As I mentioned in my Z06 thread, I just got back from a weekend trip to Nashville. I got about I couple of miles from my house as I came to a stoplight there was a car in the turning lane, that I thought was a Malibu from the rear. As I got closer I knew it was to large to be a Malibu and thats when I noticed the Impala LS badge on the rear. As far as looks I didn't care for the Malibu look-a-like rear. The side profile looked pretty good with some good lines. Sitting at a red light I eased up past the stripe to try and get a look at the front, I could see the large headlight and part of the small slit grille. I thought the front nose are rear end of the car was yawn. There was 2 turning lanes and 2 lanes going straight, I was going straight and as the light turned green a current Impala pulled up into the other turning lane. As they pulled out into the intersection I got a pretty good comparision look at the new vs. the old. The new Impala looks slightly larger and or wider. Though I was never a fan of the large red plasic lens looking rear of the currnet car, I do like it better than the new Malibu look-a-like rear of the '06. I really think they should have went with some circular taillights sort of what the current car has but, updated the look.

My sighting was brief and I will reserve my final judgement on the Impala when I get a good up close look at an SS.

 

Yeah the tail lights blow. Should have keept 4 circular tail lights. But I like the rest of the car.

Looks stunning when parked next to Ford 500!

Dealer has an Impala SS--pretty sharp.

 

I agree. I think Z284ever put it best about the Impala. They had something going with the old model. It actually kinda stood out from the bread and butter pack a little but wasnt over the top bold. Now IMO they've gone backwards into bland. I liked the headlight and taillight setup of the last gen Impala. Now they're both gone

 

4 round tail light gave the old Impala some distinction. You knew it was a Chevy

 

Yeah, a BUTT UGLY chevy. I thought the tailights where hideous.

The new one is much much better (IMO)...

 

I agree. The new rear end, and the car in general is better looking, but less distinctive at the same time. Overall, I like it better. One of the details I like is the headlight design. I know thats kind of stupid, but I like how they flattened the tops off, and gave it a bit of aggression, its not 'sad' looking like the malibu is.

 

have you seen the 06 Malibu? Much better front end styling!

 

Old Malibu. New one is better, yes.

 

I saw one for the first time on the road today on my way to work. I too mistook it for a Malibu from the rear. Then I saw the Impala LS badge, and I just thought it rather plain and boring compared the the cars they just replaced. As I passed the side profile was alright, nothing spectacular. Then I saw the front which was just as boring as the front.
I thought one of the main things the old impala had going for it was its destictive styling. Now it looks like many of the boring imports, which now you are comparing bland to bland, but the imports have a better reputation for being reliable and a better deal, who do you think will win that battle?

One good thing, the SS model will be one heck of a sleeper.