.''

The Impala SS, which became a distinct model in 1964, was the best performing large Chevrolet in history. It had mighty V-8s, ultra-quick power steering, four-speed manual transmissions, sport suspensions and race-style sintered-metallic brake linings.

The Impala name arrived in 1958 as a limited production version of the high line Bel Air hardtop and convertible. At $2,841, the Impala convertible was the costliest 1958 Chevy.

The Impala was such a hit that it was made a separate model for 1959, and the Impala name would become synonymous with "Chevrolet'' for decades. The SS version was just icing on the cake for the Impala, which sold so well in the 1960s that it was nicknamed "America's sweetheart.''

The Impala SS disappeared after 1969 because Chevrolet concentrated on meeting new safety and emissions laws in the 1970s. It was brought back in 1994 as a limited-production high-performance version of the big Chevrolet Caprice sedan and lasted through 1996, when the Caprice was dropped. The Impala SS was offered only in black during its first year, with only a few extra colors added before it was dropped.

The 1994-96 Impala SS had a 350-cubic-inch V-8 with 260 horsepower. It also featured a sport suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and a slightly sportier interior than the Caprice. It had the traditional front-engine/rear-drive layout of the 1960s' Impala SS.

The 1990s Caprice was largely a flop, but the Impala SS version was a hot seller and instant collectible -- now valued from $18,350 to $22,425.

Chevrolet is anxious to increase auto sales, so it was a logical move to bring back the sexy Impala SS nameplate for 2004.

Once again, the car only is offered with black paint. But Chevy hasn't offered a V-8 or rear-drive for its full-size sedans since it dropped the Caprice. The new Impala SS has front-drive and a supercharged 231-cubic-inch, 240-horsepower V-6 that's been used in other General Motors cars. The regular Impala has a nonsupercharged V-6 with 180 and 200 horsepower ratings.

Is the new $27,335 Impala SS thus an imposter? Yes -- and no.

"Chevy has brought back the Impala SS because its name has good residual value and it's a model that adds another layer of interest to potential Impala buyers. The more lines in the water, the more fish you'll catch,'' said auto analyst Ray Windecker of Michigan's American Autodatum.

The new Impala SS looks as sinister as the 1994-96 version and has a lot of good stuff besides comfort and convenience items found in the upscale $24,505, 200-horsepower Impala LS.

Besides the supercharged V-6, standard SS equipment includes a beefed up all-independent suspension and high-performance 55-series tires on big 17-inch "diamond cut'' aluminum wheels. Adding to the sporty look are a rear spoiler and lowered front fascia with integrated fog lamps.

There also are leather front bucket seats, floor shifter, six-gauge cluster with a supercharger boost gauge, faux carbon fiber dashboard trim, bright stainless steel dual exhaust tips and, of course, "SS'' badging. Also standard are anti-lock disc brakes and a traction control system, although a driver-side air bag is optional for $350 and there's no side air bag for the front passenger.

The supercharged V-6 gives the Impala SS strong acceleration, but the engine doesn't have the sexy rumble associated with the old SS V-8s. It sounds gruff during hard acceleration but lets the Impala SS loaf at 2,000 rpm at 70 mph.

The V-6 calls for premium gasoline, and delivers an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 28 on highways. It works with a responsive, heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmission. No manual gearbox is offered, although the rival 245-horsepower Nissan Altima has such a transmission.

The power steering is quick, but feels rather heavy and should provide more road feel for a sporty car. Handling is quite good, although the Impala SS lacks the more balanced feel provided by a rear-drive. The ride is firm, but supple. The strong brakes provide good stopping power.

The Impala SS easily swallows four tall people -- or five in a pinch. It has easily read gauges and large radio and climate controls. The front seats are fairly supportive, but the driver's seat should move back farther for those with long legs.

Cupholders are large, and there are a fair number of storage areas. One nice touch is sunvisor extensions to block bright sunlight not handled by the regular visors.

The trunk is big, but has a high, rather odd-shaped opening that can hinder loading. Folding rear seatbacks and a fairly large pass-through area from the trunk to the rear seat area significantly increases cargo space. The lid has a handy pull-down strap.

If the new Impala SS is a stretch, compared with the thundering old versions, at least it's a good stretch. But, as one car buff put it, "I wish they'd called it something else.

2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS

Price
$27,335

Likes
Fast. nice handling. Reasonably sporty. Roomy. Comfortable.

Dislikes
Heavy power steering. High trunk opening. Driver seat should move back more.