A handful of us here at GM Authority have had this discussion a few times. Crossovers have become what the sedan segment long was: the defacto choice for buyers in need of transportation and sedans face death unless they reinvent. You didn’t buy a regular sedan 10 or 15 years ago because you wanted it, it’s just what you needed and it made sense. Meanwhile, the crossover wasn’t totally a booming thing yet and SUVs cornered off a market turned away by poor fuel economy and truck-like rides.
Here we are in 2017, going on 2018, and things have changed. A lot.
Crossovers are the big volume sellers and they continuously steal market share away from traditional sedans. So, here’s the thing: if the Chevrolet Impala wants to live another day, General Motors needs to do some reflecting and take a look around. Another completely competent full-size, front-wheel-drive car won’t do these days. Sedans must capture the public in a way like they used to because they’re simply not the go-to choice anymore. And can we blame consumers? Crossovers are easier to get in and out of, they offer car-like fuel economy and cargo space is abundant. The 2018 Buick Regal Sportback is already experimenting with this idea with its hatchback design.
We note the Impala because it’s long in the tooth and sales continue to disappoint from its wonder years. It also has a very uncertain future.
It’s an excellent car, no doubt, and I quite like it. But, it doesn’t offer anything that another sedan doesn’t and lacks the benefits a crossover has. Therefore, it needs to move into the future with a fresh outlook based on its past with a keen eye for the future. And its past recalls a certain classiness in design with a sporting pedigree, thanks to numerous SS variants.
To bolster my opinion, I will point you in the direction of the 2018 Honda Accord and 2018 Toyota Camry. Both cars have long been dull and unenthusiastic as of recent. Neither cars are sport sedans, but both cars’ redesigns highlight the same thing. Each company is well aware their crossover offerings are eating away at the best-selling sedans.
As a counter, both feature more aggressive looks than before and offer more sporting intentions. For the enthusiast, the Accord or Camry will never be a sport sedan, but the thoughtful and sporting touches—with help from the marketing department—will position both cars as an alternative to the crossover for more average buyers. Because cars are inherently associated with performance, not crossovers.
That’s my point. The Impala needs to be an alternative, even to the Malibu, which can stick around with more practicality. The Impala should be expressive, striking and even offer performance a lot of crossovers simply can’t. We’re not going to flail our arms and call for an Omega-based Impala (though, wouldn’t that be something…) but if GM and Chevrolet plan on keeping the Impala around, something has to change.
I’m not even calling for a Chevrolet SS successor, though a more premium Impala with power directed to the rear wheels is certainly a differentiator. How about an Impala wagon of sorts in the Regal TourX’s light? Something. Something has to change.
I’m simply saying the Impala needs some special sauce again to convince buyers it has a purpose. It’s not the most practical choice anymore and selling it based on the fact it offers slightly more space than a Malibu is hardly a winning sales pitch. Why does someone want an Impala? They don’t; the lease deal is just too good to pass up.
Comments
We must look at what the Impala and Caprice were. At one time these were affordable cars that were a better value to a Cadillac. They offered ride and comfort to a market that was RWD, V8 full size driven.
Chevy could move around 500,000 units a year with no issue and made money on everyone.
Today Sedans are a hard sell no matter the brand. These cars are smaller and not much cheaper than a Cadillac anymore once optioned up. They just do not move in the numbers they once moved them in.
While they may sell just over 100K units this year automakers have to look at the other options of that they could take the money invested here and make a CUV that makes more money and sells 250,000 units per year.
There really is no simple answer here. I would love to see the Alpha update be offered in a new Camaro based Impala mode. The truth is there is a danger there as it could steal many Camaro sales and damage their already declining sales.
Time will tell on the Regal but I fear it will be another nice car that the market will ignore.
There is no really simple answer here. The key to retain this car is it needs to be shared with another model. Be it Cadillac or even the Malibu. I am almost to the point thinking a Malibu and Impala need to merge to keep the volume up and the cost down to retain a solid sedan in the segment.
The problem is people like the CUV for utility and sitting up higher. Both of these traits can not be had in a FWD sedan and not make it some odd being.
The truth is a RWD/AWD like the FNR-x based on a larger platform like an Alpha would do a lot for this segment. It would be about Camaro sized carry 5 people with no issue and fold up to haul a load. Call it a Blazer.
I’m sure this dialogue is going on inside the GM corridors. It makes a lot of sense, especially merging the Malibu and Impala to save costs.
One comment: Am I the only one that thinks the Blazer name should be permanently retired? Something fresh and forward thinking in my opinion. I still think of the Blazer/Trailblazer as old, sub-standard GM quality. Move on!
