September 6, 2007

Inside Story: 2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ

2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ. Click image to enlarge

Review and photos by Michael Clark

Photo Gallery: 2007 Chevrolet Impala

Is it wise to full-size?

I've always enjoyed a car with substance, even when Impala's wore sheet metal girth that was attached with a few bolts and a prayer. My concern in recent years has been the lack of true utility within these cavernous confines. One such utterance was from an Impala owner, circa 2002. "I can't put anything in it." With the LTZ price point sitting comfortably around 30 large, the family car teeter-totter is dipping towards minivan very quickly. Let's see if the latest innovations are worthy of suburban glee, without a tailgate.

Engine compartment

The LTZ bump provides the 3.9-litre V6, with such environmental niceties as FlexFuel E85 ethanol capability, and Active Fuel Management. Planet, schmanet; let's talk about where those vital syrups go underhood: the fluid fill points are some of the clearest marked to date, with the only possible funnel point foible belonging to the master cylinder. It's set back just a smidge too close to the firewall. One should also pay attention to the location of the engine oil and power steering fill points; they both protrude through the plastic engine cover, so don't assume. Access to common replacement components is good, such as the high-mount alternator location. Headlamp bulb replacement appears to involve the removal of the physical assemblies.

Spare/Trunk/Cargo

2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ. Click image to enlarge

Echo! No, not the Toyota bubble: there is plenty of potential sound bounce in an 18.6 cubic foot trunk space. The trunk is well lined, with an emergency spare and tools stowed in the underfloor well. Roadside Assistance will change that tire for you, for the first five years or 160,000 kms. The cargo net is appreciated, though it could benefit from additional tether points for different cargo conundrums. A handy handwell has been incorporated into the inside of the trunk lid, to assist closure.

The rear folding seatbacks system, included in the LTZ trim level, are the standard by which all other flippy-floppers should be judged. The bottom seat cushions flip forward, revealing grocery bag hooks when in the upright position. They also reveal additional floor-level storage, perfect for valuables. It has the added benefit of catching the Goldfish cracker crumbs from your brood, allowing for easy clean-up. The best part is when you fold the rear seatbacks forward; the headrests don't come along for the ride. This keeps seatbelt wrangling to a minimum. There is a centre flip-down armrest, with dual cupholders. The rear seatbacks possess pockets, though they are best suited to thin sheets of paper, with minimal flexibility for larger items.

A rear console cubby seems a good spot to plug in a cell phone, if there was a 12-volt plug-in. Side door pockets are thin; paperback-sized at best. Another family-savvy nod appears with the removable door pull inserts, which should keep Gummi remnants from staying out till trade-in time.

Interior

2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ. Click image to enlarge

Moving up front, we're greeted by a headlight control knob, blessed with the Auto setting. The trunk release, dimmer, and Traction Control cancel switch are sensibly located in the same real estate. The steering wheel has the tacked-on pods for the cruise control and audio/voice recognition controls. It seems so cheeseball, especially with the Saturn Aura doing it so much better. The power window group has an Auto-Down feature for the driver's window only. Wheel is tilt, with no telescope, and no option for power adjustable pedals. Speaking of pedals, the parking brake assembly engage/release system still seems to be in the way, like the rest of the GM stable using the set-up.

The driver's seat has 8-way power adjustment, with a manual lumbar lever control. Optional leather guts adds an eight-way power seat for the front passenger, as well as two-step heat control for driver and passenger. The HVAC offers manual dual-zone control. It is strange that the rear seat didn't get a 12-volt plug-in; there are three up front. Two are hidden in the cubby below the HVAC, which may actually be too close together for dual accessory use, depending on the charger angles. There is a third plug-in within the centre console. The console box has a removable toolbox-style tray. Both the HVAC cubby and the console box floor have removable liners. Safeniks will appreciate standard side curtain airbags, fore and aft.

2007 Chevrolet Impala LTZ. Click image to enlarge

The glovebox is best used for vehicle literature storage. There is plenty of useful instrumentation available to the driver, in the Driver Information Centre display. It's where you'll find the Active Fuel Management system reading for cylinders in use. However, the size of the display is still an issue. (Heads-up, anyone?) The OnStar system does an admirable job of accessing your commands, with the phone number recognition and voice quality at a notable level. Visors possess backlit vanities, and can slide to help block out the rays.

Clarkey rating

It's the size of the thinking that impresses the most with the LTZ. My only complaints centred around the slightest of fit-and-finish issues. The simulated sterling silver appliques are attractive. However, the trimmings that surround them remind me of the plastic mould leftovers that proliferated in my 1:24th-scale automotive homages from Monogram and Revell. A little more padding would be a plus on the centre console lid. That's about it, and it's good for four and a half stars. It's the car that thinks it's a van.

Next week: 2008 Subaru Impreza

Related articles on CanadianDriver

• Buyer's Guide: 2007 Chevrolet Impala

Michael Clark is a Winnipeg-based freelance automotive writer