Chevrolet Impala

Importing a used Chevrolet Impala from the USA

The Chevrolet Impala is a piece of American automotive furniture — a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan built for long, quiet highway miles rather than back-road agility. For European buyers it offers something the local market almost never provides at this size and price: a roomy, smooth, V6-powered saloon with genuine US character. USCar Trader acts purely as your import broker for these cars; we are an independent intermediary, not a Chevrolet dealer, and we source each used Impala to order. If you plan to import a used Chevrolet Impala from the USA, the practical starting points are the generation, the engine, and the assembly plant — because the Impala was built in both the United States and Canada, and that decides how customs treats your particular car.

Production years and key changes

The nameplate is old, but the cars relevant to import are the modern ones. The eighth generation (2006–2013) rode on GM's W-body platform: a traditional, softly sprung full-sizer sold heavily to fleets and families. The tenth generation (2014–2020) was a major step up, moving to the Epsilon II platform shared with the larger Cadillac and Buick sedans. This later car grew longer, gained a far more upmarket interior, and was widely praised in its day as one of the better big American sedans. Chevrolet discontinued the Impala in February 2020, which makes the final 2018–2020 cars the desirable end-of-line examples.

What is under the hood

Power is front-wheel drive throughout. The 2014-onward car offered a 2.5-litre Ecotec four-cylinder (around 196 hp) for economy-minded buyers, a 2.4-litre eAssist mild-hybrid four early in the run, and the engine most imports want: the 3.6-litre V6. In LFX and later LGX form this direct-injected V6 produces around 305 hp and gives the big sedan effortless, refined pace. The older W-body cars used 3.5 and 3.9-litre pushrod V6 engines and, in SS trim, a 5.3-litre V8. Transmissions are GM six-speed automatics (6T70 family) on the modern cars; they are robust and easy to service. There is no manual option.

Trims and body styles

The Impala is a four-door sedan only. US trim walks from the fleet-oriented LS through the volume LT to the well-equipped LTZ, renamed Premier for the final years. Higher trims add leather, heated and cooled seats, a large colour touchscreen with Chevrolet MyLink, Bose audio, a panoramic-feel cabin and driver-assist features such as forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning. Because American full-size sedans were often sold loaded, a used Premier can carry a lot of equipment.

What the US market offers

Availability is excellent. The Impala sold in large volumes to private owners, rental fleets and government fleets, so the US used market is deep. That fleet history is a double-edged sword: it keeps supply high but means mileage and wear vary widely, so history checks matter. Southern-state cars avoid the road salt that plagues northern examples. Well-kept, privately owned V6 cars from the 2014–2020 generation are the ones worth targeting. As always, we do not quote European prices — condition and provenance drive value.

Who this import is for

The Impala suits a buyer who wants space, comfort and unmistakable American flavour rather than sporting dynamics. It is a natural choice for someone who covers long distances, values a big, plush cabin, or simply likes the idea of a full-size Chevrolet sedan on German plates — a car you will rarely see in a supermarket car park here. If you want a compact, tax-efficient runabout, look elsewhere; the Impala is about presence and cruising ease.

Technical data and figures

Reliability: trouble spots to check

Chevrolet Impala reliability is generally solid, especially the later Epsilon II car, but there are recognised Chevrolet Impala common problems. The 3.6 V6 in early forms could suffer timing-chain stretch if oil changes were neglected, so a documented service history is important; the updated LGX largely resolved this. Watch for intake-manifold and cooling-system issues on the older 3.5/3.9 W-body engines. Electrical niggles around the MyLink touchscreen, the passenger-presence sensor and power-steering assist appear on some cars. The 6T70 transmission is durable but benefits from fluid changes at sensible intervals. Fleet cars can hide hard early lives, which is why provenance outweighs a low odometer reading.

US vs. Europe differences

US Impalas run red rear turn signals (or amber depending on year) instead of the separate amber indicators required in Germany, and have no rear fog lamp. Instruments read in mph, headlights follow the US beam pattern, and the infotainment carries US map data and radio bands. The car's sheer length and turning circle are worth bearing in mind for European roads and parking. None of these points blocks registration; they are simply items to address at approval.

How the import works

The sequence is straightforward: choose the car and agree terms; verify the VIN and decode the assembly plant to establish origin; hold funds in escrow; book roll-on/roll-off or container shipping from a US port; clear EU customs on arrival with duty and import VAT; take the car through TÜV individual approval (Einzelabnahme) with the required changes; and register it locally. USCar Trader manages these steps for you as broker.

Import duty, VAT and fees

Key point: duty depends on the plant of build; only a VIN check secures the 0% rate. Import VAT of 19% applies regardless.

The Impala is a neutral-origin model: it was assembled both at Detroit-Hamtramck in the United States and at Oshawa in Ontario, Canada. The EU import duty on your specific car therefore depends on where that exact vehicle was built, which must be confirmed by the VIN and plant code. A provably US-built Impala shipped directly can qualify for the 0% preferential rate under Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 (in force since 1 July 2026, valid until 31 December 2029). A Canadian-built car does not fall under that US-origin preference and is assessed at the standard third-country rate. In every case, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is charged separately on the customs value. We never advertise duty-free import and add no margin to these charges.

From modifications to registration

Expected work includes adding a rear fog lamp, converting the rear turn signals to amber, adjusting or replacing the headlights for the European beam, and verifying the speedometer in km/h. US cars almost never come with a COC, so a full expert assessment (Vollgutachten) is the usual approval route. The V6 drivetrain and emissions equipment generally pass without drama.

Pre-buy inspection points

Before buying, confirm: the VIN and decoded plant for origin; a Carfax or AutoCheck report covering accidents, title brands and mileage consistency; whether the car had fleet or rental use; the underbody for salt corrosion on northern cars; a documented oil-change and service record on V6 examples; the title status (clean vs. salvage/rebuilt); and the condition of the MyLink system and interior electronics. A local pre-purchase inspection is strongly advised.

What buyers ask most

Can a Chevrolet Impala be registered in Germany?

Yes. After individual approval and the standard lighting and instrument modifications, the Impala registers without unusual difficulty.

Will my Impala get 0% EU import duty?

Only if it is provably US-built by VIN/plant and shipped directly. Canadian-built cars are charged the standard third-country rate. We verify this before purchase.

Is the 19% import VAT always payable?

Yes. The 19% German import VAT applies to every import regardless of origin and is separate from any customs duty.

Which engine should I look for?

The 3.6-litre V6, especially the later LGX, is the one to have for smoothness and pace. The four-cylinders are fine but less characterful.

Are fleet-history cars a problem?

Not automatically, but they need a careful history check. A privately owned car with full records is generally the safer import.

What are the main reliability watch-points?

Timing-chain wear on neglected early 3.6 engines, older W-body cooling and intake issues, and occasional infotainment electrical faults.

How long will the import take?

Typically two to three months from purchase to German plates, mostly determined by shipping and the TÜV appointment.

Is the Impala too big for German roads?

It is a genuine full-size sedan with a wide turning circle, so factor in parking, but many owners use them daily without issue.

To get started, explore the Chevrolet in the Carhub, look at related sedans such as the Malibu, the Chrysler 300 and the Ford Taurus, or view the current Impala listings.