One rule of automotive design is that a low keyed body with stylish wheels make the whole car look great.

The rims on the Impala do it no favors, and infact make the car look far worse (more bland) than it probally is.

The new Impala is a car that's SCREAMING for 5 spoke rims!

 

*counts spokes on the Impala SS wheels*

I only see 5 spokes...

 

I think the Impala looks better, but neither one is even close to being "sporty", and don't park it at the airport. You'll never find it again.

 

I wonder how the Impala SS would look if someone PS's the TB SS's wheels on to it?

 

The Impala looks like it was designed in the mid 1990's-very bland and boring as hell..

The Avalon looks like a barge..Neither cars are all that great exterior wise.. The Avalon's interior looks much bettter though than the Impy. Not seen the Impy in person though.

 

Impala SS hands down. The nose/grill is much more streamlined.

 

Maybe better in white.

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...howtopic=14224

 

Dang that's a good looking car!

The front has a definite refined, dare I say, "Japanese" feel to it.

 

I was staring for a few seconds trying to see if this is the new Passat or not. Wow, that rear end is similar to Passat's!

Even the side, B and C pillars, the rear door.

 

One more thing, the problem with current and next gen Avalon is that the wheels look tiny by proportion to the rest of the car. It is a large sedan, and the wheels look like they're taken off a Civic, some 15". That bugged me about every avalon.

I also dont like how the body of the car is much wider than the wheels - it's like a train cart sitting on narrow rails.

 

Toyota is not a name I associate with sporty anymore. I do not equate FWD commuter box Toyata Camrys (which I see everywhere) gussied up with valence and rocker panel extensions and alloy wheels to be even slightly sporty. When you take off these pieces, you can easily see the 4x4 ride height! It seems Toyota have been doing everything they can in the last few years to distance themselves from sporty & performance. The Celica which is now done was at least somewhat small and nippy. Now they seem to be all about boring, appliance like transportation. Not a single car in their line up is in the least bit exciting. This Avalon is no different.

Not knocking their strategy, just their dull cars, since Lexus is now obviously Toyota's sport & performance brand.

 

That white Impala looks better than the Avalon IMO. That first Impala pick really doesnt look that good. Amazing what a color change can do! The Avalon's front end is just too big and busy to me. The rear isnt bad though and I like the fact that it has some lines to it rather than the Imp's plain jane rear end.

Personally, I'd say heck with both of them and buy a Charger if I needed a sedan...

 

Its like predicting a snail race.

 

If you're buying new, buy the Avalon. Whatever you do, never plan on buying any Toyota used - you'll pay through the nose for what you get.

If you plan on shopping for a used car in about 12-18 months, look for a Impala. Let the first owner (Enterprise? Alamo?) worry about the initial depreciation.

 

Thanks. I'll remember that when I go shopping for a Chrysler 300 down the road.