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Many customers in the used car market are hard-pressed to find a good deal on a sedan. The wait is over, as the 2016 Chevrolet Impala is one of the best choices they can make for many reasons. Firstly, it’s a five-year-old car and has taken the brunt of depreciation. Secondly, it costs less than $10,000, and finally, it has a ton of power. They’re also everywhere- you can find multiple 2016 Chevrolet Impalas on online classifieds with a wide range of mileage across every trim. Here are a few more reasons it’s a great bargain.

2016 Chevrolet Impalas have a surprising amount of power

2016 Chevrolet Impala midnight edition
2016 Chevrolet Impala midnight edition | Chevrolet

We said it makes a ton of power, but how much? Base 2016 Chevrolet Impalas made a measly 196 horsepower, hardly enough to move 3,662 pounds. That horsepower figure came from the 2.5-liter Ecotec inline-four, but that wasn’t the only engine the Impala came with. Impalas with the LTZ and 2LT trims came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine. It was all aluminum with dual overhead camshafts and 11.5:1 compression, making 305 horsepower. If you find a 2016 Impala V6 to buy, you may want to check the VIN for which engine it came with, as there were two V6 engines, and one had 260 horsepower. All Impala engines mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Chevrolet Impala Drivability: more surprises in store

2016 Chevrolet Impala driving in Korea
2016 Chevrolet Impala driving in Korea | Chevrolet

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala is not a small car. Although it’s a mid-size sedan, the Impala makes its presence known, but somehow that doesn’t translate into drivability. While it exhibits aggressive body roll, the Impala has quick responses to steering inputs, and the suspension preserves ride comfort. It shows minimal understeer, despite all the power going to the front end, and impressive stopping power, according to MotorTrend. Chevrolet didn’t offer performance upgrades for the Impala, but it doesn’t sound like those were really needed.

Safety is there if you get the Chevrolet Impala LTZ

2016 Chevrolet Impala on the roof of a parking garage
2016 Chevrolet Impala on the roof of a parking garage | Chevrolet

The LTZ trim got every single safety and security feature. That included the driver confidence package, OnStar in-vehicle communications and assistance service, and Stabilitrak. The LS and 1LT couldn’t have the driver confidence package, which was optional on the 2LT. If you’re a stickler for modern safety features, you’ll want the 2LT or the LTZ. The Driver confidence package has forward collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and side blind zone alert with lane change alert. 

Interior: spacious and pampered

2016 Chevrolet Impala parked outside
2016 Chevrolet Impala parked outside | Chevrolet

Chevrolet offered a laundry list of interior features for the 2016 Impala. The adaptive cruise control, however, was only offered on the LTZ. It adjusted speed automatically and maintained a pre-set following distance. Also only on the LTZ was the enhanced convenience package, which provided auto-dimming mirrors, heated seats and steering wheel, 2-position memory, and interior auto-dimming. Every trim got the Driver Information Center, which displayed oil life, tire pressure, fuel consumption and range, and average speed. 

The 2016 Chevrolet Impala offers a lot for the money, as long as you get the 305-hp V6. The base model simply doesn’t provide enough passing power to be an adequate commuter. The Impala LTZ has a comfortable interior, plenty of power, all the safety features in the world, and is affordable. Definitely a bargain sedan.

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