Chevy Impala vs. Ford Taurus Comparison
Chevy Impala vs. Ford Taurus Comparison
There’s nothing like the spacious cabin and luxuriously smooth ride of a full-size sedan for your daily Phoenix commute or a road trip to Sedona. If you’re in the market for a car, the latest high-tech features, reliability and a wallet-friendly price tag are probably at the top of your list. The Chevy Impala and Ford Taurus are among the top-selling models for a reason: they’re packed with features and don’t break the bank.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity Comparison
With a long wheelbase, both full-size sedans feature a spacious interior that gives passengers in the backseat extra legroom and space to seat three adults comfortably. The Impala pulls ahead here with more headroom and legroom for the front passenger for a total of 105 cubic inches versus the Taurus’ 102.2 in3. The cargo capacity is similar, approximately 19 cubic feet.
Engine and Power Comparison
Although engine capacity is comparable, when it comes to Impala vs. Taurus, the Taurus has more power. With 365 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, it gets you off the line fast, and you can power up steep the mountain inclines North and East of Mesa, without losing speed. The Impala’s standard V6, 305 horsepower with 356 lb-ft of torque, is an upgrade from the previous model year’s 2.5L EcoTec engine. However, if if you spend most of your time in commuter traffic, this difference may not matter much.
Fuel Economy and Range Comparison
Coming in at 19 mpg city and 28 mpg on the highway, the Impala’s performance is slightly more efficient than the Taurus’ 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, making it ideal for I-17 road trips from Peoria. The cost-benefit really shows when you realize that the Ford SHO requires premium gasoline to achieve that level of fuel efficiency, whereas the Impala uses regular unleaded. At a savings of 20 to 55 cents per gallon, the Impala could save you hundreds of dollars over the vehicle's life.
Handling and Stability Comparison
The front to rear weight distribution on the Impala is 59.5% to 40.5%, making it closer to even when compared with the Taurus' 60.7% to 39.3%. This can make a noticeable difference when it comes to performance. When braking, the weight shifts to the back of the car. The closer to even the distribution, the more evenly the tires grip the road on the way out of the curve. It also means that you can brake later and still maintain control.
The Impala gives you more stability and control throughout the entire turn. Due to the Taurus weight distribution, you can power up and out of the corner faster than with the Impala as most of the weight is in the front wheels. The model you prefer depends on how you drive and where. If you often have the trunk loaded, the weight distribution can also affect the way each car handles.
Safety Features Comparison
There are several safety features available on the 2020 Chevy Impala and 2020 Ford Taurus:
- Traction control
- Electronic stability systems (anti-skid)
- Antilock brakes
- Rear cross-path warning and parking sensors
- Rearview cameras,
- Lane departure and blind-spot warning systems
- Driver and front passenger airbags
- Front side-impact and head airbags
- Front-wheel drive
- Plastic fuel tanks
Both sedans have child safety locks. However, in the Impala, they are automatic, with the controls available from the driver's seat. The child locks in the Taurus have a manual switch at each rear door.
The front shoulder belts are adjustable in both the Impala and Taurus for enhanced safety, providing a better fit for increased comfort and preventing injuries to vehicle occupants. Only the Impala has the adjustable rear seat shoulder belts with child comfort guides.
Automatic Emergency Braking is optional in the Impala. Forward mount sensors warn the driver of a potential collision situation.
If the safety system determines a collision is imminent, the brakes are applied automatically to reduce the crash severity or avoid it entirely. Although the Taurus has an optional collision warning system, automatic braking is only available in the Limited model.
2020 Chevrolet Impala Features
2020 Impala Interior
The Impala's interior is plush, refined, and tuned for comfort. Although synthetic leather and cloth are standard, you can upgrade to genuine leather. The driver's seat is eight-way power-adjustable and both front seats are available with heating and ventilation. Upgrading to a heating steering wheel offers year-round driving pleasure. Foldable rear seats with a 60:40 split, footwell lights, rear air conditioning vents, and welcome light also provide convenience and comfort.
Impala Bluetooth, Infotainment, and Navigation
The technology package has come a long way since it was first offered in the Impala.
The 2020 model comes with:
- Eight-inch touch screen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- Six-speaker stereo
- Three USB ports
- Bluetooth
- Satellite radio
Optional features include an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo, a dual-pane sunroof, a 120-volt household-style outlet, wireless device charging and navigation system.
The touch screen is a bit awkward to reach due to the upward tilt, but it responds quickly. The audio and climate settings are physical knobs and buttons, making them easy to set and control.
Impala Exterior Features
Few overall design changes separate the 2020 Chevy Impala from previous model years. The chrome-plated radiator grille and 17" wheels give the Impala sleek, athletic look than other full-size sedans. The LT comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels and halogen headlights. The Premier Convenience package boasts 19-inch alloy wheels and high-intensity discharge headlights.
2020 Ford Taurus Features
2020 Ford Taurus Interior
Ford’s updates for the 2020 Taurus make the interior cozy and peaceful. The well-appointed interior offers leather seats as an upgrade. The optional heated and ventilated front seats also include 10-way strength-variable front side seating. Unlike the Impala, heated rear seats are also available.
Standard features include:
- Display screen of 4.2 inches
- Smartphone connectivity interface
- Universal serial bus dock
- Six-speaker stereo
Optional features include an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android OS, a USB 2.0 connector, HD FM radio, satellite radio, a navigation system, and moon roof. The Ford Taurus SHO has the most complete technology package as it offers features such as:
- SD Card
- Voice-operated controls
- Push-button start
- Automatic AC
- Ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming mirror
Taurus Exterior
The architecture and hood profile delivers a sense of solidity. Fine details from the polished 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, multi-piece LED taillights to the upswept chrome trim on the doors exude a bold, sportiness, and signature appearance. The prominent, five-bar grille is flanked with modern-shaped headlamps. The LED projector lamp technology and daytime running lights are ringed with chrome, continuing the contemporary look.
Comparison Bottom Line
The 2020 model year is the swan song for both of these long-running sedans. Each has streamlined their trim options and offered incremental updates from previous years, but the Ford will cost you more if you want all the bells and whistles.
You may be considering whether one holds its value better than the other, based on features or reliability. When it comes to which full-size car, Ford Taurus vs. Chevy Impala delivers the best value in the Valley of the Sun; the Chevrolet Impala comes out on top.
With its impressive performance, top-notch safety, and high-end style, you'll get more value out of the Impala. At every trim level, the Impala adds features that outperform the value of the Taurus. The design elements are arguably more attractive, and the Impala edges out the Taurus on intelligent, user-friendly features.
Stop by any of the premier Chevrolet Dealerships in Arizona to see the Impala for yourself.
