It's no secret that American sedan production is a mere shadow of what it once was. There really aren't many left, save for a few stragglers like the Cadillac CT4 and CT5, along with the newly resurrected Dodge Charger. However, turn back the clock 15 years or so, and virtually all American automakers were still churning out four-door models as normal. Going back even further to the past, and the vast majority of cars on US roadways were sedans.One of the most prominent sedans to ever grace the pavement was the Chevrolet Impala. It served as one of Chevy's full-size sedans for decades, and was also one of the most popular examples in the US market. While it endured a couple of hiatuses over its 60-odd-year career, the Impala always managed to come back with some strength. However, come 2020, the Impala was canned for the final time. The loss was symbolic in nature, as it marked the end of the last full-size Chevy sedan. Oodles Of Clout ChevroletA little over 60 years before the Impala's final swansong, the namesake was introduced and it wasn't a standalone model at first. Rather, it was a top-spec trim package available on the Chevrolet Bel Air, meant to commemorate GM's 50th anniversary. The Bel Air Impala was slightly different in design than the rest of the '58 Chevy lineup, with things like its roofline, rear section, and longer wheelbase differentiating it from the standard Bel Air.One year later, the Impala joined Chevy's lineup as a standalone model. The '59 is one of the most popular Impala model years ever produced thanks to its quintessentially 50's design, especially when it comes to its "Batwing" rear fins. Come 1961 – during the second-gen Impala's debut year – the Super Sport (SS) performance grade was introduced, boasting either a 348 CID V8 or an extremely rare 409 CID V8, of which only 142 examples are thought to have been produced.Hemmings The Impala sat near the outskirts of the classic muscle car era, which began around 1964. The SS model was axed from production in 1969, as it was overshadowed in popularity by models like the Chevy Chevelle SS and the Nova SS. Once the classic muscle era was officially dead, the Impala, like many other American cars, had transitioned to a more luxury oriented market. Through 1971, the Impala was Chevy's bestselling model in the US.Chevrolet Following the classic muscle car era, the Impala went on to become a more luxury-oriented model. It was discontinued in 1985, following a downsizing some eight years prior, only to be brought back from the dead in 1991 as a full-size, B-Body variant. It was then discontinued again in 1996, and brought back in 2000 for its eighth generation. From there, the Impala entered its ninth-gen in 2006, wherein the "SS" model was brought back for the final time. 2014 marked the introduction of the 10th and final generation, which finally got the permanent axe in 2020.However, while it's dead and gone, the final 2020 Impala still has quite a few positives to look at if you're interested in buying used. Here's What The 2020 Impala Has To Offer ChevroletThe 10th-gen was the largest Impala iteration for some time, as the previous generation was classified as a mid-size sedan. In total, it came with a choice between just two trim levels, having been whittled down from five. The two remaining grades were the LT and Premier. In addition to losing most of its trims, Chevy also decided to cut a few optional extras from the Impala's offering list across both the LT and Premier grades. Because of this, it's easy to deduce that Chevy was ready to part with the Impala. The LT Trim The LT grade wasn't always considered the base model. In typical Chevy fashion, the LT usually constitutes the mid-range spec, as was the case with previous model-year 10th-gen Impalas. However, once the base LS grade was cut, the LT was left to pick up the scraps.Inside the 2020 Impala LT was very middle-of-the-road. Its seats were trimmed in cloth. The driver was treated to an eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger had to fiddle with their seats manually, and the steering wheel was wrapped in real leather. Dual-zone climate control came standard, along with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A pair of rear-mounted HVAC vents helped to keep back-seat passengers cool or warm, and a six-speaker audio system was hooked right into the Chevy MyLink-capable infotainment system. It also sported remote engine start.Chevrolet A single optional package was available for the LT's interior, that being the LT Convenience Package. With it, buyers were afforded the use of things like a household-style, 120-volt power outlet. It also included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. If you fancied it, you could go for a power-sliding moonroof as an option, along with a small trunk spoiler.As for safety, Chevrolet offered the Impala with a total of 10 airbags, but few standard driver assistance features. However, the LT grade did offer something called the Driver Confidence package, which included things like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a lane-keeping assist feature. On the outside, the '20 Impala LT comes equipped with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, along with a pair of heated side mirrors. Its headlights are of the HID flavor, and a single shark fin antenna sits on its roof. The Premier Trim The second of two trim choices – the Premier – significantly upped the luxury ante. On top of all the features listed above, Premier-spec models boasted standard leather seats with front-row heating. The passenger seat also gained its own power adjustment. In addition, you also received ambient interior lighting, along with wireless device charging and an upgraded Bose sound system, taking advantage of 11 speakers, as opposed to six. A larger smattering of chrome on its exterior, along with a set of 19-inch alloys set it apart visually from the LT. A set of 20-inch wheels were also offered.Chevrolet A couple of option packages existed for the 2020 Impala Premier, the first of which was the Premier Convenience package. As part of the upgrade, the '20 Impala's cabin was outfitted with a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming wing mirrors, and a driver's seat memory function. You could also spring for the Premier Confidence package, which included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. Under The Hood Wikimedia Commons: Michael SheehanWhile a four-banger and a hybrid were also available as powertrain options for the 10th-gen Impala, by 2020, Chevy only offered a single, 3.6-liter V6. The mill itself belonged to GM's High Feature engine family, and was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was the sole drivetrain option, and it made use of a fully independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts up front, and a multi-link configuration around back. Cost To Own ChevroletOne of the most important things to consider when it comes to buying a used car – apart from how much the car itself costs – is how much it'll cost to own.According to RepairPal.com, the 2020 Impala sports an average annual maintenance cost of about $568 per year, $32 lower than average. In addition, it places fifth out of 12th regarding reliability for mass-market, full-size sedans ranked by the site. As for complaints, the most common issue faced by the '20 Impala is improper electric power steering operation, wherein the electronic assist may stop working, forcing the car to revert to non-power-assisted steering until repaired. How Much You'll Pay For One ChevroletWhen it was new, a 2020 Chevrolet Impala LT carried an MSRP of $31,620 before any destination fees or taxes, and the high-end Premier grade fetched $36,720. These days, that price has roughly been halved. According to our most current pricing trends, an LT-spec 2020 Impala will run you roughly $15,299, and a Premier will be about $17,356.Let's take a look at a few examples for sale right now: A Premier model selling for $13,896 in Illinois with 150,681 miles An LT model selling for $14,999 in Ohio with 129,206 miles An LT model selling for $14,950 in Nebraska with 75,000 miles A Premier model selling for $13,495 in Illinois with 112,314 miles Prices seem to vary, but you should be safe with about $15k–$18k in the bank to cover the cost of the car, along with taxes and registration fees. Is It A Good Buy? ChevroletLet's break it down. It does boast a fair bit of reliability, and it's one of the final full-size sedans produced in the United States, upping its cool factor slightly. While its looks may leave some to be desired, its two-grade offering list carries just enough to keep its owners entertained and comfortable. It also scored well with the IIHS, managing a five-star overall safety rating. However, JD Power does rate its driving experience at just 69 out of 100, meaning its ride quality and handling is known to be at or below average.Personally, I'd err on the side of "yes," you should buy one. But if you're after a good driving experience with your full-size sedan, it would probably be best to look elsewhere.
