Don Ameche

Review: 2012 Chevrolet Impala

Tracing its roots to the year 2000, the Chevrolet Impala's expiration date is way past due, but the four-door remains one of GM's top sellers and a cash cow for the automaker, thanks in no small part to its popularity among the nation's many fleet operators.

From the federal government to your local parks and recreation department, the big bland sedan is a no-brainer for many bottom-liners. But they're not the ones who have to drive it every day.Propelled over the years by a parade of unmemorable powertrains, most recently a pair of lumpy old V6s connected to four-speed transmissions that made the rest of the car appear to be from the distant future, the Impala has represented basic, full-size transportation at its most mediocre. But this year, that all changes.Well, not exactly all of it.For 2012, the $26,585 Impala has been visited by GM's engine fairy and endowed with the automaker's very modern and increasingly ubiquitous 3.6-liter directed injected V6. It's essentially the same mot...

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