Chevrolet Impala vs Ford Taurus
Need to haul around the family, but don’t want to be caught in a minivan? Tired of feeling like the smallest car on the road? A full-size sedan may be for you. Impala and Taurus have long been top competitors in the full-size sedan market. Chevrolet recently released the 2016 Impala, but we are still waiting on the release of the 2016 Taurus. Today, Carsforsale.com is comparing specs, design, features, performance, and safety of the Chevrolet Impala vs Ford Taurus to help you decide which car will best fit your needs.
Chevrolet Impala Overview (base)
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 196
Fuel Economy: 22 City / 31 Hwy
MSRP: From $27,095
2016 Chevrolet Impala Review
Design:
Recently released, the 2016 Chevrolet Impala is an elegant-looking full size sedan. The front features a large Chevy logo inside a grille that somewhat resembles a Cadillac sedan grille. The side has aggressive, crisp lines that set this sedan apart from the competition. The rear design is more reserved, which nicely contrasts the intense front and side design cues.
©General Motors
Inside, the Chevrolet Impala is dramatic and complex, as there are a multitude of lines and finishes. Buttons and gauges are easy to understand and operate. Interior materials are mostly high quality, but will vary between trims.
©General Motors
The 2016 Impala has plenty of room for 4 adults. Legroom is ample, but headroom may not be enough for tall adults in the back seats. The trunk extends very deeply into the vehicle, providing plenty of storage space.
Performance:
The base 4-cylinder engine performs well in city driving situations, but can leave some to be desired when passing at highway speeds. The optional 3.6L V6 engine achieves 306 hp adding a nice power increase. Handling of the Impala is impressive, and interior noise is minimal thanks to GM’s active noise cancellation technology.
Fuel economy in the 2016 Chevrolet Impala is around average for a full size sedan, achieving 22 city and 31 highway mpg in the base engine. The V6 achieves 19 city and 29 highway mpg.
Safety:
The NHTSA gives the Chevrolet Impala a 5-star overall crash test rating. A suite of safety features is available, such as lane departure warnings, rearview camera, blind spot monitors, rear parking sensors, forward collision warnings, automatic braking, and more.
Features:
The base Impala has only the basic, expected features. Upgraded features include leather and ventilated seats, active phone cooling, wireless phone charger, pushbutton start, sunroof, navigation, Chevrolet MyLink with Apple CarPlay functionality, adaptive cruise control, remote start, and more.
Ford Taurus Overview (base)
Engine: 3.5L V6
Horsepower: 288
Fuel Economy: 19 City / 29 Hwy
MSRP: From $27,055
2015 Ford Taurus Review
Design:
The 2015 Ford Taurus has looked familiar on the outside since 2010. This is a blocky, full-size sedan that has a distinct presence of symmetry. To keep the Taurus relevant, Ford refreshed the front grille, added LED outlined tail lamps, and a new wheel design. The rear has a block tail lights and a distinctive horizontal chrome strip centered by a small Ford logo.
The inside of the Taurus feels upscale for the price, even in base models. The design is simple and symmetrical, yet modern. Finish and materials are very high quality. The interior design cues reflect and complement the exterior design.
Comfort in the Taurus is good, with plenty of leg room for 4 adults. The rear seat may not have enough head room for tall adults. Storage space is great, as the 2015 Ford Taurus has one of the most spacious trunks in its class.
Performance:
A 3.5L V6 comes standard in the Ford Taurus, and will have plenty of power and acceleration for most drivers. A more efficient 2.0L turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder is available for improved gas mileage. The top performing turbocharged direct injection 3.5L V6 achieves 365 hp and provides a significant increase in power. Overall the Taurus will drive well in any trim, but the handling can feel a bit heavy at times.
Overall, the Ford Taurus achieves average full-size sedan economy. Base engines achieve 19 city and 29 highway mpg. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine achieves a more impressive 22 city and 32 highway mpg. The powerful turbocharged V6 achieves 17 city and 26 highway mpg. Optional AWD will decrease efficiency by around 2 mpg.
Safety:
The NHTSA gave the 2015 Ford Taurus a 5-star overall crash test rating. Visibility is somewhat difficult in this sedan due to the blocky design. Despite this, a rearview camera comes standard and will assist with poor visibility. Other safety features includes curve control, a post-crash alert system, collision warnings, pre collision braking, Ford MyKey, blind spot warnings, cross-traffic alerts, and more.
Features:
Every Ford Taurus will come with the expected basic features and a few perks, such as 6-speaker sound system and power driver’s seat. Optional features include active park assist, adaptive cruise control, Ford SYNC, push-button start, memory seating, performance enhancements, keyless ignition, leather upholstery, sunroof, power rear sunshade, automatic climate control, paddle shifters, and more.
Ford SYNC 3
Chevrolet Impala vs Ford Taurus Winner:
Base model: 2015 Ford Taurus
Thanks to standard perks such as a backup camera, huge trunk, and beautiful interior, the base 2015 Ford Taurus provides better value at the very lowest trim.
Upgrades: 2016 Chevrolet Impala
Superior infotainment, an incredible V6, and a fresh, beautiful exterior design push the fully loaded 2016 Chevrolet Impala ahead of the competition.
Overall Winner: 2016 Chevrolet Impala
When comparing the Chevrolet Impala vs Ford Taurus, the Impala takes the crown by providing a beautiful exterior design, quiet cabin, superior handling, and competitive pricing. With the 2016 Taurus coming soon, we are eager to see the improvements Ford makes to stay competitive in the large sedan market.
©General Motors
