Once the "LTZ" square is checked-off on an order sheet, there is very little to add to Chevy's smartly equipped, top-tier V6 Impala. Grand
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| Acquiring similar levels of luxury and power in import rivals from Japan costs somewhat more, but Korea's better priced and more refined new Hyundai Sonata offers a much more significant threat. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
comforts such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote starting and steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls are LTZ-included. A power moonroof is optional, as is an upgraded 6-disc in-dash audio system. Considering the generous content level of the LTZ, its spacious interior and driving pleasure, GM has priced it competitively. Acquiring similar levels of luxury and power in import rivals from Japan costs somewhat more, making this domestic specimen a good-value choice for 4-door practicality, performance and reliability. Coming on strong, though, is a shiny nugget from Korea.
Hyundai's
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| Child seats don't fit well in the Impala, and require a process that, according to a colleague, necessitated the addition of pillows behind two different brands of common child safety seat designs, so that they didn't flop around. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
new Sonata is quite a remarkable sedan. It provides more interior room than the Impala and operates with greater refinement. Whether fully loaded or not, Sonata's pricing eclipses the Impala's sufficiently enough to raise an eyebrow and make prospective GM buyers sit up and take notice. And the Sonata isn't constrained by fixed rear-seat head restraints like the Impala. An auto-journalist colleague advises that such fixed head restraints make it very awkward to properly install child seats in the Impala, a process that necessitated the addition of pillows behind two different brands of common child safety seat designs, so that they didn't flop around; something that no doubt will be of concern to family buyers.
