Chevrolet Impala wows Consumer Reports

YONKERS, N.Y., July 25 (UPI) -- Consumer Reports said the 2014 Chevrolet Impala earned the best scores in its class, making a U.S. model the top large sedan for the first time in 20 years.

The product testing organization praised the Impala's handling, braking and its "refreshingly intuitive and easy to use" interior controls. "When pushed to its handling limits, the Impala proved secure, responsive, balanced, and easy to control," CR said.

Further, the Impala has gone from a "mediocre" score of 63 to an "excellent" score of 95, Consumer Reports said.

"That places it not only at the top of its 'Large Sedan' category, but also among the top-rated vehicles Consumer Reports has tested. Only two vehicles have a higher test score – the [all-electric] Tesla Model S hatchback and the BMW 135i coupe," Consumer Reports said.

Consumer Reports, however, said the 2014 could not be placed in its "Recommended" category, because it was too new to have met other requirements, including doing well in government crash tests and in the company's Annual Auto Survey.

But Jack Fisher, director Consumer Reports automotive testing, said the Impala was "one more indicator of an emerging domestic renaissance," for the U.S. automobile industry.

"We've seen a number of redesigned American models -- including the Chrysler 300, Ford Escape and Fusion, and Jeep Grand Cherokee -- deliver world-class performance in our test," he said.