Toyota Avalon vs. Chevrolet Impala

The Toyota Avalon has been a thorn in the side of large American sedans since 1995 when it first came out. The automaker recently came out with a new fifth-generation Avalon for the 2019 model year, showcasing a more youthful and sportier side of the flagship model. The sedan's interior has also been revised, coming off as more luxurious than ever, which is accented by an even more spacious cabin.

The Chevrolet Impala has been around for approximately six decades and is currently in its 10th generation with the most recent overhaul coming in 2014. All these years later, the Impala continues to offer buyers with a comfortable ride and good value for a segment that's not necessarily known for being a place where consumers get the most bang for their buck.

Can the new Avalon shine through the time-hardened Impala?

See a side-by-side comparison of the Avalon & Impala »

What the Avalon Gets Right

Unlike the Impala, which has a conservative design, the Avalon's exterior features sharp edges and a more athletic look. The Avalon doesn't just have a more youthful design, but also has a more powerful engine. The entire Avalon lineup features a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Impala comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as standard that's rated to make 197 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque.

Despite having a more powerful engine as standard, the Avalon is the full-size sedan that has better fuel economy. The Avalon is rated by the EPA to get up to 22 miles per gallon city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 combined, which is three better than the Impala's number on the highway and one mpg better in the combined rating.

Interior space is also one of the Avalon's strong suits. The sedan has more rear head room, front and rear hip room, rear leg room, and front and rear shoulder room than the Impala.

What the Impala Gets Right

The most obvious upside for the Impala is the vehicle's lower price tag. Pricing for the 2019 Impala starts at $28,895, while the 2019 Avalon starts at $36,420 (both prices include destination). That's a large difference of $7,525 that can be put toward getting into a higher trim level on the Impala. Even if you move up to the Impala LT trim with the V6 engine, the sedan costs $3,930 less than the entry-level Avalon.

While the Avalon has the more powerful base engine, it's the Impala that has the more powerful available motor. The Impala's available V6 engine produces 305 hp, which is four more than the Avalon's sole V6 option.

Which One is the Better All-Rounder?

The Impala was last updated in 2014 and is starting to feel old compared to competitors in the large sedan segment. Compared with other vehicles in the segment, the Impala's age is starting to show. The fact that the Avalon is all-new for 2019 doesn't help the situation, as the vehicle is better than ever with more athleticism and luxury.

Our Verdict: Toyota Avalon

The new Toyota Avalon is more enjoyable to drive, comfortable, feature-friendly, and efficient than the Chevy Impala. It's also the better-looking choice. For consumers wanting to save money on fuel, the Avalon is also available in a hybrid variant, which isn't an option for the Impala.

Take a closer look at the Toyota Avalon »

Take a closer look at the Chevrolet Impala »

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