Schomp Honda

Safety

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Accord Sedan deploy with different levels of force or don't deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Accord Sedan's side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Impala's side airbags don't have smart features and will always deploy full force.

 

The Accord Sedan has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Impala doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

 

The Accord Sedan EX-L offers an optional backup monitor to help drivers see any and all obstacles behind their vehicle. The Impala doesn't offer any parking assist system.

 

Both the Accord Sedan and the Impala have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH front offset crash tests on new cars. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Accord Sedan is safer than the Impala:

	Accord Sedan	Impala
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	256	530
Peak Head G-forces	no hit	87 G's
Femur Force	1 kN/.3 kN	.9 kN/3.6 kN
Tibia index	.41/.4	.79/.98

(This test is not comparable to the NHTSA NCAP 35 MPH front crash test.)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with 'good' or 'acceptable' geometry. In these ratings, the Accord Sedan is safer then the Impala:

	Accord Sedan	Impala
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Restraint Design	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Distance from Back of Head	38 mm	72 mm
Distance Below Top of Head	32 mm	75 mm
Dynamic Test Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Seat Design	Pass	Fail
Neck Force Rating	Low	Medium
Max Neck Shearing Force	1	205
Max Neck Tension	320	736

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

Warranty

The Accord Sedan's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Impala's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

 

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Accord Sedan have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engines in the Impala.

 

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Honda Accord Sedan V6's reliability will be 17% better than the Impala and the Honda Accord Sedan 4 cyl. will be 34% better than the Impala.

 

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Accord Sedan first among midsize cars in their 2010 Initial Quality Study. The Impala isn't in the top three in its category.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 12th, below the industry average.

 

J.D. Power and Associates' surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 24th.

 

Engine

The Accord Sedan EX's optional 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 41 more horsepower (271 vs. 230) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (254 vs. 235) than the Impala LTZ's optional 3.9 V6.

 

As tested in Consumer Reports the Accord Sedan EX 3.5 SOHC V6 is faster than the Impala LTZ 3.9 V6 (automatics tested):

	Accord Sedan	Impala
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	92 MPH

 

Transmission

The Accord Sedan offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Impala doesn't offer a manual transmission.

 

A five-speed automatic is available on the Honda Accord Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a four-speed automatic is available for the Impala.

Suspension and Handling

 

The Accord Sedan has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impala doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

 

For better maneuverability, the Accord Sedan's turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Impala w/16" or 17" wheels' (37.7 feet vs. 38 feet). The Accord Sedan's turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Impala w/18" wheels' (37.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

 

Chassis

The Honda Accord Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 350 pounds less than the Chevrolet Impala.

 

The Accord Sedan 4 cyl. is 6.3 inches shorter than the Impala, making the Accord Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Accord Sedan V6 has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount and conventional liquid-filled engine mounts (standard liquid front mount on other versions of the Accord Sedan). A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Impala uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

 

The design of the Honda Accord Sedan amounts to more than styling. The Accord Sedan has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the Impala (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Accord Sedan get better fuel mileage.

 

The Accord Sedan EX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Impala doesn't offer active noise cancellation.

 

Passenger Space

The Accord Sedan has 2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Impala.

 

Cargo Capacity

The Accord Sedan's standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Impala LS doesn't offer folding rear seats.

 

With its coupe or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Accord Sedan offers cargo security. The Impala's non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

 

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Accord Sedan. The Impala doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

 

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Accord Sedan has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Impala doesn't offer a telescoping steering wheel.

 

When two different drivers share the Accord Sedan EX-L V6, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver's seat position and outside mirror angle. The Impala doesn't offer a memory system.

 

The Accord Sedan's standard driver's power window opens or closes with one touch of the switch, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Impala's power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully. The Accord Sedan LX-P/EX's front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver's window also automatically closes.

 

If the windows are left down on the Accord Sedan the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Impala can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

 

The Accord Sedan has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Impala doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

 

The Accord Sedan's speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Impala's manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

 

The Accord Sedan has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The Impala LS doesn't offer a rear seat center armrest.

 

The Accord Sedan EX-L's standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Impala doesn't offer automatic air conditioning.

 

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Accord Sedan has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Impala doesn't offer rear vents.

 

With optional voice command, the Accord Sedan EX-L offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls, cell phone and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Impala doesn't offer a voice control system.

 

Model Availability

 

The Honda Accord comes in coupe, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Chevrolet Impala isn't available as a coupe or station wagon.

 

Economic Advantages

 

Insurance will cost less for the Accord Sedan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Accord Sedan with a number '5' insurance rate while the Impala is rated higher at a number '8' rate.

 

The Accord Sedan will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Accord Sedan will retain a greater percentage of its original price after two and four years than the Impala.

	Accord Sedan	Impala
Four Year	39% to 41%	22% to 23%
Two Year	55% to 58%	34% to 35%

 

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Accord Sedan is less expensive to operate than the Impala because it costs $288 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Accord Sedan than the Impala, including $150 less for a water pump, $223 less for an alternator, $65 less for front brake pads, $199 less for a starter, $124 less for fuel injection, $253 less for a fuel pump, $80 less for front struts and $168 less for a timing belt/chain.

 

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Accord Sedan will be $5612 to $26634 less than for the Chevrolet Impala.

 

Recommendations

 

The Honda Accord Sedan has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Accord Sedan	Impala
Consumer Reports Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Kiplinger's Award	TRUE	FALSE

 

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Accord Sedan third among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Impala isn't in the top three in its category.

 

The Accord was chosen as one of Car and Driver's "Top Ten" for 15 of the last 18 years. The Impala has never been a Car and Driver "Top Ten" pick.

 

The Honda Accord outsold the Chevrolet Impala by 77% during the 2010 model year.

* [1]  Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.