One day, several hundred years from now, Earthlings will pause in wonder at the discovery that there was once a vehicle called the sedan. They went extinct some time a few decades into the 21st century, overtaken by more utilitarian vehicles that sat higher and propelled themselves by four wheels instead of two. This will have happened in spite of auto makers' efforts to provide safe, efficient and good-looking cars such as the 2018 Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Impala. In fact, these two examples make a compelling case for their continuing existence. We put the big mid-sized Camry up against the trim large-sized Impala to see how well they are fending off extinction.
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
Toyota
- Price: $40,990 as tested
- Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder with hybrid assist
- Transmission/drive: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Horsepower: 208 net-hp (with engine and hybrid synergy system)
- Fuel economy (city/highway litres/100 km): 5.3/5.0
- Alternatives: Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Mazda6, Honda Accord, Kia Optima
The new front-wheel-drive Camry has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with hybrid synergy assist and CVT, and is the first North American vehicle built on Toyota's New Global Architecture platform. It has a standard seven-inch LED screen, Toyota Safety Sense (which includes forward collision alert, lane-departure warning and radar-based adaptive cruise control and automatic high/low headlight switch), Entune App Suite Connect including traffic, weather, Slacker, Yelp, sports, stocks, fuel and NPR One and SiriusXM.
Looks
It might be faint praise to declare this the best-looking Camry, but the hopped-up sporty look takes this once-boring sedan into new territory for Toyota. The low-slung Camry is sleeker looking than the Impala, the front grille on the sport model snarls like Elvis and the optional 18-inch cast-alloy rims are eye grabbing. The hybrid turns the heat back a notch – opting for a more subdued grille treatment – but is still light years beyond its forebears. It has grown to 488 centimetres in overall length, adding a little bulk to its nose.
Interior
The Camry, with a wheelbase that grew by five centimetres, feels roomy for a mid-sized car. The power sunroof limits head room, however, to 95 centimetres.The back seat is respectable, but legroom of 96 centimetres is a couple shy of the Impala's sprawling living room in the back. The eight-way power-seat adjustment also includes lumbar and height adjustment, which eased fatigue on our eight-hour journey through the Rocky Mountains. The seat heaters are also subtle enough that you can leave them on without fearing third-degree burns. The seat padding is just enough to remind you you're not driving a Jetta. Visibility is excellent, aided by a somewhat overly eager lane-departure warning and backup camera, which we hope will soon be standard on all cars. Fit and finish is almost luxury-car level, although the odd Y-shaped dash configuration looks like something out of Star Trek. The big seven-inch screen LED was easy to figure out, and heating, cooling and audio controls were easy to reach and intuitive to operate.
Performance
Most people don't buy hybrids to go fast, but this one proved more than satisfying. When the little 2.5-litre engine and the hybrid motors work together, it puts out a reasonable combined horsepower of 208 – good, but still almost 100 hp less than the 3.5-litre V-6 on performance models. Car and Driver says the hybrid can go from zero to 60 miles an hour in 7.8 seconds – a lot slower than the 5.8 seconds the V-6-powered version was measured at. Lighter than the Impala, the Camry has almost instant throttle response and no trouble accelerating to pass, even though the engine revs at alarmingly high (but apparently optimum) revolutions a minute, thanks to the constant velocity transmission (CVT). It stops even better, as the hybrid's regenerative action amplifies braking power. In fact, it's hard to brake smoothly at low speeds, because the system is so grabby. A stiffer body and refined suspension make this car feel sure-footed on any road and at any (legal) speed. You sure this is a Camry?
Technology
GM was an early adopter of in-car navigation, but Toyota's nav system is actually easier to program and follow than the Impala's (the Camry's soothing voice is even easier to hear). With its forward collision alert, lane-departure warning and radar-based adaptive cruise control and a slightly annoying automatic high/low headlight switch (it's always switching up and down), there's actually no excuse to run into another car – ever. It also has head-up display. The Entune App Suite Connect includes traffic, weather, Slacker, Yelp, sports, stocks, fuel and NPR One and SiriusXM. Ultimately, however, the tech showdown is a tie; the Toyota has superior nav, but GM leads the pack with its incomparable OnStar.
Cargo
This is where "mid-sized" takes its toll. The Camry's trunk actually shrank from 436 litres in the previous model to 427 litres. Unlike many hybrids, the rear seats do fold down, although they are unable to go even with the trunk floor. If you're planning to travel for a weekend away, this car has suitcase space for two; it would be a tight squeeze for a family of four.
Verdict
The new Camry is absolutely killing the mid-size category for sales in Canada. October's volume of 1,517 units is up 72 per cent, year over year, outselling its nearest competitor – the Honda Accord – by a margin of more than two to one. It's easy to see why. The Camry offers appealing looks, driveability, the best of new tech and – of course – a reputation for reliability. Its top-of-the-line price, however, puts it into the league of large cars … which it almost is.
Chevrolet Impala LT
Chevrolet
- Price: $34,295, as tested $44,310
- Engine: 3.6-litre V-6
- Transmission/drive: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
- Fuel economy (city/highway litres/100 km): 12.7/8.5
- Horsepower: 305 hp/264 lb.-ft. of torque
- Alternatives: Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300, Kia Cadenza, Nissan Maxima
The basic Impalas come with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, but the LT has the beefier 3.6-litre V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels. Technology includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in WiFi hotspot with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial, dual-zone automatic climate control and air-cooled wireless device charging. Safety features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Although the two cars' wheelbases are mere millimetres apart, the Impala is 23 centimetres longer over all, at 511 centimetres.
Looks
There is something very American about the forward crouch of the Impala. Like the Camry, the new look is not everyone's cup of tea but is a massive improvement over the breathtakingly boring model it replaces. In a nod to a happier time, when people used to "See the USA in their Chevrolet," as the ad jingle went, the little bumps on the sheet metal over the rear fenders echoes the 1967 Impala. LED accent lights up front are a modern touch, and the blacked-out Midnight Edition trim level nicely tones down that garish gold "bow tie" Chevrolet badge. Although not a beauty-contest champ, it is certainly the best-looking Impala since you were in diapers.
Interior
There's a distinctive organic swooshyeyebrow over the dash that I found appealing and my wife considered just a bit weird. The eight-inch LED screen is easy to read, and other controls and switches are mostly easy to reach. The only confusion (and a false alarm) came from inadvertently tripping the OnStar switches, mounted near the rear-view mirror. The eight-way power seats with lumbar adjustment are ample but a bit soft for my personal preference. At 101 centimetres, the Impala beats the Camry's headroom by six cm. And it's hard to believe that the 101 centimetres of legroom in the back is a few centimetres more than the mid-sized competitor. The rear seat feels massive by comparison. Although finish is good over all, a couple of pieces of trim didn't align perfectly.
Sightlines are good, especially with the lane departure and backup camera tools similar to the Camry.
Performance
Horsepower is not a problem. The venerable 3.6-litre direct injection V-6 cranks out 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic, the car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, according to Road and Track magazine. In real-life traffic, however, the car is not so much fun to drive. It has an annoying hesitation when you punch down the pedal and wait for it to downshift. Though just 110 kg heavier than the Camry, the Impala feels sluggish in both acceleration and braking. The big V-6 also makes it feel a little front heavy. Handling, however, is solid and sure-footed – especially on the 19-inch optional wheels. It's a veritable athlete compared with previous models, but doesn't quite inspire the way the Camry does.
Technology
Premium-trim cars come with so much technology, it's possible to get blasé about it. We shouldn't, because the tech truly improves the driving experience. The Impala includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and a built-in WiFi hotspot – which is a wonderful convenience for passengers catching up on work. Like the Camry, it has dual-zone automatic climate control, but – one better – it has air-cooled wireless device charging. Yeah, that's right. It keeps your phone cool while it gets powered up. Safety features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
Cargo
There's more booty in this boot. The Impala has 532 litres of cargo space in the trunk, although the opening is a little shallow. The 60/40-split back seats fold down, allowing lots of room for oversized objects. The numbers alone don't tell the whole story; the space is just more useful.
Verdict
Although officially in two different size categories, the Camry and Impala are much closer in real life. Both feature great safety and convenience technology, both are good looking in their own ways and both are comfortable for long highway drives. The responsiveness, agility and rock-solid reputation of the Camry gives it an edge.
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