2020 Chevrolet Impala Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Chevy fans know that the Impala is a highlight of the Chevy line-up and has been production began on them all the way back in 1958. While the classics are certainly cool, the new 2020 Chevrolet Impala is pretty nifty too. Comfort, a spacious cargo area, swift acceleration - the Impala has everything you could want, save for a few advanced driver aids that tend to come on newer vehicles. But those can be overlooked in favor of the Impala's strengths.

There are only two trim levels available, so choices are limited. If you are someone who likes having a lot of different options, you might struggle with selecting between the base LT and the line-topping Premium trims. However, if you are someone who likes only a few clear-cut options, the decision-making process might be a little bit easier for you.

Both trim levels are great choices if you're looking for a cozy sedan. Of course, they do have quite a few differences that you might not notice just from looking at the two trims sitting side-by-side in a dealership's lot. Read this trim level comparison review and go into the buying process armed with more knowledge of what you will get from the new Impala.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Impala LT vs Premier Trims. What is the difference?

Since the 2020 Chevrolet Impala only has two trim levels to choose from, this review is going to focus on the LT's specs, then the Premier's, and offer up a comparison and final verdict on which is worth choosing.

The most obvious difference between the LT and the Premier is, of course, their prices. While the LT has a starting MSRP of around $31,620, the Premier has one of $36,720. That begs the questions of why there is such a difference. Well, as you will soon find out, there are quite a few features that get tacked onto the Premier trim level.

But let's start off with the LT and what it has to offer. The LT derives its power from a 3.6-L V6 engine that gets matched up with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This V6 engine has variable valve timing and can generate 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. Other mechanical features that you will find on the LT include a 4-link rear suspension, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, brake assist, and a dual outlet exhaust with turned-down tips that are hidden by the body of the vehicle. Electronic traction control comes standard, as do hill start assist, a MacPherson suspension up front, electronic stability control, and power steering. An engine block heater is available as an optional add-on. Those who live in cooler climates where winter gets harsh can benefit from having this feature since it warms up the engine and the engine block's fluids.

Naturally, the first thing that you are going to notice about the 2020 Chevy Impala is how it looks on the outside. Therefore, it is important to know just what kinds of features you will find there and how to tell the LT from the Premier trim level. The LT rides atop standard 18-inch painted alloy wheels with the Chevy logo emblazoned in gold into the center. If those are not shiny enough for you, then you can opt for the 18-inch 5-split-spoke machined face aluminum wheels with painted pockets to offset the spokes.

Of course, those are not the only exterior features that are worth talking about. The LT has body-colored door handles, a 17-inch compact spare tire, intermittent wipers for the front windshield, and halogen headlamps with auto on/off functionality that turns your lights on when you need them and shuts them off when you do not. The power side mirrors are heated and have integrated turn signals. There are LED daytime running lights that will light up when your headlights are off but the vehicle is running.

Some of the other exterior options that are available on the LT include the All-Weather Mat Protection Package (which gives your vehicle premium all-weather floor mats up front and in the rear as well as a premium cargo mat), chrome mirror caps, and the Driver Confidence Package. This package adds on park assist for the rear of the vehicle, rear cross-traffic alert, and a lane change warning with a blind zone alert function for the sides of the Impala. You can also opt to purchase front and rear splash guards, a front license plate bracket, gloss black emblems, wheel locks, a rear spoiler, and the LT Convenience Package. This particular package adds heated seats up front, a heated steering wheel, an automatically dimming rear-view mirror, the universal home remote, a 120-volt power outlet, a cargo net in the trunk, premium carpeted front and rear floor mats, and a carpeted trunk mat.

The LT's interior is not something that can be easily overlooked, as it is equally as impressive as the exterior. Inside of the LT's cabin, you will find two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets (with both being located on the front console), 4-way adjustable front head restraints, a 4-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, and a diagonal 4.2-inch colored driver information center that gives you access to fuel range, fuel economy, the trip odometer, oil and tire life, the vehicle's average speed, and vehicle data. This also allows you to personalize settings and warning messages.

