Review of a rented 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ
10-13-2011, 02:33 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Review of a rented 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ
I was on vacation for a week on the west coast and rented an almost brand new 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ with roughly 2000 miles on the odometer. This is the top of the line for the Impala. This car was loaded with all options...black leather, CD player, power seats, seat warmers, moon roof, 18" wheels/performance tires, rear trunk spoiler, classy silver color, Bose sound system, ipod connection, hands free blue tooth, and best of all.....300hp and 262 torque! Sample pics below are all courtesy of edmunds.com:
As I walked around the car with the rep...I thought to myself....not a bad looking car. I opened the trunk and started to load my stuff. A full 18 cu. ft. of trunk space swallowed my traveling companions easily: 2 medium size luggage, 1 carry on bag, several random bags. First impression as I got inside the car, in the driver's seat, was wow...this car is nice! The door closed with a solid "thunk" feel. Nice comfy leather, illuminated blue LED gauges and dash lights. As I got familiar with the controls, the dash lay out was simple and easy to use.
Put it in D, pressed on the gas pedal, the car launched forward without any hesitation. Powerful...I thought. As I got on the highway, the car was super quiet; it had a nice solid feel, almost sportiness. As the speed got up to 70mph, the car was still pretty quiet. Or perhaps my ears were still deaf from the 10 hour flight? The tires absorbed most road imperfections pretty good and there were no engine noise. I played around with the stereo, HVAC controls, moon roof, mirrors....every thing worked as it should and within easy reach. The wood dash looked real but probably fake as it had that hollow sound when I knocked on it. I was beginning to think to myself, I might enjoy my time behind the steering wheel of this car!
As the first day went by, I got more and more familiar with the Impala. As a result, more and more imperfections began to surface. To make it easier to read, I'll list it below:
-A ton of wind noise by the A pillars and mirrors above 75mph (yes, my ears were back to normal after a day's rest)
-Super soft suspension (typical of large american sedan)
-Floor the gas pedal from a stop sign, red light or free way ramp, the engine gives off this whinny sound almost like a supercharger. It was cool at first but became annoying afterward several days of driving. After that initial launch, the car was just slow as it would struggle to get up to cruising speed. Cruising on the expressway, step on the gas to pass, it would take a second or more before it responds. And when it did, it was weak. I was beginning to wonder...where is that 300hp? Overall, this car is WEAK on the HP side! My RL feels faster and more powerful! The old cable gives instant response compared to these new drive-by-wire systems.
-Driving at night with all lights illuminated, the round light switch on the upper left hand corner would reflect right into the driver's side mirror. If you look in the mirror, you would see the blue light reflection perfectly and it was very distracting and sometimes glaring. See pic below:
-There was no PRNDL gear switch indication by the shift knob. Thus, sometimes I wonder what gear I'm in....instead there's one in the gauge cluster only. Minor complaint but worth noting as every car I've driven have gear indicator by the side of the shift knob.
-After 3 days of driving around town, my back and ass were aching like crazy. These seats were just plain uncomfortable. The lumbar support didn't do anything to help and the lateral support was non-existent. I just didn't like these seats. My RL have a better seats and support.
-The Bose sound system was probably the worst I've ever listened to from Bose. There was no bass whatsoever, even from my own techno CDs I brought along and very little treble. Midrange was OK. Bose is just a marketing name these days I guess!
-After 500 miles of driving, I started to hear rattles in the gloves box and center arm rest. The car started to feel loose as it would squeak and rattle here and there. I don't blame the interior quality or material as it was on the very cheap side. Mostly plastics and vinyl!
-And the end of my week, I have accumulated about 800 miles of driving. 60% highway; 40% city. My average MPG was around 25, which isn't bad at all. My A/C was on most of the time as well.
Overall, it's not a bad car! But after a week behind the wheel, it left too many rooms for improvement. For a fully loaded LTZ, you're looking at about $32K. I would rather buy a used RL and get better performance, quality, and look. IMO!
