The Chevrolet Impala is headed for another hiatus – perhaps indefinitely. 2020 will be the last model year for the immediate future for Chevy’s classic car, but with more than 50 years of Impalas on the road, there are plenty of options for those looking to find their next used car.

The quality of the Chevy Impala has varied by year, with 2002 and 2005 presenting the most problems to consumers. However, the Impala’s quality continued to trend up after the mid-2000s, and the 2012 model may be the best all-around used car on the market.

Modern evaluations of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala

Kelley Blue Book consumers gave the 2012 Chevrolet Impala an excellent 4.3-star average review, and it has shown up in “best used car” lists around the internet. For example, iseecars.com ranks it in the top three cars under $10,000, behind only two (more expensive) Honda options renowned for their longevity. So, what exactly makes the 2012 Impala a better value for the money than a similarly-priced option?

Despite 2012 being nearly a decade ago, the Impala still featured onboard Bluetooth technology. The engine was also updated during the development of this model year to future-proof the vehicle as well as possible. Those are the two features that make the Impala stand out most among 2012 vehicles, but the real draw is its reliability. Many of the available 2012 Impala models are fleet vehicles that ticked past 100,000 miles years ago but still run with few issues.

Chevrolet Impala pricing and reviews

However, plenty of Chevy Impala models with fewer than 100,000 or even 50,000 miles are still available at great prices. It’s not a car that stands out in any particularly stylish way, but the all-around quality can’t be beaten at the price.

Consumer Reports provides a picture of the Impala that tracks with what we expect: it’s an above-average car at a great price. Owners also rated it an 80/100 in the driving experience category, significantly ahead of most of the Impala’s similarly-priced competitors.

As seen at the CR link above, the 2012 Chevrolet Impala did experience some recall issues in the early 2010s. However, no new issues have occurred since 2014. Any Impalas available for purchase today will have had these problems fixed with no issues.

Impala models through the years

Because used cars are a finite resource, it’s unusual for a model year to be popular among buyers for too long. 2012 Chevrolet Impala models haven’t been produced in eight years (naturally), and they’re only adding on more and more miles. But this model year has managed to stay relevant since they were first introduced due to reliable, consistent manufacturing.

When it comes to purchasing a pre-owned car, the first consideration is usually price. After all, the 2012 Impala is fantastic, but it doesn’t measure up to today’s new cars. However, at under $10,000, the Impala in question doesn’t hurt the wallet like a 2020 model would. The 2012 Impala won’t be right for everyone. If you’re looking for something newer, the 2018 model also received excellent reviews.

The bottom line on Chevy’s 2012 masterpiece

If your price range is below $6,000, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a 2012 model without 150,000 or more miles. If you’ve got a couple thousand dollars to spend, there may be another make or model that better suits you. But a huge number of used car buyers fall into the exact range where the 2012 Impala is a perfect choice.

Even though Chevrolet is stopping production of the Impala after the 2020 models, it’s likely that 2012 Chevy Impala models will remain on the road and be a great bargain for the foreseeable future.