Drivers love the 2003 Impala, from the powerful engines to the little touches such as the signal indicating low windshield wiper fluid.
The engines remained the same as they had since the car's return in 2000: a 3.4-liter, 180-horsepower V6 in the standard car, and a 3.8-liter, 200-horsepower V6 in the LS. The standard engine continued to get excellent mileage, at 21 city/32 highway, and the LS followed closely behind at 19/29. These numbers allowed the 2003 Impala to continue to lead its class for fuel economy.
The car is extremely spacious, and-especially for a reasonably priced car-fairly luxurious. Available leather seats and satellite radio can add an even more luxurious feel to the ride. Gauges are clear and easy-to-read. All in all, an excellent buy.
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.
Ive had my 2003 Impala since new. Excellent car. Drivetrain is as smooth as my new car. Uses no oil. Gets 34 mpg on the highway (w/AC off). 160,000 miles.Oct 28, 2024
by Tristen Y
Feb 16, 2022
Breaks down all the time. Gaskets go out, my front axle snapped when it should not have. Rusts to quickly. These vehicles are made from cheap dirt and not quality material. Feb 16, 2022
by Anonymous
Dec 09, 2021
Worse car I ever had in regards to quality and durability. My first American car. I am not a chevy fan. Very room comfortably sits 5 people and great trunk space. Cloth interior, panoramic sunroof. No luxury features. V6 engine. Handled pretty well for local and distance traveling. Stylish with rear spoiler and sport rear lighting. Affordable car at time of purchase. I would compare to a Chevy Malibu. Good value not a high mileage car. Dec 09, 2021
User rating:
by Anonymous
Oct 28, 2024
Ive had my 2003 Impala since new. Excellent car. Drivetrain is as smooth as my new car. Uses no oil. Gets 34 mpg on the highway (w/AC off). 160,000 miles.Oct 28, 2024
by Tristen Y
Feb 16, 2022
Breaks down all the time. Gaskets go out, my front axle snapped when it should not have. Rusts to quickly. These vehicles are made from cheap dirt and not quality material. Feb 16, 2022
by Anonymous
Dec 09, 2021
Worse car I ever had in regards to quality and durability. My first American car. I am not a chevy fan. Very room comfortably sits 5 people and great trunk space. Cloth interior, panoramic sunroof. No luxury features. V6 engine. Handled pretty well for local and distance traveling. Stylish with rear spoiler and sport rear lighting. Affordable car at time of purchase. I would compare to a Chevy Malibu. Good value not a high mileage car. Dec 09, 2021
by Robert F
Dec 03, 2021
Good running vehicle I will always go impala Dec 03, 2021
by Jan B
Sep 04, 2020
Its a nice car, just bigger than I like . I prefer a Mazda hatchback.Sep 04, 2020
by Anonymous
Nov 16, 2014
very large, runs great. ac is amazing. Has me keeping it clean 24/7 it is such a great car. Use it to go to work so it is reliable. again i love the space it is so big just had to say it again.Nov 16, 2014
by Anonymous
Sep 17, 2014
I bought this car from a private party with 90k on it. This car has all the bells and whistles you could ask for in a sedan, leather, power everything, great factory sound system, sunroof, and plenty of room for 5 adults. It has a lot of power and handles great, however, I'm beginning to have issues with the transmission, which I'm finding out from research that they are notorious for. At 149k miles, its beginning to slip at take off. I've maintained this car just as I have every vehicle I've ever owned, with great care and attention. I've always been a fan of Chevy, however, the verdict is still out for me on this particular model when it comes to overall mechanical maintenance overtime. One recommendation is, if you have to buy certain mechanical parts for this particular model, I would suggest good after market parts, I wouldn't put any GM replacement parts on it, they just don't seem to stand up and you'll wind up replacing again, sooner rather than later.Sep 17, 2014
by wayne H
Jun 23, 2013
This car is a great family car. Great for trips and it will always be there. You need to not have a led foot because this car burns a lot of gas. All in all, It is a great car.Jun 23, 2013
by Anonymous
Sep 23, 2012
I like the car style and it's very comfortable, I don't like the minor issue's i have with the chevy Impala. From a a scale to 1 thru 10 i give the impala a 7, I do love my car!Sep 23, 2012
by Philip P
Nov 03, 2011
Very solid and reliable car. Not too many repairs mostly just regular maint. Great for family trips and long business trips in a vehicle that handles well. Respextable appearance. Comfortable and resonable gas mileage. The only drawback is the emarrassing piston slap/ticking in the cold weather until it warms up.Nov 03, 2011
by Kain R
Apr 04, 2011
this car is good because it doesn't break down from when i got it to now and it has good fuel mileage and it is a safe car if you crash it.i had it for over four years now.I love it!Apr 04, 2011
by Brett M
Jan 28, 2011
Well its a big comfy winter beater that is kinda quickish, handles not great, has crappy build quality, leaks oil and coolant, goes through brakes too quickly, and has a slipping transmission.