As I walked around the car with the rep...I thought to myself....not a bad looking car. I opened the trunk and started to load my stuff. A full 18 cu. ft. of trunk space swallowed my traveling companions easily: 2 medium size luggage, 1 carry on bag, several random bags. First impression as I got inside the car, in the driver's seat, was wow...this car is nice! The door closed with a solid "thunk" feel. Nice comfy leather, illuminated blue LED gauges and dash lights. As I got familiar with the controls, the dash lay out was simple and easy to use.
Put it in D, pressed on the gas pedal, the car launched forward without any hesitation. Powerful...I thought. As I got on the highway, the car was super quiet; it had a nice solid feel, almost sportiness. As the speed got up to 70mph, the car was still pretty quiet. Or perhaps my ears were still deaf from the 10 hour flight? The tires absorbed most road imperfections pretty good and there were no engine noise. I played around with the stereo, HVAC controls, moon roof, mirrors....every thing worked as it should and within easy reach. The wood dash looked real but probably fake as it had that hollow sound when I knocked on it. I was beginning to think to myself, I might enjoy my time behind the steering wheel of this car!
As the first day went by, I got more and more familiar with the Impala. As a result, more and more imperfections began to surface. To make it easier to read, I'll list it below:
-A ton of wind noise by the A pillars and mirrors above 75mph (yes, my ears were back to normal after a day's rest)
-Super soft suspension (typical of large american sedan)
-Floor the gas pedal from a stop sign, red light or free way ramp, the engine gives off this whinny sound almost like a supercharger. It was cool at first but became annoying afterward several days of driving. After that initial launch, the car was just slow as it would struggle to get up to cruising speed. Cruising on the expressway, step on the gas to pass, it would take a second or more before it responds. And when it did, it was weak. I was beginning to wonder...where is that 300hp? Overall, this car is WEAK on the HP side! My RL feels faster and more powerful! The old cable gives instant response compared to these new drive-by-wire systems.
-Driving at night with all lights illuminated, the round light switch on the upper left hand corner would reflect right into the driver's side mirror. If you look in the mirror, you would see the blue light reflection perfectly and it was very distracting and sometimes glaring. See pic below:
-There was no PRNDL gear switch indication by the shift knob. Thus, sometimes I wonder what gear I'm in....instead there's one in the gauge cluster only. Minor complaint but worth noting as every car I've driven have gear indicator by the side of the shift knob.
-After 3 days of driving around town, my back and ass were aching like crazy. These seats were just plain uncomfortable. The lumbar support didn't do anything to help and the lateral support was non-existent. I just didn't like these seats. My RL have a better seats and support.
-The Bose sound system was probably the worst I've ever listened to from Bose. There was no bass whatsoever, even from my own techno CDs I brought along and very little treble. Midrange was OK. Bose is just a marketing name these days I guess!
-After 500 miles of driving, I started to hear rattles in the gloves box and center arm rest. The car started to feel loose as it would squeak and rattle here and there. I don't blame the interior quality or material as it was on the very cheap side. Mostly plastics and vinyl!
-And the end of my week, I have accumulated about 800 miles of driving. 60% highway; 40% city. My average MPG was around 25, which isn't bad at all. My A/C was on most of the time as well.
Overall, it's not a bad car! But after a week behind the wheel, it left too many rooms for improvement. For a fully loaded LTZ, you're looking at about $32K. I would rather buy a used RL and get better performance, quality, and look. IMO!
Last edited by silver3.5; 10-13-2011 at 02:36 PM.
10-13-2011, 03:17 PM
#2
Senior Moderator
1G RL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Impala
2G RL>>>>>>1G RL
Nice review! Thanks for sharing.
2G RL>>>>>>1G RL
Nice review! Thanks for sharing.
10-13-2011, 03:25 PM
#3
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I don't have time to read the article right now, but I gotta say this based on the pictures.
Based on the interior shots, you wouldn't think that it would be wrapped around that exterior. I can't speak to the quality and feel of the interior, but it does look good, they've greatly improved upon previous designs.
