Chevy Impala - Big American car done right

The best way I can think to put this is that the Impala's got class. Not the easy kind that's tacked on with chrome bits and fake wood trim -- although it's got that, too -- but deep, engineered-in panache. It accelerates smoothly, quietly and smartly while absorbing bumps large and small with grace.

Head into a turn at a good clip, and the Impala carries through with an even keel and a remarkable lack of drama. It's not really a performance sedan but that's not what Chevy's selling here. (That will be the rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet SS, due out later.) This is a big, comfy car and it drives about well as such thing has any right to.

My one complaint here, and it's a surprising one, is that the steering is actually a bit too sensitive on the highway. I'm sure the engineers wanted to avoid the numb, squishy feeling that's plagued big American cars seemingly forever but I fear some Chevrolet buyers might not want their every twitch translated into a directional change.

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