On a good note it was free, it is quiet, comfortable, and decent on fuel.Jan 28, 2011
by Sebastian O
Jun 10, 2010
A fairly mundane car, pretty solid construction and spacious. The engine is raspy and feels underpowered, and the steering is less than eager. Good car but nothing exciting. I got mine for pretty cheap. otherwise I wouldn't have looked at an ImpalaJun 10, 2010
by Eric K
Mar 05, 2010
I love my Impala because of the good gas milage, very good handling around corners. I love the cars engine: GM's 3800 Series II. I would say Impalas are very fun to drive if you like full size cars. I will keep my Impala for a very long time!Mar 05, 2010
by Matt R
Mar 03, 2010
Performance- accelerates great, brakes are good, handles good.
Build Quality - The engine is a sound build but i have had to get my manifold replaced, and a sensor and harness in my wheel hub is going out, the car is a tank though.
Apperance - I have the ls sport, so its an impala with some sporty looks. Its a good looking car for a family sedan and its a comfy ride. The plastic wood finsh gives it a classy look.
Cost- For a big 3.8L this car can get some great mpg if you treat it well, ive gotten my car to 30mpg and i avg close to 25mpg. maintenance is reg.
Fun- Having a Flowmaster on my car makes me feel like im driving a muscle car. it has great pick up and i have drag raced it a few times and won all my racesMar 03, 2010
by Jeff C
Nov 27, 2009
Every car have ever owned do not equal up to my impala, I have owned cadilliacs and everything under the sun and nothing is as great as my impala. So everyone get your self and a american made beauty and buy one.Nov 27, 2009
by Cassie B
Oct 30, 2009
one thing i dont' like about it is the tank size. compared to my last car it's huge and it cost more to fill with gas every week. but overall i love this car but i can't wait to get my next one..Oct 30, 2009
by Kyle G
Oct 17, 2009
This is a great highway cruiser with lots of room inside, and decent fuel economy for the power it provides. Front steering linkages suck, and the gaskets used in the engine are horrible. I've already had to replace the coolant intake gasket at 150 000 km.
Other then that, my Impala is a great car!Oct 17, 2009
by Daniel L
Oct 09, 2009
it has good acceleration and handling, so far it hasn't needed any repairs and the appearance is great. Most of all for a full sized car it gets good gas mileage. I love driving my impala cause it looks good, performs great and the girls love it.Oct 09, 2009
by Allison H
Sep 23, 2009
I like my car because it rides pretty smooth and also because it's a lot prettier than the other cars I've had. The only realy problem that I've had with it was the harmonic balancer went out so it was breaking my belt. It'll start to act a little strange if the oil isn't changed at least every 5,000 miles. The gas mileage is pretty decent, I only have to fill it up once a week. It's actually really big on the inside and it's very comfortable to drive.Sep 23, 2009
by Mike T
Sep 03, 2009
ok, i realy like this car. i baught it yesterday as a straight
trade for my old hyundai. i hated it so much, i found this
car. it
has a 3.4L V6, tint, and alloy wheels. 3 things ive never
had in
a car. it is Dark Metalic Gold. i have only test driven and
driven
it home, but it runs strong, doors close with the feel of a
brand new lexus, v6 is incredibly quiet and quiet even
when i
gun it. traction control and abs standard, sofar i am
incredibly
impressed. Sep 03, 2009
by Heather C
Sep 01, 2009
It is a great car! It fits the whole family. IT handles well on tight corners. It looks nice on the outside. SO far we are about 200.00 into it. It is a fun car to drive. But Chris drives this car daily. I do not. Sep 01, 2009
by Anonymous
Aug 23, 2009
So far this car has been great, its cheap to repair and cheap on gas. Also because its an ex cop car it is reinforsed so i can feel that much safer, not like NEW cars that crumble like a tin can!!! I LOVE THIS CAR Aug 23, 2009
by Drezlynne K
Aug 04, 2009
Loved it on my road trip from Kentucky (where I bought it) to California. Leather seats were comfy and the OnStar was great. Wish more cars had that option available. Lots of room and space. Gas mileage was high, usually got about 23+ depending on driving conditions. There was a display that calculated MPG, miles you can go with the gas left in the tank, etc.Aug 04, 2009
by Benjamin S
Jul 02, 2009
My new daily driver with much better mileage than I can hope
for out of my truck. It's not the most stylish vehicle, but it
keeps me out of the trouble a Subaru Impreza would beg for.
