Is a Chevy Impala a V8?
Not always. The Impala name has appeared on Chevrolets with a range of engines. Classic Impalas from the late 1950s through the 1960s often offered V8 power, while the modern generation (from the 2000s up to 2020) relied on V6 engines. There is no current V8-powered Impala in production.
This article traces the engine history of the Impala, highlighting when V8s were used and explaining what powered recent models before the line was discontinued.
Historical context: V8 availability in classic Impalas
Before diving into the details, it helps to know that the Impala’s early years were defined by performance-oriented V8s in many trims, especially the SS variants, which helped establish the model’s legendary image.
Notable V8-era Impalas
The classic Impala run (roughly 1958–1967) featured V8 options across multiple years and trims, with high-performance SS versions commonly equipped with V8 power. GM offered a range of V8 configurations during this period, from small-block to large-block designs, used to deliver strong acceleration and durability characteristic of the era.
- V8 options were widely available across many late-1950s to mid-1960s Impalas, especially in sportier SS trims.
- Displacements varied by year and engine family, with notable big-block and small-block V8s used at different times (historical context, not a fixed specification for every model).
Conclusion: The V8-equipped classics are a defining chapter of the Impala’s heritage, but not all models from those years used V8 power, and the performance emphasis varied by trim and generation.
Modern lineup and engine options: Is there a V8 today?
In the modern era, Chevrolet shifted the Impala to V6 powertrains, emphasizing efficiency and smoothness over the large V8 performance that characterized earlier decades.
Current powertrains and status
- Modern Impalas relied on V6 engines across generations, with no factory V8 option offered in the lineup.
- Throughout the 2000s–2010s, Impalas used various V6 variants in roughly the 3.4–3.6-liter range, paired with front-wheel drive and automatic transmissions.
- The last generation (2014–2020) was powered by a 3.6L V6 in higher trims, delivering a solid balance of performance and efficiency.
Conclusion: There is no V8 configuration in the modern Impala family. The model line was discontinued after the 2020 model year, ending an era of Impalas powered by V8 options in the classic period.
Summary
Across its history, the Chevrolet Impala has seen both V8 and V6 powertrains. The early Impalas often used V8 engines, particularly in performance-oriented variants, while later generations standardized on V6 power and front-wheel drive. With the discontinuation of the model after 2020, the Impala as a current production vehicle is not available with a V8 engine. If you’re shopping for a V8 Impala, you’ll be looking at classic models from the 1958–1967 era rather than any modern version.
