2014 Chevrolet Impala starts at $27,535 with added technology

The Chevy Impala has been the best-selling full-size sedan in the U.S. last year and gets improvements that should keep sales strong for Chevrolet’s flagship model. Pricing has been announced on the new 2014 Impala and it will have a starting MSRP of $27,535 which includes destination. The new price on the tenth generation Impala is $850 more than the 2013 base model Impala. The new-generation model that made its debut at the New York Auto Show will feature new exterior styling, a more upscale cabin and new safety technology. But will these improvements be enough to move the Impala to the next level?

More fleet than retail sales

GM says they sold 171,000 Impala’s last year making it one of the 10 best-selling cars in the U.S. But two-thirds of those sales came as a result of fleet sales and only one-third were retail sales here in North America. Chevrolet is trying to change the image of the Impala with the all-new 2014 model from one of taxi cab or a police cruiser to an upscale sedan. Jon Hahn, marketing manager for the Impala and Malibu, said in October that “Chevy aims to flip those percentages with the new Impala.”

Sales of the 2013 Impala are slightly down with U.S. Impala sales of 148,547 through October this year down 1 percent from the same time period in 2011. Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing said, “We’ll build on the success the Impala nameplate has generated over its history. We’ve added sophisticated design features, more technology and safety equipment, while conserving Impala’s current strengths like spaciousness and comfort.”

New Technology for the 2014 Impala

The new tenth-generation Impala will feature new technology that should help move the flagship sedan to be more upscale than the previous generation model. It will be updated with Chevrolet’s latest MyLink radio. The in-vehicle entertainment system adds a new customizable eight-inch color display screen. The system also adopts a first-ever for Chevrolet natural voice recognition.

The all-new 2014 Impala will also feature new technologies including Adaptive Cruise Control and new safety systems like Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert. The 2014 model comes with ten standard airbags which is among the most in the segment.

A newly designed four-cylinder engine

The new Impala will feature a newly designed Ecotec 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant. It is estimated to have 195 horsepower and was developed to have improved fuel efficiency and will feature direct-injection. The 2.5-liter engine is priced as follows: $27,535 for the LS; $29,785 for the LT; $34,555 for the LTZ.

Two other direct-injection engines will also be available: a 3.6-liter V-6, and a 2.4L four-cylinder with fuel-saving eAssist technology that is estimated to deliver 35 mpg. The 3.6-liter will produce 305-horsepower and will come to market first, with a starting price of $30,760 for the LT and $36,580 for the LTZ, including destination charges. Pricing for the 2.4L engine with eAssist will be announced later. All engines will come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

A MacPherson-strut front suspension and four-link rear suspension underpin the new 2014 Impala with an isolated front cradle and hydraulic ride bushing that help deliver a smoother, quieter ride. All models feature an electric variable-assist steering system that helps save fuel by drawing energy only when the steering wheel is turned.

The new Impala will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. Look for the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala to arrive in showrooms next spring. We’ll see if the new tenth-generation Chevrolet flagship sedan can shed its old image with it’s newly updated exterior and interior enhancements.