When the Chevrolet Impala was redesigned for 2014 it got our attention in a big way, winning both Cars.com's $38,000 Full-Size Sedan Challenge as well as our Best of 2014 award — so we bought one. Since December 2013, the Cars.com staff accumulated 15,800 miles on the sedan. The Impala proved near bulletproof in terms of reliability with no trips to the dealership for warranty repairs and just two no-charge oil changes as part of Chevrolet's two-year free maintenance plan.
Related: We Bought a 2014 Chevrolet Impala
Well, we also bent two rims to the tune of a $1,300 repair bill after getting up close and personal with Chicago's deepest potholes. And then there were the recalls, of which our car had three: taillight condensation, a poor power steering ground wire connection and a faulty parking brake, all of which were taken care of when the car was in for oil changes or wheel repair.
All in all, it was an eventful year for the large sedan; would we buy it again? Cars.com's editors — the Impala's daily drivers — weighed in:
"Yes, I would choose it again, and I think it did a nice job of living up to our expectations. While not the most exciting car to drive, it performed its purpose well all year. It was roomy and comfortable for both long trips with families and gear and regular everyday driving." — Jennifer Geiger, assistant managing editor
"Yes. I've been impressed by the Impala's overall comfort and refinement whenever I've had the chance to drive it, and these qualities are just as exceptional now as when we selected it as our Best of 2014 winner." — Mike Hanley, senior editor
"Yes. The Impala consistently delivered on its best merits through the year proving it was the premier car in the full-size segment. It was the perfect road-trip sedan and at one point I spent over 24 hours road-tripping the car in less than a week with virtually no fatigue over those long hauls. Bonus point for the excellent Bose stereo ours was equipped with, which is one of the most impressive Bose units I've heard in a long time. I have two reoccurring gripes, one is the lackluster fuel economy that wasn't horrible but could have made those long trips more wallet-friendly if better, and the Impala wasn't the most exciting to drive; I guess that's what the Chevrolet SS is for." — Joe Bruzek, road test editor
"Yes. I was impressed with how tight it felt and how well screwed together it was. It was easily the most comfortable car I'd driven, and I loved it on long road trips. It didn't feel sloppy either. The acceleration was always good both around town and on the highway. I only wish I could have taken it on a really long road trip: Not because I think the car had anything to prove to me, but because I think it would have been an enjoyable trip. When we picked the car, someone said it was a car that showed how good a full-size car could be. I'd agree with that assessment." — William Jackson, assistant managing editor
"I didn't have high expectations of the Impala to begin with; I imagined it was going to be a comfortable large sedan but not much more. In that way I was not disappointed. I can't really think of a more comfortable car at this price for commuting or road trips and it had plenty of power too. I liked the entertainment system, and there was so much room you could pack a family's worth of stuff into the car even with the limitations of a sedan body style. The problem really was the Impala didn't inspire me. It was decent looking enough but not something I'd show off to the neighbors or got excited to walk up to in my driveway each morning. Even the [Jeep] Cherokee we have, while not a great performer, looks great outside as well as in. Oh, and I didn't think the interior was anything special either. It aged poorly and materials below shoulder level along the doors and dash definitely looked cheap as they wore. If I were a big-sedan shopper I'd opt for something with more personality like a Dodge Charger. However, I think big-sedan shoppers would consider something else we experienced with the Impala, or didn't experience. It didn't require one unscheduled trip to the dealer for any problems." — David Thomas, managing editor
Cars.com photo by Evan Sears
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