What was the last year Chevrolet made Impalas?
The last year Chevrolet sold the Impala in North America was the 2020 model year.
Chevrolet announced the Impala would be retired as part of a broader shift toward SUVs and trucks, with the 2020 model year marking the final generation available in the United States and Canada. This article reviews the timeline, the reasons behind the decision, and what the Impala’s retirement means for Chevrolet and its buyers.
Timeline of the Impala's final years
Key milestones that define the final generation's end of production are summarized below.
- Model year 2020 was the final Impala offered in North America.
- Chevrolet announced the decision to discontinue the Impala in 2019 as part of a broader refocus on SUVs and trucks.
- Production of the 2020 Impala ended in early 2020 as plants were retooled for future products.
The 2020 Impala carried forward the 10th-generation design introduced in 2014, but the model year marked the end of the nameplate in its traditional market.
Context: Why Chevrolet retired the Impala
Several market and corporate factors converged to end the Impala's run. Chevrolet faced declining demand for traditional large sedans as buyers shifted toward crossovers and SUVs, while GM needed to streamline its sedan lineup and free up manufacturing capacity for more profitable or fuel-efficient models.
Key factors driving the decision
These are the main reasons behind the retirement of the Impala in North America:
- Shifting consumer preferences toward SUVs and crossovers reduced demand for full-size sedans like the Impala.
- Rising costs and complexity of keeping a large sedan competitive across trim levels.
- Strategic restructuring within GM to emphasize core profitable segments and newer technologies.
Together, these factors led GM to end the Impala after the 2020 model year, concluding a long run for a nameplate once iconic on American roads.
Legacy and what comes next
With the Impala out of production, Chevrolet’s lineup has shifted focus toward SUVs and mid-size sedans. The Malibu remains the closest direct sedan option for customers seeking a non-SUV alternative, while Chevrolet’s SUV family has grown to occupy most of the brand’s mainstream space.
Where buyers turn now
For customers seeking similar space and comfort, the Malibu and Chevrolet’s larger SUVs fill the gap. For those who specifically want a full-size sedan, the used-vehicle market becomes the primary source, since no new Impalas have been produced since 2020.
- Chevrolet Malibu as the closest current sedan offering in the lineup.
- Chevrolet’s expanded SUV lineup (Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban) replacing many of the traditional roles of a full-size sedan.
In the used market, late-model Impalas remain available for buyers who value their spacious interiors and classic full-size sedan feel, offering a tangible link to the era when large American sedans dominated showrooms.
Summary
The Chevrolet Impala's final year of production in North America was 2020. Its retirement reflects a broader industry shift away from traditional full-size sedans toward SUVs and crossovers, a move that reshaped Chevrolet's lineup and the market for large family cars. While no new Impalas roll off GM's lines today, the model's legacy persists in the memories of drivers and in the continuing presence of used Impalas on roads and in collections.