Trail Blazer yes.
But if you look now the original Blazer is seeing a growth in popularity, The prices on the full sized models are starting to go off the chart. People have taken to this old model and with the return of the Bronco name to a weak SUV a good sporty model by this name should do well.
Think of it as a SUV version of a Camaro.
Impala and Malibu will probably be merved; hopefully the Impala name and size will win out.
Chevrolet needs a Charger-like sedan. Charger does good considering it’s age and Dodge branding. Unfortunately, Buick will get a RWD long before Chevrolet. An enlarged Avist sedan would be amazing and provide Buick a sedan to trash Lexus with.
The G8 should have simply replaced Impala when Pontiac died. The SS was too expensive, poorly promoted and looked too vanilla with a Chevy front facada.
the imapala/ Malibu merge would be nice. I think once chevy released the 2016 Malibu with its new design and bigger interior it took sales from the impala. the outgoing Malibu was not good and the impala was a bigger better looking alternative for at least 2 years. the impala is still selling fairly well considering the competition tho.
I saw a brand new Nightfall Gray Malibu Premier with 2.0L Turbo parked outside my credit union. Sharp looking vehicle. I even did a double take when I passed by.
Now, if GM got rid of stop/start and added a V6 engine option, I might consider one. I believe the current Impala does not have Stop/Start.
I prefer my mid and full sized sedans to these boring CUV’s they are cookie cutting out by the thousands each day. Compared to anybody I know with a CUV/SUV that is mid or full sized I am seeing better mileage and performance. My car also rides, handles, brakes and steers better. Many of these CUV’s ride on truck like tires that cost more to replace than my cars and rear tire wear problems and alignment issues are far more frequent. Their vehicles also cost more to purchase and insure than my sedan probably due to the extreme popularity. Sitting up a little higher and some extra utility with the back seats folded down isn’t worth all that to me. And AWD can be had on many sedans these days including the new Regal so that is no longer an issue either.
If Chevy had some sense they would refresh and keep the Impala around at least for the next 3-5 years and improve upon its already winning formula. Offer the newer and more efficient 3.6 tied to the 9 speed transmission. AWD availability is also a must and this car should offer some unique features that CUV’s lack like power pedals and a fold flat passenger seat. These things were offered years ago and GM decided to drop much of it. Any little thing that can set it apart is a good thing.
f Chevy had some sense they would refresh and keep the Impala around at least for the next 3-5 years and improve upon its already winning formula. Offer the newer and more efficient 3.6 tied to the 9 speed transmission. AWD availability is also a must and this car should offer some unique features that CUV’s lack like power pedals and a fold flat passenger seat. These things were offered years ago and GM decided to drop much of it. Any little thing that can set it apart is a good thing
I would add to that spread the wealth and offer more impalas to police fleets. Do like they did in the Mid 90’s and offer a special Police package with up graded Brakes and suspensions along with some type of engine upgrade and offer that same package to the public and call it the Impala SS.
I can’t remember the last time I saw a Chevy Impala ad on tv. Yet, here is one of the absolute best family sized sedans on the market and it languishes in the shadows while GM touts crossovers, Chevy Cruzes and trucks. If you don’t tell people about it, they’re not likely to even consider it. They will think Camry/Accord because that’s where those companies made their bread and butter generation after generation. Neither of them can hold a candle to the Impala. I see all kinds of ads for Caddies, but good old, apple pie, family value Impala gets no attention. I agree, rekindle that spirit that made the Impala one of the premier cars on the market for decades. Let’s get a rwd SS or a Monte Carlo edition, maybe even a wagon and make awd an option,
Impala is in the same segment as the Avalon, the Malibu is in the same segment as the Camry/Accord which offer 4 banger base engines…
That was WAY better than any commercial Chevrolet have in today’s lineup. Just sayin’… The new Traverse commercial makes me want to hurl, with its pretentious “family” moments at the end. I’d buy an Impala first, seeing this compared to what Chevy have done with almost every model since then.
The forgotten vehicle in GM line up of vehicles. No mention in GM ad’s and not in dealers ad’s. The Impala keeps winning awards, but GM doesn’t use them to sell the vehicle. We have a trouble free 2015 Impala LT2 V-6. My first new vehicle was a 1959 Impala and wouldn’t compare to the 2015. The 1959 listed out for about $3,200 and the 2015 $34,000.
