You can think of this seemingly nondescript sedan as a stealth Corvette. It's a serious performance car cloaked in an innocuous exterior with the spacious and comfortable cabin of a conventional large sedan.
Developed by and built by Holden, GM's Australian division, the rear-wheel-drive SS comes just one way -- fully loaded. The car derives its power from a burbling 415-hp, 6.2-liter V8 adapted from the C6 Corvette. You won't buy this car for its fuel economy: we averaged just 17 mpg. But on a track, the SS will keep up with or surpass many sports cars and super sedans with its ferocious speed, athletic handling and fantastic brakes.
The ride is pretty firm, but it doesn't beat you up with an overly stiff suspension the way many high-performance cars do.
Nor is noise overbearing. The bark that clears the exhaust throat on startup announces its mission statement and the old-school rumble that accompanies any quick getaway is there for the asking. But a loaf around the neighborhood isn't going to blast the leaves off your neighbors' trees.
Performance aside, the SS is also an executive express par excellence. Inside, you'll find easy access, a sumptuous cockpit and a hospitable rear seat. Controls are simple to manage, replete with all of the modern electronic safety and communication goodies. Plus, the trunk holds enough luggage to sustain a lengthy family trek.
One obstacle the SS might find hard to negotiate is the Chevrolet brand is a little short on prestige; it's not what marketers like to call aspirational. Indeed, Chevrolet probably isn't high on anyone's list of luxury sports sedans. But for all of that brand-perception nonsense, the broad band of abilities makes the SS essentially a four-door Corvette without the pushy personality.