2004 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sdn Auto (natl) Hatchback

Giving Chevy's prosaic four-door more power, better handling, and a snarkier look is a worthy goal. GM already had the 240-horsepower, supercharged 3800 Series II V-6 and sportier suspension pieces handy. Other bits, like the handsome 17-inch alloy wheels, stainless-steel dual exhausts, rear lip spoiler, and a revised front fascia, are new. But then they pulled out a set of "Impala SS" badges--the very same ones worn on the flanks of the beloved, rear-drive, V-8-powered SS of 1994-1996--and stuck them on this V-6 front-driver. Hmm..., , For the record, this new-for-2004 Impala SS more than plays against the old one, LT1 V-8 or no (see chart). Yet it fails to excite. The blown V-6 is stout, but lacks the grunt and rumble that people associate with a "real" Chevy SS (remember SS 350, 396, 427, 454, et al.?). There's no manual transmission offered--a performance accoutrement you can get on a 240-horse Nissan Altima. When you compare the Impala to some of the racier sport compacts in and around this price range, it's clearly outgunned from a performance standpoint, though the SS is a roomy five-seater with a large trunk and relatively high feature content., , Chevrolet's product and marketing types are anxious to make the most of the reborn and fondly revered SS brand. But casually applying it to a platform that doesn't carry the persona and promise of that badge can only dilute its value., , This SS is a more engaging Impala. We just wish they'd have called it something else., , If you love Impala SS give me a call Paul down at Rod's 5113-821-7777 today!