Like dinosaurs, big muscular sedans used to roam the planet with utter dominance. They were the height of fashion, and they were everywhere. From the brutish BMW M5 and iconic Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG to the rally-inspired Subaru Impreza Turbo. Sedans were big business. But then the fashion meter struck, and they were extinct.

The love and affection for sedans have reduced. It's now all about SUV and Crossover ownership. Vehicles like the 2022 Range Rover Evoque are the vehicle of choice for today's fashion-conscious motorists. This is a shame, as the sports sedan kicked some serious ass.

But for those who are less worried about turning heads and more interested in smoking tires, there is hope. A quick delve into the auto adverts will reveal a whole host of modern classic sedans all awaiting a new owner, and Chevrolet produced several. The 1996 Chevy Impala is among the top picks for escaping modern society's SUV hell. Just awesome from hood to trunk, these are the 10 reasons why we love the 1996 Chevy Impala SS.

Related: Skoda Rapid, A Highly Capable Compact Sedan That Eluded Americans

10 A Brief Revival

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The nineties Impala SS brought back a monster, with a twist. The name hadn't been used by Chevrolet since 1969. The Impala SS had never been sold with four doors. It was an educated gamble to draw in fresh buyers. Chevy sold 6,303 units in its first year. All were black.

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With only a production run from 1994 to 1996, the Impala SS is a desirable car. The later 1996 models were redesigned to feature subtle changes. Sales continued to soar before GM sounded the deal bell. The production line would now be used to build SUVs.

9 The Cop Specification Car

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The Impala SS is essentially a plain clothes Caprice cop car. All SS Impalas came fitted with the 9C1 Police Package. This included uprated hoses, quicker steering, faster transmission ratios, a digital speedometer, stiffer suspension, and a better exhaust.

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The improvements didn't end there though. The 1996 Impala SS was also equipped with a floor-mounted shifter. Unlike the police cars, the Impala could be ordered with the Preferred Equipment Package. This gave power seats, automatic headlamps, and an auto-dimming mirror.

8 Loads Of Power

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Tucked away under the hood of the Impala SS is a sweet V8. An iron-head variant of the LT1, it produced 260hp from a 5.7-liter. The engine was tuned for low-down torque. With 330 lb/ft of stump-pulling power being on tap. It also sounds fantastic at idle.

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Mash the throttle and the big Impala SS will hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Not bad for a big car. On the move, there is power throughout the rev range ensuring rapid progress. It can still hold its own today, with first gear good for 48 mph.

Related: 5 Top V8 Engines We Have Ever Seen

7 Ultra-Reliable

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Cop cars take a mechanical beating. Hours of daily use, seven days a week. Underpinned with uprated Cop parts the Impala SS has proven to be hugely reliable. Owners have described the car as almost unbreakable in standard form. It just keeps going and going.

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The only chink in the Impala SS armor is the transmission. After 100,000 miles it is likely to need a rebuild. But then, so do quite a few other transmissions. Besides this, it's a solid vehicle. Look after one, and it will deliver performance, comfort, and street presence.

6 A Street Sleeper

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Wander around an Impala SS, and it doesn't look like much. It's just a big sedan with some fancy badges. The design hasn't aged that badly, but it's far from a glamour queen. The Impala SS can blend into a crowd and be easily missed. It's a great sleeper car.

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Like a shark hunting its prey, the Impala SS will cruise around stealthily. The unstressed V8 is ticking over in the low rev band. Yet, when the time comes, it can unleash a torrent of power. Drop the hammer, wake up the engine and watch it fly. This classic can still dance.

Related: These 10 Modern Sleepers Are Way More Fun To Drive Than They Look

5 It'll Take A Tune

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Although still a rapid machine, the standard Impala SS may not be a match for some modern cars. Worry not though, as several tuning options are on hand. For a quick pony lift, an exhaust, induction kit, and set of cams will see power jump over 300 hp.

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If that is not enough then numerous solutions are available. The most common is a full-on engine replacement. Dropping in an LT1 crate motor allows for huge enhancements. It's simply a case of budget and how much power. Just easy off-the-shelf improvements.

4 A Modern Classic

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There is something refreshingly cool about the Impala SS. Its design may not be iconic, but the idea behind the car is. Dropping a big, powerful engine in a comfortable car always makes sense. Making it extra special with performance additions, even more so.

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Take an Impala SS to any car show, and it gets a load of respect. It'll also remind people of the time they got pulled over. The Impala SS is an everyday hero. It's an affordable option for those gearheads that appreciate the package on offer. Just get in, drive, and smile.

3 Sports Sedan At Its Best

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Yes, the Impala is a tire-smoking undercover cop. But it's also a comfortable sedan at heart. Open any door and deep-cushioned leather seats await. There are simply acres of room inside. This is one sports sedan that will eat up miles, without stressing its driver.

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Then, when the mood changes, the Impala can truly excite. Thanks to those uprated parts, the Impala SS can corner, and corner fast. The suspension copes admirably with sharp direction changes. It may not be up to Germany's best offerings, but it's not that far behind.

2 Wonderfully Unrefined

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A big naturally aspirated V8 engine, an automatic gearbox, and rear-wheel drive. The recipe is very simple. Too simple for some, but it works. The Impala SS is an ode to muscle cars. A sports sedan done right, with no fussy gimmicks. Power and poise. Nothing more.

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By modern standards, it may not have all the bells and whistles, but the Impala SS is all the better for it. As a daily driver, there's less to go wrong. You can throw the family in, load up the huge trunk and set off towards the horizon. Honestly, who needs a flashy crossover?

Related: Why The Infiniti Q70 Was An Underrated Midsize Luxury Sedan

1 It's Still Fast Today

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When compared to today's performance-orientated cars, the Impala SS' figures look a little weak. But that's on paper. Out in the real world, the big Chevy can still go toe-to-toe with younger rivals. As no one really lives in a world where daily quarter-mile runs are a thing.

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As living proof that the Impala SS can still bring it, one outran the Oklahoma police for over 30 minutes. That's a 1996 Impala SS beating a helicopter and several pursuit units. The driver was seventeen. As the old saying goes, it was the car, definitely all down to the car.