The midsize Malibu competes with the Accord or Camry while the Impala competes with the Avalon…The Avalon offers all active safety equipment standard including ACC which is a top trim option on the Impala and the Avalon offers a hybrid option although it’s pretty pricey…How do you fix the Avalon? Keep the MSRP near the same amount, add GM’s cheaper “E-Assist” technology and the 2.0T…Get the MPGs to 30 city and 40 highway and you’re in business…
I think a diesel would do wonders for MPG.
It would however it comes at a great penalty, the diesel “stigma”, the increased cost and slower acceleration…GM wouldn’t make it an exclusive diesel, it would be an option costing thousands…Bottom line, diesel would increase MPGs, it in all likelihood would not increase sales…
Go figure, for MY13-MY14 e-assist was offered (with a 2.5L) and was discontinued due to low sales…Various forums described it as “unbearable”/not very smooth…I have been a passenger in an e-assist Silverado (MY15 maybe?) and while we were hauling/towing anything, it seemed like a normal truck so no idea if they improved the tech or not…However, it’s hard to locate the LOWEST level MSRP…If you’re forced to jump up two trim levels and $10K to get it, that would also contribute to low sales…
I have e assist and I have zero ideas why people don’t like it! It is seemless, works great, and if it wasn’t for the tech gauge then I wouldn’t even know if it shut off!
It saves gas and that tech will keep v8 engines around a lot longer
A large Alfa, RWD hatch/ traditional notch bodystyles for starters, wider but not longer then today’s model (an Omega Buick can go for the larger crowd ). 210 hp 2.5 4 cly to start for fleets an value customers to the Camaro S/C 6.2 v8, manual transmission available on every model . If anything left ill go for a “Monte Carlo ” version for a roomy 2-door .
Fwd SS Impala like I had and loved in 2007, Good in Snow with V8 power, good on gas, 28 mpg Hwy. And it would run with the Charger Hemi’s !
I agree an Omega based Impala would be really appealing. GM is too conservative to try it but we can dream.
There are many sedan owners out there and GM needs to talk to a boatload of them for the next version of the Impala. Design from the bottom up, not top down. While the current Impala is fairly attractive it also estheticly in my humble opinion cautiously leaning on the boring side.
The nice thing about a sedan is the versatility of trim level. You can option an economy trim line, a performance trim line, and/or a luxury trim line. While some of the same things can be said of crossovers and even pick up trucks – again in my humble opinion – they are more believable in a sedan.
Go back to the rwd big engine smooth but sporty Impala and a ss model. I loved the 96 Impala ss. I bought that car and still have it. Switch to rwd and a pumped up v8 and sales would be hugh. Give it a try GM what do you have to lose.
Impala outsells Avalon. It is in the top tier large car sales. Keep it large come out with a new one with all the latest tech and awd. If it sells in the 50 to 70 thousand rate it will still make money.
Do you not see the sales of the Chevy ss? Nobody purchased them at all! Why I don’t know but they had all the things people are asking for.
I think the thing that needs to be done is build a chevy caprice classic on fwd xts platform and a impala ss on the omega platform!
Give the caprice a 4 and v6, and the impala a v6 and v8 versions
The Chevy SS was imported from Australia in small numbers. Why GM couldn’t build the car in North America, and promote the heck out of it is anybody’s guess.
The Impala doesn’t need to do anything – it’s actually an extremely nice and well-liked (by consumers and journalists, alike) vehicle.
What needs to be done is something about the consumers’ perspective that they *need* a CUV. Most of the time, they don’t – a car would be fine – a wagon, even better.
Obviously, offering an Impala wagon would be outstanding, but would sell about…5, because it’s not a lifted wagon that gets worse fuel economy and costs more but *looks* like an SUV.
This obsession with CUVs is part interesting…and part disturbing. I, myself, would much rather have a wagon or hatchback, but I am firmly in the minority there.
I have exhaustively asked many people why they bought an SUV or CUV and the answers I get are comical sometimes. Everything from “it is the in thing” to “I might need to carry 7 -8 people” to “sitting up higher makes me feel safer” and even “my dogs like it better”. I also have noted that the majority of these folks have never carried more than 3-4 people around at a time, also own a sedan or hatch/wagon style car and often complain about how much these costs to own and operate compared to their cars.
You know – if you did a survey, I would bet money that you would find, in general – the larger the vehicle, the fewer the people in it.
It’s amazing how often I see full size SUVs or Trucks with one person in them.
This cuv thing is something I don’t understand either! The other thing that I don’t understand is why people follow trends? What ever is the in thing more and more people flock to them. Like crew cab trucks these were for work trucks for 30 years then all of a sudden it’s the preferred choice of trucks. Or how minivans used to be all rage.
