1996 Buick Skylark Review
Edmunds' Expert Review
What’s new
Styling changes inside and out this year. Dual airbags are new, as are three-point seatbelts mounted to the B-pillar. A new twin-cam engine replaces the 2.3-liter Quad 4, and automatic transmissions include traction control. Air conditioning, a rear window defroster and a tilt wheel are now standard. Long-life engine components round out the long list of improvements.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Buick Skylark Olympic Gold 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Vehicle overview
Give Buick's styling department credit for trying something new. Too bad it didn't work very well. The Skylark's funky curves, creases, bulges and sharp edges inside and out combined to create quite a jarring spectacle. The result? The car was found more often at your local Avis lot than in private driveways.
This year, Buick tones the Skylark down. Front styling is far more conservative, and stylists have done what they could with the rear end. Side moldings are subdued, and now sweep front to rear less dramatically. Inside, the interior has been redone, and looks far more contemporary than last year's bizarre arrangement. Dual airbags are available for the first time, and seatbelts are now anchored to the door pillar rather than the door itself. Combined with a new standard engine, a 2.4-liter twin-cam good for 150 horsepower, and a revised antilock brake system, the Skylark has made a quantum leap in marketability.
Complementing the styling and safety improvements are four new exterior colors and two new interior hues. Air conditioning, tilt steering column, and a rear window defogger are now standard equipment. Wheelcovers and alloy wheels have been restyled. Traction control comes standard this year, and a new four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission replaces last year's standard three-speed. As if all this wasn't enough, a Passlock theft-deterrent system comes on every Skylark.
Until 1996, we found the Skylark to be an aberration, offering little value in the compact class. This year, we've got to change our tune. The Skylark is likely the most improved model for 1996, not counting the radically redesigned Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. We're impressed with this effort from Buick, and think it deserves a look.
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Buick Skylark.
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
Good car
8 Years of Headaches!!!
Takes a beating
It Never Dies
1996 Skylark Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $187/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1996 Buick Skylark info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid 2021 Review
- Ford Ecosport 2021 Review
- Ford Edge 2021 Review
- Ford Ecosport 2020 Review
- Ford Edge 2020 Review
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Audi e-tron GT
- 2025 Ford Bronco News
- Mclaren Artura
- 2023 MINI Convertible
- 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz News
- M X4
- 2025 Audi Q7 News
- 2024 ALPINA XB7
- 2024 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
Research other models of Buick
- Buick Envista
- 2023 Buick Envision
- Buick Encore GX
- 2023 Buick Encore GX
- Buick Envision
- Enclave SUV
- 2023 Buick Enclave
Other models
- Used Infiniti G35 in Whittier, CA
- Used BMW I4 in Vero Beach, FL
- Used Porsche Cayenne-Coupe in Olney, MD
- New Volvo Xc40-Recharge for Sale in Hayward, CA
- Used Audi Q4-Sportback-E-Tron in Selden, NY
- Used Honda Passport in Tumwater, WA
- Used Toyota Avalon-Hybrid in Elk Grove Village, IL
- New Kia Forte for Sale in Wappingers Falls, NY
- New Toyota Sienna for Sale in Mountain Home, AR
- New Chevrolet Express-Cargo for Sale in Altadena, CA