Based on the interior shots, you wouldn't think that it would be wrapped around that exterior. I can't speak to the quality and feel of the interior, but it does look good, they've greatly improved upon previous designs.
10-13-2011, 05:06 PM
#4
Race Director
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i had one as rental myself when the dealer was out of loaners.
it was a 2011 LTZ with 800 miles on it and the paint on the trunk was already faded/oxidized
the only good thing about the car was XM and push button start from the fob.
the Malibu is a much better car
and i think the SS has 300 hp, yours may have just had the 3.6
someone correct me if im wrong
it was a 2011 LTZ with 800 miles on it and the paint on the trunk was already faded/oxidized
the only good thing about the car was XM and push button start from the fob.
the Malibu is a much better car
and i think the SS has 300 hp, yours may have just had the 3.6
someone correct me if im wrong
10-13-2011, 05:12 PM
#5
it's a car-drive it
we had a '11 impala with less than 20,000 miles as a rental car while our tsx at the body shop (paid for by the other driver's insurance). It was the most uncomfortable, rattle box that I have driven.
10-13-2011, 05:35 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
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10-13-2011, 05:46 PM
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Interesting. I drove a 2012 LTZ the other week and found it much better than you did. It had plenty of power, the seats were comfortable and it was rather quiet 
And we both have a 1G RL to compare it to
And we both have a 1G RL to compare it to
10-13-2011, 05:47 PM
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10-13-2011, 05:48 PM
#11
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Oh and for 2012 they redid the engines, all Impalas have the 3.6 with 300 hp I believe.
10-13-2011, 05:48 PM
#12
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According to http://www.chevrolet.com/impala-spor...eatures-specs/, the 2012 LTZ is rated at 3.6L, 300Hp at 6500rpm and 262 Tq at 5300rpm. There is no option for the SS model on the site.
the one i drove didnt feel like 300hp, but i didnt bother opening the hood to see what it had.
10-13-2011, 06:56 PM
#14
Most of the cars in our sales fleet are impalas, so i've spent some decent wheel time in them. While the car feels like its quick it's not, transmission ratios are annoying, and the seats are uncomfortable after more than an hour however I find this with the seats in any gm product for some reason.
10-13-2011, 07:08 PM
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10-13-2011, 08:30 PM
#17
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You like them for the same reason most people do...they look good (very simple styling; nothing trendy) and they could get out of their own way...add mods, which is VERY easy, and it's a hit.
And normally I don't quote pictures, but I like these too much not to
And normally I don't quote pictures, but I like these too much not to
10-13-2011, 09:07 PM
#19
10-14-2011, 06:26 AM
#21
Senior Moderator
Great review. I'm still partial to the SS model's LS4, just on principal. (Albeit, I probably should reject the SS's V8/FWD layout on principal as well.)
Sidenote: For whatever reason, the new Impala causes me to recall the 5.5G Maxima....which is not a bad thing.
Sidenote: For whatever reason, the new Impala causes me to recall the 5.5G Maxima....which is not a bad thing.
10-14-2011, 11:51 AM
#23
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I totally agree!
Definitely!
10-14-2011, 11:52 AM
#24
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This is funny because I had an '11 Impala for one night when I was picking up my RL in AL. Just about all of the same thoughts went through my head in the 1.5 hours I was in it. Looks nice inside and out, drives okay, but holy crap are those seats filled with cardboard?!? I may be a little spoiled with Legend seats, but those were terrible. Civic seats are a world better. The noise, smoothness of shifts, and ride quality is no where near luxury sedan. Just further proof that American cars suck ass, even when new. I couldn't imagine the quality of that car at 100k mi.
MTEAZY, I disagree. My drive by wire system has served me very well and I have no complaints, even coming from an analog system.
MTEAZY, I disagree. My drive by wire system has served me very well and I have no complaints, even coming from an analog system.
10-14-2011, 12:23 PM
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10-17-2011, 12:54 AM
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10-17-2011, 04:47 PM
#28
Three Wheelin'
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