2018 Chevrolet Impala

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Chevrolet Impala
Pictured: 2018 Chevrolet Impala Premier front 4.7.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan 2.5l Ls/Lt/Ltz/2.4eco, 4dr Sedan 3.6l Lt/Ltz
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 30 hwy
Length
201.2 in
Curb weight
3,662–3,785 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Chevrolet Impala is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 201 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,662 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5l Ls/Lt/Ltz/2.4eco).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 8% better than the 2018 large car average of 23.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Impala — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Impala →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.6L 6-cyl
Engine–2.5L 4-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

LT (1LT)Premier (2LZ)LS (1LS)

Safety & driver-assist features

Forward collision warningOptional
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Lane departure warningOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Oshawa #1, Ontario · Detroit Hamtramck, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Impala configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.5l Ls/Lt/Ltz/2.4eco201.2 in72.8 in59.1 in111.8 in61.8 / 63 in3,662 lb59/41
4dr Sedan 3.6l Lt/Ltz201.2 in72.8 in59.1 in111.8 in61.8 / 63 in3,785 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impala2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+8%$2,700360
Impala FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22-5%$3,050409
Impala3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22-5%$3,050404
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.1 MPG2018 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★12.1%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2018 Chevrolet Impala 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Chevrolet Impala (this car)25 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★8
2018 Dodge Charger23 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Dodge Challenger23 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Chevrolet Malibu46 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Volkswagen Passat29 MPG★★★★★4
2018 Buick Regal26 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (1)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Aug 30, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V576000 · 210,628 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Chevrolet Impala is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

59Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
40,400 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other16
Electrical System11
Power Train11
Engine7
Service Brakes7
Steering7
Air Bags6
Exterior Lighting3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/04: 121/05: 221/11: 122/02: 122/03: 322/07: 122/08: 123/04: 123/05: 123/06: 123/09: 123/10: 124/04: 124/07: 124/08: 224/10: 124/11: 125/01: 125/02: 125/08: 225/09: 126/02: 126/03: 126/06: 121/0422/0222/0823/0624/0424/1025/0226/02max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Chevrolet Impala buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Power Train — 11 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,400 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Impala. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Impala years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2020 Impala22201.2 in★★★★★015
2019 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★128
2017 Impala25201.2 in★★★★★0117
2016 Impala25201.2 inNot rated0111
2015 Impala25201.2 inNot rated3300
2014 Impala28201.2 inNot rated12570
2013 Impala22200.4 inNot rated1232
2012 Impala22200.4 inNot rated3175
2011 Impala23200.4 inNot rated2252
2010 Impala22200.4 inNot rated4242
2009 Impala23200.4 inNot rated4432
2008 Impala22200.4 inNot rated2278

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →