With the 2006 Impala redesign, it appears that Chevrolet has decoded one ingredient of the Toyota Camry’s successful recipe: inoffensive yet handsome design. The new Impala might be dull, but it looks good, hints at upscale pretension, and will wear well over time. We like, in particular, the wheel design on the SS model. Another thing that gives this Chevy a look of longevity is the mandate to produce tighter gap tolerances between exterior body panels, lending the Impala a higher-quality appearance.

If you remember the previous Impala’s interior, you’ll understand why we say that the 2006 model’s cabin is exceptionally well done with two-tone décor, matching textures, smooth low-gloss Nuance leather seating surfaces, soft-touch door and upper dash materials, a woven mesh headliner, and chrome accenting. Compared to the outgoing Impala, this new car coddles occupants like a Benz. And the double hump design of the dashboard provides a strong tie to Chevys of the past, intended as it is to recall early Corvettes. In fact, aside from a few cryptic control markings that are not immediately discernable, we’ve got no problems with the Impala SS’s interior.

Chevy has done a nice job of making the Impala adept at carrying cargo, too. The trunk is roomy but cheaply outfitted, and features a folding rear seat to expand the space. But the most interesting feature is the innovative flip-and-fold rear seat design that has a storage tray under the cushion that doubles as a place to securely carry grocery bags or other items in the back seat. When the bottom cushion is flipped up, you can even hang those pesky plastic bags on the provided hooks.