2009 Chevrolet Impala

This is a car with history. From its 1950s roots as a stylish cruiser up through the menacing muscle sedan of the 90s, the Impala made its mark on the world as one of the great classic Chevys.

Not that you'd know it from looking at the current model. During its last full redesign in 2000, the Impala morphed into yet another big, soft GM sedan using outdated mechanicals -- and so it remains today. Its V6 engines sound coarse, make average power and return low fuel economy. It rides and handles like a Buick (probably not a compliment), and there isn't as much passenger space as the 200-inch-long body would have you believe. The only really distinct feature is the awesome-sounding 303-horsepower V8 that returned in the 2006 SS model, but since the Impala is front-wheel-drive, "burning rubber" feels more awkward than fun.

Still, the Impala's not all bad. Performance is adequate. Adults can fit in both rows, and the trunk is gigantic. The 2006 refresh fixed all of the original car's ergonomic misfires, and made the outside look way more presentable. Being built at the same high-quality Canadian plant as the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix (the Impala's platform-mates) has also given the Impala the benefit of being one of GM's most reliable models. If that's not enough, a starting price near $22K puts it on the cheap side for a big sedan.

Higher standards of engineering and passenger comfort can be found in the Toyota Avalon or Ford Taurus, and nostalgics who long for Impala's muscle car roots should probably migrate over to the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300C or Dodge Charger. But for all its flaws, the Impala has enough basic advantages to keep it in the running.