4G LTE WiFi hot spot connectivity also comes standard, as do a 6-speaker sound system and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display. The driver seat is 8-way power adjustable, and the rear bench seat is 60/40 split-folding. The front seats are bucket seats, and they both have power lumbar control. The seats are all designed with premium cloth and leatherette.

Bluetooth connectivity comes standard and allows you to make and receive calls without using your hands. It also lets you store your entire contact list from your smartphone and use your preferred streaming services. Other standard interior features on the LT include an electronic push button powered parking brake, Chevrolet Connected Access capability, a compass display, electronic cruise control, rear window defrost, dual-zone automatic climate control, carpeted floor mats up front, keyless entry through the fob, keyless start, a steering wheel wrapped in leather, a manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power windows with express-up for the driver window, a rear view camera, a leather-clad shift knob, an anti-theft system, a power trunk release, two USB ports in the floor console, a USB port behind the radio touchscreen, and illuminated vanity mirrors on both visors in the front.

There are quite a few options available for the interior of the LT. These options include a 120-volt power outlet, jet black cloth and leatherette seating trim, rear park assist, and a trunk organizer. The trunk organizer is helpful if you have tools or other small items you would like to store in your trunk. You can also get a first aid kit added to your vehicle, which, along with the standard roadside emergency tool kit, can help you out should you need it.

Now, it is important to note that the LT's V6 engine gets a slightly better fuel economy than the Premier, but it is not by much. The LT gets 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway while the Premier gets 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

With all of that being said, it is time to see the other ways in which the Premier compares to the LT. It does take a lot of the LT's optional features and makes them standard. However, there are a lot of new options that get added into the mix.

The Premier has the same 3.6-L V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission as the LT. It also has the same 4-link rear suspension, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, brake assist, front-wheel drive drivetrain, MacPherson front suspension, Stabilitrak, and power steering. The Premier also makes the dual-exhaust tips bright and keeps them integrated into the rear fascia. Add-on options include automatic emergency braking and the engine block heater.

The Premier's exterior has quite a few differences that distinguish it from the LT. Standard features that can be found on the Premier's body are 19-inch aluminum wheels, chrome door handles that have a body-colored strip across them, auto on/off high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, and chrome sill plates in the front. The options list includes a rear spoiler, wheel locks, the Premier Confidence Package (which adds forward collision warning, advanced adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and 20-inch aluminum wheels), the Premier Convenience Package, and gloss black emblems. The Premier Convenience Package gives you a heated steering wheel, ventilation for the front seats, power tilt and telescoping steering, and an automatically dimming rear view mirror.

Peek inside of the Premier, and you will note some differences from the LT. The Premier shares a lot of the same features as the LT. It does standardize the 120-volt power outlet, an 8-way power adjustable front passenger seat, an 11-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround sound audio system, a cargo net, an 8-inch touchscreen display with an infotainment system including navigation features, heated front seats, ambient lighting, lane change alert with blind zone alert, rear park assist, rear traffic alert, and perforated leather seats. There is also an MP3 player and single CD player, universal home remote, and wireless charging.

Options inside the Premier include ventilation for the front seats, the trunk organizer, premium carpeted floor mats, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, lane departure warning, and memory settings. Most of these options can be purchased as part of the Premier Convenience and Premier Confidence Packages. They will take the price up quite a bit, but they both give you a ton of helpful features.

Which Trim to Choose?

The 2020 Chevrolet Impala only has two trims to choose from, but the selection is not as easy as it might seem. After carefully weighing out the pros and cons, the better trim level to buy is the Premier. And don't just buy the Premier - tack on the Premier Convenience Package. It adds all the right features for boosting comfort inside of the cabin.

The LT is not a terrible vehicle by any means, but it does not give you the same features that you get on the Premier. Those who want to buy the Impala are looking for something that can cruise and provide a lot of creature comforts. Passing on the LT and going with the Premier is the way to go. If you can swing it, add the Premier Confidence Package too. While other vehicles do make these features standard on their higher trim levels, if you are going for the Impala, you will need to add the optional packages on to get all of the latest safety and convenience features.