It is comfortable on long trips though, and I find myself on
them more often lately.Jul 02, 2009
by Brian M
Jun 29, 2009
Bought used with about 51k miles. drives like it less than half that. the 3.8L powerplant pulls this car very well. Had to fix a few things, but were covered under warranty, so no cost to me! Considering improving the engine on this car, anyone willing to help?Jun 29, 2009
by Jeff T
Feb 20, 2009
The 2003 Chevrolet Impala LS has everything a man could want in a mid sized automobile. Drives like a Caddy but at half the price. Everything is computerized right down to the radio.The on board computer tells you every little maintenance problem you might in counter before it happens. It's made for the type of person you forgets when the last oil change was (my wife).Honestly I can't say anything bad about the carFeb 20, 2009
by Tierre H
Dec 19, 2008
its alright its pretty i love thhe motor inside that mug you know wat im saying,its got customize seats,rims on it 20inch,its all gold wit the black strip, it got a tracking system in the car wit peanutbutter seatsDec 19, 2008
by Penny L
Nov 30, 2008
It was hot.
It was not quite as smooth as I wouldhave liked, but for the class of car, it was to be expected. Brakes were great, gas mileage was good; it was fun to drive.
It did not have squeaks, rattles, or any weird problems like that.
I would have loved to have the leather seats, but was too broke to afford the package for that.
Regrettably, some woman was taking a nap while she was driving to work and destroyed my car; it didn't help my health any, either.Nov 30, 2008
by Eph Y
Oct 30, 2008
Its a very comfortable car and has power everything. Its more of a family car but I feel very safe in it. I wish it was a little more sporty looking but thats alright. I love to drive it because its fun and handles great. I think my more ideal car is a sports car because I hate how bulky my Impala is. But I must say, it does have balls.Oct 30, 2008
by Jan W
Oct 03, 2008
I would and have recommended this car to friends and they have boughten one and liked it. It is reliable, moves when I need it to. Starts in the winter.Yes it has needed to have some repairs but it also has well over 200,00 kms on it, but no major ones.I like driving this car people think I am a police car and they move out of my way when I drive up behind them. Some people have even slowed down but the funnyest thing was I was driving in Port Perry and a car in front of me through something out the window when I came up behind them. Don't know what it was but one can only speculate.So yes I love driving my car!Oct 03, 2008
by Matt M
Jul 30, 2008
Very Good reliable car. Great on gas. Drives very smooth.
Very good family car. Lots of Space.
Good looking car very sleak and smooth. Loaded with all the options this car looks mean, and performes like a dream.
I have owned two Impalas and would recommend one to anyone who has a family and still wants a vehicle with great gas milage and power, and all the spaced needed to be comfortable.
Jul 30, 2008
by Christopher S
Jun 04, 2008
Purchased this car in 2004 when I traded in my truck. We have had this car ever since. I have had zero mechanical problems and the only time she has been in the shop is when she has body damage.Jun 04, 2008
by Morgan C
Apr 14, 2008
I like my Impala. It's fits me and I'm a big guy. I had a 1998 Honda Accord (4 cyl.) before this which I had no problems with, but this car is actually bigger, more powerful and gets better gas mileage. Go figure!Apr 14, 2008
by James T
Apr 10, 2008
As it is stock....kinda lame, but there are lots of things you can do to it to make it look/perform betterApr 10, 2008
by Kyle P
Jan 06, 2008
Car has been a pleasant surprise even though it is a giant 4 door family sedan and I don't really need that yet. Very reliable have not ever taken it into the dealership and it has 70,000 miles. Decent gas mileage, I only wish I had gotten something a little sportier because the next time I do buy a new car I probably will have a familyJan 06, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 22, 2007
This car runs great and is great looking too. I have the LS model with a sunroof. Vehicle has plenty of room and really isnt that bad on gas. Reasonably priced too!! All around good car !!
I Jul 22, 2007
by Anonymous
Jul 18, 2007
A fine comfortable car to drive. Short turning radius. Power enough. Smooth handling. Economical traveling at 30 mpg. It also has curbside appeal. LPJul 18, 2007
cooling fans don't come on,when driving,replaced fans,replaced water pump.and temp sensor 3 times,still not working... but if I remove 1 wire from temp sensor fans come on but temp gauge show zero..Now air conitioning won't work check all fuses and relays all good! but can remove relay from air condition compressor and jump it and air works! what show I check or do now...
I have a 2003 Chevy impala that I've changed the ignition switch on and the car won't start. I've changed the ignition relays and fuses and still it won't start. I got down under the car and bumped the starter and it turned over. But when I try to turn it over from switch it shuts down and says nothing.
I have a 2003 Chevy Impala 3.4 that overheated. The heads didn't crack thankfully. So we replaced the radiator, thermostat, thermostat sensor, water pump, and all the hoses. The car seems to be running good, the fans are kicking on, but the gauge is still passing one or two notches past the halfway point. Can anyone tell me what the issue can be? Thank you!