Home » Car Reviews » Chevrolet » Chevrolet Monte Carlo » 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Mid-Size Coupe and Impala Sedan
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Mid-Size Coupe and Impala Sedan
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Interior
While you're playing with that spiffy OnStar system, take a look around at all the room that the Impala provides its passengers. It feels roomy, but, as mentioned earlier, feels a little dated. However, dated is much better than being so technologically complicated that it takes a manual to turn on the radio. GM uses its interior research well to provide easy to reach, easy to use radio and climate controls.
The Monte Carlo places climate controls a bit low for some, depending on driving position. The Impala tries to bring things into the 21st century with an Ipod jack – a good idea for attracting a younger crowd to the car's demographic.
The LS model does come with plenty of basic interior features, like air conditioning with an interior air filter (hooray for fewer allergens!) cruise control, cup-holders, and power steering, mirrors, windows and door locks.
Cloth upholstery is standard on the LS, with the Impala getting a front split bench seat and the sportier Monte Carlo providing front bucket seats. Conveniently, the driver has an eight-way power adjustable seat with a lumbar adjustment in both models. The Impala might be able to fit six people with the center console that lifts up to reveal more seating, but it's a tight fit. It's perhaps something best left for younger children. All front bench seat bottoms are a little too short for long-distance comfort, depending on occupants' height, obviously.
A column shifter switches gears in the Impala, while the Monte Carlo has a center console with the shifter connected. The base Monte-Carlos also all have an AM/FM/CD player, and digital clock. Lighting comes from dual map lights and visor mirrors. Outside, find convenient automatic headlights that won't run down the battery, because they'll turn off whether you do it manually or not..
Move up to the 3.5-liter LT and get dual-zone manual climate controls, remote engine start and outside-temperature indicator. The 3.9-liter LT adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, front bucket seats (to the Impala), and a folding rear seat. The sound system in the 3.9 LT is MP3 compatible.
The LTZ finally takes the interior to the level of leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a six-way power passenger seat in the Impala. However, one does loose the sixth seat due to the floor shifter and center console.
Also included with the LTZ is satellite radio, which is free for the first three months, and a spectacular Bose sound system (Impala only.) The Monte Carlo doesn't get Bose, but is upgraded to the Impala 3.9 LT. Other cool goodies that are standard on the LTZ are automatic dimming day-to-night rearview mirror and a universal garage-door opener. Add a power sunroof in the LT and up for $900, or add that Bose system or satellite radio for $300 to $500 more (depending on the model). Get leather upholstery in the LT 3.9-liter for a lot more cash - over $1,000 - but with it comes heated seats, and a 6-way power adjustable passenger seat to make the package more attractive.
Exterior
A conservative-looking car, the Impala has nice lines but isn't exactly remarkable. The SS helps with unique body trim and a rear spoiler, but all are, nevertheless, what one might think of as a 'stereotypical sedan.' The Monte Carlo is a little better with more original lines that still hearken back to its glory days. Choose from nine colors, some of which are unavailable on the SS. Lazer Blue Metallic is not available on the LS.
The LS Monte Carlo also gets a rear spoiler, and both it and the Impala get 225/60R tires over 16-inch rims with wheel covers. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels come standard on the LT 3.9-liter, along with 225/55R tires, front integrated fog lights and a rear spoiler.
Every Impala and Monte Carlo get halogen headlights which are clear and have a clean, geometric design that compliments and updates the look for both cars. All SS models get chromed-out dual exhaust pipes that look - excuse the car/rapper slang - incredibly sick along with the taillights. Get polished alloy wheels - for the SS only - for $300 more.
In Conclusion
So what's the verdict? Die-hard Chevy fans will love both cars for their practical-minded - if outdated with too much drab plastic - interiors, and the impressive response of the throttle in the infamous SS models.
And because the Impala has a slightly generic exterior, it's hard to see it as offensive. Of course, in today's world of customize, customize, customize, this can also be a bad thing.
The five-star NHTSA crash test rating for the Impala, however, is quite encouraging, even if base models don't come with ABS or traction control.
Most can find something better - or something with a little more to offer in certain categories - for the price of $20,000 to $30,000. In fact, the new Camry actually starts at around $19,000 and offers more safety features than does the Impala or Monte Carlo.
But if you're a rap star, 'donker,' or a Ford-hater, there are few better places to look than Chevy's big cars.
Pros: Decent cars if like you want retro, but aren't attached to having the product look exactly like the original. Impala SS is fun to drive and has great crash-test ratings.
Cons: Both models have less content, lower build-quality, cheap plastic parts in critical locations, and higher prices than comparable imports -- many of which are built here.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 6
- Performance: 8
- Price: 8
- Handling: 6
- Ride: 5
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 4
- Overall: 6
More Data
Where Built: Canada
Major Options: Front side airbags, Antilock brakes, Power sunroof, Bucket seats, Front split bench seat, Folding rear seat, Leather upholstery, Woodgrain interior trim, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, Satellite radio, Bose sound system, Upgraded sound system, Universal garage door opener, Illuminated visor mirrors, Remote engine start prep, Engine-block heater, Rear spoiler delete, Alloy wheels, Polished alloy wheels.
Seating: 5 - 6.
Number of Rows: 2.
Length in Inches: 196.4 – 200.4
Warrantees: 5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain, 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper, 6 years/100,000 miles Corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,353 - 3553 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 17.5
Destination Charge: $660