It’s like you can make people do what you want them to do just by telling them that they need to have this product cuz everyone else is buying one.
I wish the industry would just tell the customers you can have a truck, SUV, car or full size van. But instead companies chase the dollar by making anything a customer might want!
Its sad if you ask me, we as a society didn’t need minivans or cuvs two vehicles that could disappear and it wouldn’t bother me one bit!
“This cuv thing is something I don’t understand either!”
It’s a small car that is also roomy and has decent mileage and is affordable.
Explain what part you didn’t get.
The crossover SUV lacks sex appeal. It’s like marrying the fat girl as it’s the sensible, non controversial thing to do.
I like driving in a lower seating position like Regal, Audi 4 coupe, Chrysler 200. I like feeling the road. Nearly every crossover suffers numb steering.
GM needs to wake up. The Camry, Accord, and Altima have the top spots against the Fusion and the Malibu. Toyota moves 340,000 to 360,000 Camary’s annually, while Honda does between 320,000 to 340,000 on the Accord, with Nissan at 240,000 to 275,000 on the Altima. All three are always on car commercials, all three all are quality cars, and all three offer more features standard than GM product. The issue is more than just consumers wanting “CUV” and “SUV”. GM just can’t face up to the reality that they didn’t spend enough on developing true full size cars with 114 to 118 inch wheelbases. Mid size cars need to run at least 110.5 inches in order to have adequate rear leg room. GM blow it badly in middle part of the last decade by closing Olds, losing Pontiac (for no reason – other than an administration that didn’t realize Pontiac could serve as proxy for GM other brands outside the US and keep sales away from foreign automakers). I can tell you had energy prices remained where they were in 2013 then small cars and not CUV’s and SUV’s would be the defacto choice. Part of this craze is a rebuke of high energy prices.
Part of the problem is the lack of commitment new GM has. In the past old GM understood the value of selling cars across all segments -Mary Barra is only interested in the “trend of the day” – this may help margins up front but down the road things could go sour. It was over reliance on SUV’s that caused detroit to get “malled” in 2008/2009. GM needs to bring quality to its product and reduce the price on each trim level to next lowest level – as it needs to win consumers back.
All you need to do is look at Consumer Report the recent one and every word here says it all. We need to be much more competitive like Chevys use to be against the foreign car. It is so sad! The “Bow Tie” was every where, now all you see is that double pretzel! Toyota!
I like our LTZ as much as the XTS and it’s more trouble free. Still have my ’91 Caprice wagon, the last of the real wagons IMO. It’s better than the XT5. If a new Impala wagon came to be, count me in. IMG_5627.jpg
I’ll flail and call for an Omega-based Impala if nobody else does.
Built abroad if necessary to keep in line with Chevy’s philosophy of affordable motoring.
With a V8 and a coupe to bring enthusiasts on board.
Don’t let the Germans be the only ones accommodating niche markets, for the niche is where a brand is truly able to make its mark!
In my opinion the Impala needs to go back on RWD based on the longer Alpha 2. It could be versatile an offer a large panel of models, from the LS to the Premier.
In addition, the Impala could be offered not only in sedan but in coupe, break and a kind of all road break.
Thus, an SS Impala with a V8 just add enthusiasm to the Impala whether in sedan, coupe or break.
Moreover, Chevrolet should make a hybrid Impala.
Finally, and the more important is that Chevrolet mustn’t forget to pay attention on details in refinement and to be in the lead concerning technology and safety.
I owned a Caprice. Loved the weight of ca, its big trunk and ride. Now after seeing the Impala, it gets better ratings than my 2010 CTS! Go Figure!
This IMPALA is very pretty! I may not go back to a new CTS but buy or lease this IMPALA.
Impala,Taurus,Chrysler 300 which ever I get the best price on.As long as they are built here in the USA or Canada.Yes Canada because do you realize how much they spend in the US in the winter months.Let us not piss them off too.
I understand the general view of crossovers, but I’ve just never felt the same way about them. They aren’t real SUVs, they can’t actually go anywhere or do anything. They usually aren’t very attractive, and an increasing number of them don’t have the dimensions to back a higher ride height, and/or more space. And I really don’t like higher rides; they feel unsettling and top heavy. Most crossovers give up more performance for the comparable MPG they have to an average mid-size or full size sedan. The Impala I have now gets 28-30 MPG most of the time, and it also has 300 horsepower; the new Equinox doesn’t even offer a V6, and its most horsey engine (still with 50 less) is estimated at 28, so why bother? It would be one thing if it had any serious utility to it, but it doesn’t, really…
Not to knock on crossovers or people who like them; you have to drive it every day, so you should have something you like. I just… don’t get it…
But regarding the Impala, I think it’s time to let go of the RWD thing. It’s impractical on a serious level, and today’s FWD cars are much improved. I totally get offering a higher performance trim with an optional AWD system, but FWD makes the most sense for regular Impala models. We’re probably better off without V8s and manuals, too. It would be a classicist’s dream, but it probably wouldn’t do much for average sales.
