You know, there is just something inherently right about a small block V8 in a big American sedan. It conjures up images suits with skinny ties, smoking unfiltered cigarettes, and dying before you’re 50. The world is still black and white, and you like Ike. So driving one of these that was built in the post expensive gas, politically correct, polar bear friendly 2000s is kind of out of place — much like a member of PETA at a pig roast. However, the 2009 Chevrolet Impala SS is a small block sporting sedan built in these strange times, and it’s not terrible.
The Chevrolet Impala really is one of the best American nameplates out there. Its old, storied, they have sold an absolute sh*t ton of these cars. Introduced in 1958, the Impala is currently in its 10th generation. This is incredible considering it is an American car and the generations go on longer than the tenure of most Italian dictators. Statistically speaking, if you talk to someone born in America after the 20’s, they have owned one of these. In 1965 they sold over 1 million of them. To but that in perspective, it’s hard to sell a million of one brand in 2017, let alone one million of one make. They’re still selling the piss out of it, averaging well over 100,000 Impalas every year, like clockwork.
Usually when I get an email that I’m reviewing a vehicle with 6 cylinders, two turbo’s, and all wheel drive it’s something sleek, fast, and German. Needless to say when I found out that I was driving something Italian, my mind instantly went to the brilliance of some of the recent Alfa Romeo’s and to questions about the possibility of an AWD Maserati Biturbo. So when I saw the hulking, battleship grey Ram 2500 — I was pretty sure it was