National - 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ Ride Report/Review

http://carrentingreviews.com/2012/06/07/2012-chevrolet-impala-ltz/

FCAR
18/30

PROS:

- Updated 3.6L 300 hp V6 provides very good acceleration
- Brake pedal surprisingly firm and responsive
- Trunk space is huge and very usable thanks to optimal shape and flat floor
- Upgraded Bose stereo makes the rental more tolerable

CONS:

- They often populate most rental car agency fleets' full size offerings
- Windshield wipers too short, don’t cover full height of windshield
- No interior cabin lights for front passengers- there are ceiling lights for rear passengers though
- Exceptionally cheap looking interior
- Console shifter lacks gear selection indicators
- Small side mirrors
- Manual lumbar on LTZ trim
- Dated exterior that hasn’t been updated for 7 years
- Seats lack side bolstering, firmness
- Rear passenger legroom surprisingly cramped
- Rear spoiler on LTZ obscures rear vision, offers pretense of sportiness
- Blue colored text in driver’s gauges and radio display
- Plood makes no attempts to mimic actual wood

CONCLUSION: The 2014 Chevy Impala redesign can’t come soon enough.


Finally got stuck with one after successfully avoiding it for several years... At least it was an LTZ trim!

Ah the Impala. The only thing I like about the Impala is the trunk space.

There are actually interior lights for the front cabin. They are located on the underside of the rear view mirror. The buttons are almost impossible to find, and they do not put out much light. They are kind of like reading lights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xOeKcg62aM

The 2013 looks great. Cant wait to try that out.

There are actually interior lights for the front cabin. They are located on the underside of the rear view mirror. The buttons are almost impossible to find, and they do not put out much light. They are kind of like reading lights.

Oh, thanks! I noticed a bunch of buttons under the rear view mirror, but assumed they were OnStar related. Anyway, that's a terrible location. :)

The impala is an excellent choice if you need to transport dead bodies in the trunk. Not that I would know ;-)

The impala is an excellent choice if you need to transport dead bodies in the trunk. Not that I would know ;-)

Does that mean I have to check the trunk when I come to MSP in July? :D

Oh, thanks! I noticed a bunch of buttons under the rear view mirror, but assumed they were OnStar related. Anyway, that's a terrible location. :)

It IS a terrible location. I didnt find it until about my third rental. This is the only car they have lately at LAS for a full size, and I have been stuck with it about a dozen times.

Y'all seem to have forgotten the biggest PRO of driving a rental Impala. However you must get a neutral color such as a black (preferably) but also grey and white with the dual exhaust that the LTZ comes with:

If you hammer down the left lane in it people on the highway cant get out of your way fast enough thinking the police is rolling behind them. ^

Y'all seem to have forgotten the biggest PRO of driving a rental Impala. However you must get a neutral color such as a black (preferably) but also grey and white with the dual exhaust that the LTZ comes with:

If you hammer down the left lane in it people on the highway cant get out of your way fast enough thinking the police is rolling behind them. ^

Also about the only pro of a crown vic.

It IS a terrible location. I didnt find it until about my third rental. This is the only car they have lately at LAS for a full size, and I have been stuck with it about a dozen times.

I feel for you. :p

I noticed a bunch of buttons under the rear view mirror, but assumed they were OnStar related. Anyway, that's a terrible location. :)

My Dad's 1992 Cutlass Ciera has the lights under the mirrors--someone at GM sure liked the location--my guess is someone in the finance department :)

drzoidberg, at least it had a sun-roof. My experience with the Impala was definitely not memorable.

drzoidberg, at least it had a sun-roof. My experience with the Impala was definitely not memorable.

I'm thankful it had a sunroof, leather, and Bose stereo. Definitely could've been worse, but the National rental gods smiled on me.

Got an LTZ last year at JAC when the only other choice was a Versa. The '11 LTZ had the exclusive 3.9L V6 but with only 230hp. It did make the LTZ feel a bit more special than the LS or the LT however.

Agreed that the side mirrors are too small for the size of the car. And the fog lamps are also comically small on a full size sedan. Not sure why Chevy insists on calling the Impala a sports sedan - having a 3.6L V6 is not a good enough reason.

Just ended a one-day rental from you know where.

Car: 2012 Chevrolet Impala LTZ
Exterior Color: Ashern Grey Metallic
Interior Color: Neutral Leather
Options: None
Mileage out: 3360
Mileage In: 3409
Total mileage: 49 miles
Rental Period: 7/9/12-7/10/12
Tags from: Michigan
Rental location: DTW (Detroit Airport)
Located: Emerald Aisle
Other vehicles: Only Impala's or nasty Altima

Pros:
-It got me there
-It really did'nt cost me that much on gas
-I was jealous of 18 inch rims
-Remote start was nice on hot day
-Trunk can fit 4+ walkers
-It got me there
Cons:
-I forgot to grab AARP application from automatic dispenser
-Underpowered
-Thick headrests caused problem backing up
-How many plastic trees were killed for this car?
-Shifter without looking like shifter looked like __________
-That was considered the top level model :eek:

Pros:
-It got me there
-It really did'nt cost me that much on gas
-I was jealous of 18 inch rims
-Remote start was nice on hot day
-Trunk can fit 4+ walkers
-It got me there
Cons:
-I forgot to grab AARP application from automatic dispenser
-Underpowered
-Thick headrests caused problem backing up
-How many plastic trees were killed for this car?
-Shifter without looking like shifter looked like __________
-That was considered the top level model :eek:

That had to be the best review ever. I consider myself fortunate to have never rented one.

It IS a terrible location. I didnt find it until about my third rental. This is the only car they have lately at LAS for a full size, and I have been stuck with it about a dozen times.

When I rented from LAS in February, they had 5 of these in the Emerald Aisle. The nerve.

I ended up with a white one (I wanted the black one but a couple snagged that one before I could get to it). At least it was a loaded LTZ and the XM was working.

Great review. As an Impala OWNER, I have to agree with most of the things you wrote, nothing but the truth.
I hate that the Impala (for now) has an old body style yet upgraded engine and transmission, as the case in the 2012's and 13's. Stat for stat, they can now haul, with a lot of power in the engine but ... I wouldn't buy one (or even rent one, lol) with the 2014's so close.

The trunk is big but it's positioning is not the greatest, making accessibility an issue, especially if you are not tall or cannot reach the back. Other vehicles have done a better job, think Hyundai or the Volkswagen CC comes to mind.

Saw a '14 Impala in the parking lot of my local supermarket this afternoon...the car is visually impressive (appears larger than the Impalas we all know (and despise))...

Saw a '14 Impala in the parking lot of my local supermarket this afternoon...the car is visually impressive (appears larger than the Impalas we all know (and despise))...Don't count on seeing many new design 2014 Impalas in rental fleets, they are continuing the 2013 model as the 2014 Impala Limited for fleets (http://wot.motortrend.com/outgoing-impala-to-continue-as-2014-chevrolet-impala-limited-for-fleets-341361.html#axzz2Ui7nTsN4).

Don't count on seeing many new design 2014 Impalas in rental fleets, they are continuing the 2013 model as the 2014 Impala Limited for fleets (http://wot.motortrend.com/outgoing-impala-to-continue-as-2014-chevrolet-impala-limited-for-fleets-341361.html#axzz2Ui7nTsN4).

Much like when the current generation Malibu came out, rental fleets still got the old generation ones badged as Classic.