1971 Chevrolet Impala vs. 1978 Chevrolet Caprice
To start off, 1978 Chevrolet Caprice is newer by 7 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1971 Chevrolet Impala. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1971 Chevrolet Impala would be higher. At 5,002 cc (8 cylinders), 1978 Chevrolet Caprice is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1978 Chevrolet Caprice (129 HP @ 3200 RPM) has 19 more horse power than 1971 Chevrolet Impala. (110 HP @ 3800 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1978 Chevrolet Caprice should accelerate faster than 1971 Chevrolet Impala. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1971 Chevrolet Impala weights approximately 15 kg more than 1978 Chevrolet Caprice.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1978 Chevrolet Caprice (333 Nm @ 2000 RPM) has 77 more torque (in Nm) than 1971 Chevrolet Impala. (256 Nm @ 1600 RPM). This means 1978 Chevrolet Caprice will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1971 Chevrolet Impala. 1978 Chevrolet Caprice has automatic transmission and 1971 Chevrolet Impala has manual transmission. 1971 Chevrolet Impala will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1978 Chevrolet Caprice will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1971 Chevrolet Impala | 1978 Chevrolet Caprice | |
Make | Chevrolet | Chevrolet |
Model | Impala | Caprice |
Year Released | 1971 | 1978 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 4092 cc | 5002 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
Horse Power | 110 HP | 129 HP |
Engine RPM | 3800 RPM | 3200 RPM |
Torque | 256 Nm | 333 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1600 RPM | 2000 RPM |
Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Number of Seats | 5 seats | 4 seats |
Vehicle Weight | 1715 kg | 1700 kg |
Vehicle Length | 5600 mm | 5460 mm |
Vehicle Width | 2030 mm | 2020 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1370 mm | 1480 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 3100 mm | 2950 mm |