With a mid-size structure but full-size cabin space and seats for all in the family, the Impala line of sedans ranks among the best-selling passenger cars in America and it has also been the most popular Chevrolet. For 2006, the series gets a substantial make-over featuring sharp new exterior styling, a revamped passenger compartment offering premium options like leather upholstery and innovative flip-and-fold rear seats, along with new trim and powertrain choices.

Two models -- the base Impala LS and upscale LT -- provide a new 3.5-liter V6 with variable valve timing (VVT) and a power rating of 211 hp. Deluxe Impala LTZ goes further by stocking GM's new 3.9-liter VVT V6 for 240 hp. And the new sport-tuned Impala SS shows up with a big V8 rigged with Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology to conserve on fuel. The 5.3-liter V8 in Impala SS runs up to 303 hp.

As a sleek and sporty two-door coupe, Monte Carlo rides on the platform of Impala and carries the same mechanical components yet follows a different track for exterior styling and interior features. Like Impala, everything is new for 2006 although trims and powertrains match Impala. Monte Carlo LS and the LT appear with GM's new 3.5-liter VVT V6 for 211 hp and a top-tier LTZ version has the new 3.9-liter VVT V6 for 240 hp. The SS soars with a 5.3-liter DOD V8 sparking at 303 hp. All three engines for Monte Carlo use GM's Hydra-Matic 4T65-E four-speed automatic transmission.

Monte Carlo SS comes with FE4 sport suspension tuning and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped by Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires. Safety systems expand with standard anti-lock brake system (ABS) plus dual-stage frontal air bags and optional new seat-mounted side-impact air bags.

Chevrolet's mid-size sedan rides on GM's Epsilon platform with contemporary body styling evident and innovative features in the five-seat cabin. There's a fold-flat seatback for the front bucket and a rear split bench that folds to boost cargo space. For 2006 the trims and powertrains expand with a deluxe LTZ model added plus the sport-skewed Malibu SS.

In all, there are four variations -- Malibu LS, LT, LTZ and SS. Engine options include the Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder worth 140 hp for LS and LT or a 3.5-liter V6 with 201 hp for Malibu LTZ. The SS employs GM's new 3.9-liter V6 with VVT pumping 240 hp. Malibu LTZ stocks foglamps, automatic climate controls, six-way power for the driver's bucket and curtain-style air bags. The Malibu SS adds special body fascia fore and aft with a spoiler on the tail, sport suspension tuning and 18-inch flangeless wheels.

Maxx is a four-door car similar to Malibu's sedan, yet its wheelbase stretches to add room to the rear of the cabin and there's a cascading back door in hatchback format. Maxx's back bench slides almost seven inches back and forth to vary the space for people or cargo. The back of the right front bucket also folds forward to form a flat horizontal surface, and backs of the rear bench, divided into two sections, fold on the same plane. To shed extra light into the rear compartment, there's a fixed skylight overhead with retractable sunshade.

Trims for Maxx follow the pattern of Malibu with tiers of LS, LT, LTZ and SS. The first three of these extract power from Malibu's uplevel 3.5-liter V6 rated at 201 hp with a four-speed automatic transmission. Malibu Maxx SS the sporty edition draws the new 3.9-liter V6 with 240 hp. (...BACK)