1996 Chevy Lumina Review
1996 Chevy Lumina Review
View more photos
Used Lumina for sale
Appraise This CarSee 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.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The ultimate family sedan is now available with an integrated child safety seat. Driver and passenger get their own climate controls. LS models offer available leather, and four-wheel disc brakes when equipped with the 3.4-liter V6.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS 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 $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded in Florida.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Florida
$208/mo for Lumina LS
Lumina LS
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
While in college, one of our younger staffers attended the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. The 1990 Chevrolet Lumina was displayed at the show in coupe and sedan form, and this young man thought the vehicle was some kind of funky, ill-conceived concept car, like those oddly shaped safetymobiles created during the 1970s. Few showgoers even seemed to notice the Lumina as he inspected the angular styling, all the while wondering if GM had missed the boat on Ford's success with the Taurus. When the Lumina hit the streets for the 1990 model year, he couldn't help but laugh every time one passed him on the street. Amazingly, the Lumina went on to become a bestseller.
These days, a redesigned Lumina prowls Chevy showrooms. It is a vast improvement over the first-generation model, offering dual airbags housed in a modern, straight-forward dashboard. The exterior shape is modern and, dare we say, attractive. Even more amazing, the Lumina performs well, although the feel of the car really doesn't transmit any inkling of performance capability.
Still, the numbers are there, and when equipped with the optional 3.4-liter V6 the Lumina is quicker than rivals from Chrysler and Ford. Braking and cornering abilities are not extraordinary for the class, but the Lumina nonetheless keeps itself planted to terra firma with little fanfare. Good news on the performance front from Chevy boss Jim Perkins; he announced that he wants a Lumina Super Sport on the racks for 1997, equipped with many of the Monte Carlo Z34's go-fast goodies. With the impending demise of the Impala SS, it seems a good bet that the Lumina SS will see the light of day.
Chevy engineers claim the Lumina is the result of intensive consumer clinics, and the car was designed in accordance with the research findings. Styling was not a strong issue among sedan buyers, a point well proven by the popularity of the previous-generation Lumina. Fortunately, Chevy saw fit to give the Lumina a tidy, attractive look that is marred only by a somewhat characterless and protruding proboscis.
For 1996, Chevrolet again took the advice of its customers to refine the Lumina. Long life spark plugs and transmission fluid make the Lumina easier to own. An integrated child safety seat is a new option, and leather can be ordered on LS models. Dual climate controls make front seat occupants more comfortable, and a power sunroof joins the options list. On the LS, four-wheel disc brakes are available with the optional 3.4-liter V6 engine.
With a competent car and a pricing structure that undercuts Ford and Chrysler, Chevy's Lumina offers a fine blend of function, value and performance. This is one GM product that was done right the first time.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Chevrolet Lumina.
5 star(27%)
4 star(61%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
51 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Incredible Car
Jeff, 10/21/2010
1996 Chevrolet Lumina 4dr Sedan
Most reliable vehicle I have ever had. Bought it at 90,000 miles in Jan 2003 and have 317,000 miles on it now. Have replaced transmission, water pump and air conditioner in last seven years. Purchase price was $4000 and repairs have come to $3800. A fantastic investment for 227,000 miles of transportation.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Keeps going and going
Travis Wynn, 03/10/2006
1996 Chevrolet Lumina 4dr Sedan
This is the most reliable car I've ever had. Have 100k on it and it still has factory battery, never needed any major repair, well has never needed any repair except for the intake gasket. Good on fuel for its class. GM should consider make more cheap reliable cars like the Lumina.
3.75 out of 5 stars
It's reliable
Stephanie, 06/01/2008
1996 Chevrolet Lumina 4dr Sedan
Although I bought a gently used 2004 Camry today, I am sad to say goodbye to my Lumina. It has been an excellent car to me. It's no longer aesthetically pleasing, there's lots of rust, dings, and dents. But it has never failed to start and get me where I was going even in two feet of Ohio snow. During this extensive ownership period, beyond regular maintenance I've only had to replace a … water pump, an alternator, and an EGR valve. None of which resulted in a breakdown, just poor performance until it was fixed. Oh, the power steering pump is noisy, but still works fine. I'd recommend this car to anyone as a used vehicle. Still seeing lots of them around. Still strong after 135,000 miles.
2.38 out of 5 stars
Absolute Lemon
Al S, 09/22/2008
1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS 4dr Sedan
This has got to be the worst car experience ever. We bought this car which was a cream puff. Low original miles on what was verified a local use car or "grocery getter" The car had about 35000 miles and looked and sounded smooth as silk. The first week of our owning the car showed what a disaster this car was. In that time we spent $900 for wheel bearing, directional switch, … ignition lock cylinder failure. Two years later, intake manifold gasket failure ($400). That led to the cam shaft bearing failure which meant new engine ($3000). Now after all said and done, a P1870 transmission component slip (possible new trans?) Just one bad design after another! Goodbye American cars!
1996 Lumina Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $208/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 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
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- 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
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1996 Chevrolet Lumina info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Hyundai Veloster 2016
- Used Kia Soul 2022
- Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2014
- Used Subaru Crosstrek 2022
- Used Lincoln Continental 2020 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
- Q4 E Tron Range
- Cla Class 45 Amg
- 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer News
- 2023 Volvo XC60
- BMW 4 Series 2024
- 2025 Acura RDX News
- BMW X7 2023
- Genesis G90 2023
Research other models of Chevrolet
- 2024 Silverado 2500HD
- 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
- Chevrolet Traverse Limited 2024
- 2024 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2023 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2023 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Series
- 2024 Camaro
- 2023 Silverado 2500HD
- 2023 Corvette
- Chevy Express Vans
Other models
- Used Lexus LS-430 in Iselin, NJ
- Used Lexus Is-350 in Huntsville, TX
- New Toyota Gr-Corolla for Sale in Temple Hills, MD
- New Hyundai Venue for Sale in Hurricane, WV
- Used Dodge Caravan in Santa Barbara, CA
- Used Cadillac Ct4-V-Blackwing in Reynoldsburg, OH
- Used Lincoln MKC in Naperville, IL
- Used BMW 5-Series in New Port Richey, FL
- New Nissan Pathfinder for Sale in Shippensburg, PA
- Used Dodge Grand-Caravan in Minneapolis, MN