Chevrolet SS Test Drive: Wonderfully Anachronistic

This article was originally published on MSNAutos.com

The Chevrolet SS is all about hedonistic motoring, as the burly Corvette V8 under the hood is quick to attest. It might come as a surprise, considering parent company General Motors’ rocky past, but the SS feels something like the American equivalent of a BMW 550i from behind the wheel. That’s in terms of performance, as well as comfort and refinement. 

This performance sedan is just pure fun to drive and boasts an upscale feel. Sure, the SS—which gets dinged with a $1,300 gas guzzler tax—is not as powerful, nor as fuel efficient, as the vaunted German sedan. But the SS also costs nearly $20,000 less.

The point here is that to simply be able to compare a Chevrolet sedan to a BMW is remarkable. Who would have thought that possible 10—or even five—years ago?

The well-respected Pontiac G8—predecessor to the Chevy SS, which sold for two model years before GM killed off the Pontiac brand—didn’t rise to that level. But the SS is a much more sophisticated car.

It is based on a new version of the Commodore sedan from GM’s Australian Holden division, whereas the Pontiac G8 was based on the earlier Commodore. On top of that, the SS has had a lot more fine-tuning than the G8 ever did. “From a dynamics point of view, it’s quite a different feel,” says Steven Manson, program engineering manager for Holden, who helped develop the SS. “We’ve come a long way in steering feel and ride comfort.”

Model Lineup

Chevrolet is offering only one version of the SS and it is fully loaded—comparable to the Holden Commodore SSV Redline, but with more power. 

The $45,770 base price is hefty for a Chevy. (It includes a $995 delivery charge and the $1,300 gas guzzler tax.) 

But the price is fair for what the SS offers:,lots of power, a sophisticated, rear-wheel-drive chassis with almost perfect weight distribution, and high-end components like a braking system from Italian brake specialist Brembo.

Then there are the myriad electronic goodies that usually cost extra on other Chevys—including a heads-up display, eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, and advanced voice recognition, with Siri Eyes Free for Apple iPhone. A sunroof for $900 and a full-size spare for $500 are the only two options. 

Some say the design is boring. But the visual appeal of the SS lies in its attractive proportions—the long hood, wide stance and cabin pushed to the rear—rather than styling gimmicks, which is something it has in common with European sport sedans.

Under the Hood

Some refer to the Chevrolet SS as a four-door Corvette with good reason. Its LS3 V8 powerhouse comes straight from the C6 Vette. 

Though the SS is a heavy car (3,975 pounds), the engine’s 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque make it feel quick. Acceleration is impressive: 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds. 

The only transmission available is a Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic gearbox. It can be shifted manually with paddles on the steering wheel and has a sport mode that keeps the revs up for you if you don’t feeling shifting yourself during spirited driving.

Estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg city/21 mpg highway for a combined average of 17 mpg overall, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Inner Space

The interior of the 2014 Chevrolet SS is much like the exterior: tasteful, restrained. The vibe is a cross between upscale sedan and rowdy muscle car. 

The stitched leather upholstery and faux-suede inserts on the seats, dashboard and doors feel high-end. Maserati and Porsche charge big bucks for upgrading to faux suede—the SS makes it standard.

Leather on the sides of the beefy steering wheel is perforated, right where your hands grip most often. This kind of subtle, premium touch helps elevate the character of the Chevy SS. 

Controls on the center console are a mixed bag in terms of functionality. Chevy has included plenty of useful buttons and knobs for climate control and infotainment functions, and it did so without making the console appear cluttered. But the menu system can be slow to respond to the touch, and some basic functions, like browsing a list of radio stations, require jumping through several menus. Also, the main navigation layout isn’t very intuitive.

Chevy got the 10-way power-adjustable front seats right. They remain comfortable after hours of driving. Head room is plentiful, and in the rear seat, leg room is absolutely expansive. Even the rear center seat, often cramped and uncomfortable in other cars, is amazingly accommodating.  

On the Road

The 2014 Chevrolet SS is the kind of car you just want to keep driving. 

The LS3 V8 engine is the centerpiece of the whole experience. It is responsive, sonorous and a delight to rev with the smooth, precise throttle pedal. A bit more power would be nice, though. It would give this nearly-two-ton beast more urgency under wide-open throttle.

The interior is so quiet that, when the windows are closed, it’s hard to hear the luscious exhaust blast on startup. Thankfully, the engine’s sultry sound permeates the cabin under acceleration.

Where the Chevy SS really shines is in its balance and poise. This car flows through turns with much more finesse than the brutish Dodge Charger SRT8. 

There is a sense of polish and sophistication in its every move. Yet it’s a hoot for hooligans, too. The chassis setup lets you play with the car in corners. Dive halfway into a long turn, mash the gas pedal a little harder and the tail hangs out, but only just a bit. That long wheelbase and wide track help keep it planted.

Engineers spent a lot of time tuning the electrically assisted power steering and it shows in how well the SS responds to input. The weight is just about perfect, not too light, not too heavy. 

Chevy opted not to offer an adjustable suspension on the SS to save cost and complexity. While this definitely bucks the current trend, there is something to be said for not having to fiddle with chassis settings. 

Plus, the suspension tuning on the SS is so good, that an adjustable suspension system almost seems superfluous. I say “almost” because the car does transmit short, sharp impacts into the cabin, which can get fatiguing on rough roads. 

Really, the only area where the Chevy SS is held back is with the six-speed automatic transmission. It is very smooth whether in normal or “sport” mode. Where it lags is in shift times. Flicking the paddles behind the steering wheel does give the driver more control, but conventional automatic transmissions such as the one in the Chevy SS simply can’t match the speed and precision of so-called automated manual gearboxes. 

On the other hand, a conventional automatic operates smoother in normal driving than automated manuals, do. And for the type of driver that will buy the SS, that is an important consideration, Manson says. 

A manual transmission would be nice. But who are we kidding? Precious few buyers agree anymore.

Right For You?

Admittedly, the Chevy SS and the BMW 550i are not likely to get cross-shopped. But the SS is a no-brainer for Chevy fans who love muscle cars like the Camaro, yet need the practicality of a sedan. 

Does it match a BMW 550i’s luxury and refinement? No. But it certainly offers near-luxury levels of fit, finish and features. And its performance and handling capabilities are in the same league as European sport sedans costing much more. 

Anyone considering a Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8, which are this car’s most direct competitors, would do well to also look at the SS. Like its two domestic rivals, the SS will be sold in limited numbers (5,000 or less in its first year). 

If a cushy ride and great fuel economy are a priority, then the SS is probably not for you. But it does offer an acceptable compromise in ride quality for those who value excellent handling dynamics. We averaged 17.5 miles per gallon on one all-out jaunt. Not bad for such a performance beast.

Pros

Handles and performs like a four-door Corvette; fit and finish; quiet, spacious and well-appointed interior; rare.

Cons

Traditional six-speed automatic holds it back; ride can get jarring on rough roads; chugs fuel.

Bottom Line

The appeal of the 2014 Chevrolet SS is not in the numbers on a spec sheet. The appeal is in its special blend of practicality and fun. Once you account for that, the SS is hard to beat for the money.