Making its debut as a concept car in 1993, the idea of a 6th generation Impala SS gained such a favorable response from the public that it was officially put into production just a few years later. At first glance the 1996 Impala SS is just a regular old 305 Caprice with an Impala logo. Get it on the road, however, and it becomes clear that this is an entirely different machine.

Driving Impressions:

Unlike the Caprice, acceleration is the Impala SS’s forte. With 260 horsepower on tap from its 5.7 liter LT1 V8 engine, this car can blast from a stop to freeway speeds with the spunk and prowess of many sports cars of this time period. According to some sources, the SS can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in just 6.9 seconds; it feels even faster though. On take-off the SS greets you with a husky exhaust note, giving it a muscular flavor that was so rare for large family sedans during this time period. The Impala SS's V8 coupled to GM’s 4L60 E 4-speed automatic is a superb combination. This automatic transmission shifts wonderfully: whether it is while accelerating from a stoplight or climbing steep terrain.

The Impala handles exactly the way it looks; like a big car. Although the Impala’s suspension was modified to help it keep itself composed on twisty roads, it still leans profusely on even the slightest of bends in the road. The big Z-rated tires do their best keeping grip, though this car’s limits to adhesion become apparent on anything but the straightest of roads. To ensure that this behemoth can stop as good as it can go, GM has outfitted the 1996 SS with large 12” brakes. These brakes do give a little vibration in the steering wheel under heavy use, however.

Interior Accommodation:

I have never been a big fan of GM’s interiors during the 1980's and 1990's. The SS, while not exactly plush, does have its strong points. The leather used for the seats are made of decent quality, the front bucket seats are cozy, and there is more than enough room for a family of 5. The Impala SS is also loaded to the brim with embellishments. Standard on the Impala comes power everything: including power seats, antenna, windows and door locks. Automatic headlamps, AC, cruise control, tilt steering, and a floor mounted shifter were all standard equipment for 1996. The Impala also comes with a 6-speaker premium sound system that is a bit basic when taken into consideration some of the standard sound systems of today, however the stock system should be adequate for most music enthusiasts (aside from the fact, that mine did not have a CD player).

The major gripes I have with the Impala's interior is the cheap plastics that GM has used. The plastics feel more like those found in a Cavalier versus a car costing nearly 30,000 dollars. The center stack's styling also looks extremely dated for the '96 model year. The Impala SS I drove had a stark black interior, which helps hide some of these underpinnings, but this doesn't hide the fact that GM could have improved the Impala's interior a great deal.

Exterior Innovation:

Imagination obviously wasn't on the minds of GM when they created the Impala SS. The exterior looks much like a regular Chevrolet Caprice, but there are some differences if you look hard enough. The Impala comes with different headlights, tail lights, much larger tires, and the Impala SS badge of honor on the rear quarter panels of the car. The Impala SS comes standard with unique alloy rims and dual exhaust. While dual exhaust usually will make a car look more aggressive, the Impala's tail pipes point down instead of straight out: not sexy. Straight dual pipes with chrome tips would have been a nice visual feature.

Pricing:

Aimed at a small group of enthusiasts and only built for three model years, the Impala SS has gained a small cult following. A few cars are going for more than their original sticker prices because of the demand for these cars. Expect a '96 Impala SS to set you back around $15,000-$30,000. New, these cars were around $25,000, so resale has been excellent. I forecast that these cars will go up even further in value as the years pass by.


Final Thoughts:

The Impala SS is a car that requires a specific taste. This car offers great performance, decent gas mileage for such a huge car, and exclusivity rights that most cars can’t compete with. If you are on the market for a used 4-door sedan that offers more space and power than you’ll ever need, I recommend checking out the 1996 Impala SS.

Looking for an equally fast yet much more refined family vehicle? You might want to check out my review on the Accord Coupe.

-Happy Car Shopping

Amount Paid (US$): 25,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1996
Model and Options: Impala SS 4 speed automatic