Totally dig the multiple body styles idea, though. Full and mid-size sedans should adopt that like compacts and subcompacts have; I don’t know that I’d like an outright wagon more than a more proportioned hatchback, but other people might, so it would probably be worth it.
But there’s also just going to have to be some acceptance by automakers of the fact that sedans will have to stay around, even if they don’t always sell in the millions. Totally, the SS was an example of a bomb, but even if automakers don’t like it, I think they’d be unpleasantly surprised if they decided to drop all their regular cars. Despite all the usual signs of gaping trend changes, it won’t last forever. And when that swing comes along, we don’t want to be Impala-less. On the bright side, the classic and enduring nature of the nameplate makes it a shoo-in to come back, even if they do stop making it for a while. But then, with it being so well-selling for its class… and its continued, if less noted, fleet popularity… I don’t know that it wouldn’t be one of those that holds out.
What I don’t like is this desire for people to purchase a one size fits all vehicle. A cuv that has multiple uses, the problem with this is people want to cram every possible option on a cuv.
It needs to be a
People mover
Hold cargo
Tow things
Luxury threw out the cuv
Handle like a sports car
400/500 hp
The point I am trying to make is that should at least 4 or 5 different cars that I just described. But people today are to cheap to buy 2 or 3 different types of cars or trucks to cover those needs. They won’t one vehicle to cover every use. Which is bad in my opinion because then those vehicles never become great at one thing they are only good at a few things!
I wish the automotive industry would go back to making specific type cars and trucks.
Sports cars
Family cars
4×4 trucks
Work trucks and vans
So a guy would own a camaro to have fun to drive
A Tahoe to move people around
A 4×4 truck to do work or use to go play in the mud
Instead of one car trying to be all of these at once!
We have been a GM family, for over 80 years….no, I’m not quite that old, but my Grandfather, bought one of the first new Chevrolet 490’s, and went on to own several
GM Automobiles over the years…
Fast forward to the 1950’s, and Chevy’s bread and butter was the Bel Air…It was the Car, for the averageAmerican family, affordable, dependable, economical and nice styling for its
time…Especially when the ‘Hot One’ arrived in 1955, thru 1957…
Then comes 1958, and the Bel Air took a back seat, to the All New Chevrolet Impala line,
that was totally upscale in every way, and offered in every model…from Sedan: to Wagon,
to two door, and four door Hardtop, to Convertible…The Impala was ‘The Chevy to Have in
Your Driveway….It was advertised on almost every TV show, even featured on many shows,
and endorsed by several entertainers of the day, such as Dinah Shore..
The Impala stayed on top, into the 1970’s, thanks to GM building a great car, that the people
loved, at an affordable price…and GM continued to market the Impala, as the Car to own…
This Is What the Impala Needs to be Today…and Needs to Have…
An automobile designed, with the buyer in mind, with choices in engines, trim, and models…
Sedan, Coupe, Station Wagon and an SS Edition…and Advertise, and Promote the Heck Out of It!! The current Impala is a very good looking automobile, that continues to Win Awards, even agai this week, from Consumer Reports and Kelley Blue Book…
But not one TV Advertisement promoting their Award winning, well priced, well built, economical, beautifully finished, all around great road car, with a trunk that will hold the
luggage for a family of five,and a 300 HP V-6, that gives you 28 MPG on the Highway…
It’s not all about CUV’s aka One Size fits All…It’s also about marketing, and educating
the Buyer…GM has a history of building quality product, that please The American buyers,
and the Impala has been a huge part of that History, and could be a big piece of their future!!
Love your comments
I am one of those older guys that does not like radical changes to the Impala.I leased a 2007 for 3 years and owned a 2011.I still like the smooth style of the 2006 to 2016.I know GM of Canada still made the Impala Limited for the rental market.I have owned more then 55 cars in my life and I want to Thank GM of Canada.
I have no problem with my cars built in Canada because if you look back in History the have been a great friend.We forget that the money from the people of Canada that come to visit spend millions in our Country.
If you have a problem with cars and trucks built in Mexico then you have to have the same problem with cars and trucks built in Canada.
You can’t have it both ways!
wonderful car