Since 1936, Consumer Reports has been giving the honest skinny on everything people buy, from toys to tools to toasters. But their primary concern these days is that of the automobile, and Chevy’s latest iteration of the Impala seems to have floored them with far-reaching and excellent features, if the above video is any indication.

Photo: Route 46

According to CR, the Impala is leaps and bounds ahead of the “museum piece” that was the 2012-13 Impala, with its noisy interior and rock-and-bob suspension. As the narrator states, “If [a rental agency] offered it to you as a free upgrade, you’d turn it down.” Ouch.

The latest Impala shares the same platform as the Malibu, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac XTS, making it a true full-size sedan. In terms of handling, gone are the excessive body roll and bobbing suspension; now, the driver can actually enjoy driving again, with terrific, agile turning and an even keel over any patch of asphalt. And it can’t hurt that the 3.6L V6 puts out over 300 hp, giving the sedan some get-up-and-go while maintaining a competitive MPG.

Other features are the roomy trunk and intuitive, user-friendly console layout. CR goes so far as to say that the Impala is competitive with cars that cost $20,000 more, including the Acura RLX and Jaguar XF.”

However, CR is withholding its rating of “Recommended” pending the car’s release to general consumers. Once private consumer data is submitted, the ratings agency will then determine whether or not the car is worth your money.

Photo: Route 46

What do you think? Will the Impala be the turnaround sedan Chevy has been waiting for? Or are people counting pre-hatched chickens? Let us know in the comments.