Poor Eagle. Dodge and Plymouth get sporty and attractive Neons, while Eagle must make do with the Mitsubishi-built Summit. We don't think that the Summit is a bad car or anything, but its styling looks a little milque toasty next to its well-groomed cousins.

The Coupe, however, can be turned into a slick little performer when it's equipped with the ESi Package. The addition of alloy wheels rounds out this not-bad looking coupe and the 113-horsepower engine can move its 2200 pounds with alacrity.

The Eagle Summit Sedans are flying with clipped wings when they compete against compact sedans from Chevrolet and Ford. Once again, the car is competent, but invisible in this market. Nothing about the Summit sedan stands out, and its relatively high cost, due to the rising yen, makes this car impractical for those who are shopping for a value-priced compact.

Summits are decent cars, and the ESi coupe is a pretty good value; optioned out it costs under $14,000 and delivers a good time. Steer away from the Summit sedan if possible. Better deals are available down the road at a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge dealer.

A cross between a mini minivan and a mid-size station wagon, the Summit Wagon is a direct descendant of the Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista from the late Eighties. Mitsubishi pioneered the mini minivan concept nearly a decade ago, when it's funky wagon was first distributed through Chrysler dealerships. The Colt Vista became a minor cult favorite with active families because of its versatility and reliability.

In 1992, Mitsubishi followed up with this little number, and again offered Chrysler the opportunity to distribute a version at Jeep-Eagle stores. Lacking the four conventionally-opening side doors that the Colt Vista had, the Summit Wagon makes do with a sliding right side door and a tailgate. Available with all-wheel drive, the Summit Wagon plays many roles for its owner. With the rear seats folded, it can haul a week's worth of camping gear to your favorite site. Or, with the rear seat in place, it comfortably seats five passengers and a generous amount of cargo. The Summit Wagon is at once a minivan, sport utility and midsize sedan.

Unfortunately, not many buyers seem to want such a versatile vehicle. Mitsubishi canceled its versions of these wagons last year due to lackluster sales, and Eagle is expected to do the same soon. Changes for 1996 are limited to color and fabric changes. There are several mini minivans similar to the Summit in size and concept due on the market soon; one of them is already here, and it's available at your local Honda dealer. We think the Summit Wagon is a far better value than the Odyssey, but test drive both to be sure it's right for you.

1996 Highlights

Nothing changes for the Mitsubishi-built Summit except a new choice of paint colors. The Summit wagon, a cross between a sedan and a minivan, gets new colors and seat fabrics.

Scorecard

Overall	undefined / 5

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 1996 Eagle Summit.

Average user rating: 4.0 stars

1 total reviews

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4 star reviews: 100%

3 star reviews: 0%

2 star reviews: 0%

1 star reviews: 0%

Most helpful consumer reviews

3.5/5 stars, GOTALEMON

MN.woman, 08/04/2004

DL 4dr Wagon

BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAD PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. LOTS OF RATTLING. THE HORN WOULDN'T WORK. BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TWO TIMES. THE GAS CAP LOCK STICKS AND I'VE HAD TO GET HELP AT GAS STATIONS BEFORE PUMPING. WATER PUMP REPLACED, REPLACED THERMOSTAT,MANY OTHER SMALL PROBLEMS

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Features & Specs

Trim

Base MSRP: N/A

MPG & Fuel: 28 City / 35 Hwy / 31 Combined; Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gal. capacity

Seating: 0 seats

Drivetrain: Type: front wheel drive; Transmission: 5-speed manual

Engine: Inline 4 cylinder; Horsepower: 92 hp @ 6000 rpm; Torque: 93 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Basic Warranty: N/A

Dimensions: Length: 171.1 in. / Height: 51.6 in. / Width: 66.1 in.; Curb Weight: 2085 lbs.; Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 10.5 cu.ft.

See all features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	Not Rated
Driver	3 / 5
Passenger	3 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	Not Rated
Driver	Not Rated
Passenger	Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	Not Rated
Back Seat	Not Rated
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	Not Rated
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	Not Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test	0

FAQ

Is the Eagle Summit a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 1996 Summit both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Eagle Summit fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Summit gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Summit has 10.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Eagle Summit. Learn more

Is the Eagle Summit reliable?

To determine whether the Eagle Summit is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Summit. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Summit's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 1996 Eagle Summit a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 1996 Eagle Summit is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 1996 Summit is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more

How much should I pay for a 1996 Eagle Summit?

The least-expensive 1996 Eagle Summit is the 1996 Eagle Summit ESi 2dr Coupe. Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $0.

Other versions include:

Learn more

What are the different models of Eagle Summit?

If you're interested in the Eagle Summit, the next question is, which Summit model is right for you? Summit variants include DL 2dr Coupe, and ESi 2dr Coupe. For a full list of Summit models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

More about the 1996 Eagle Summit

Used 1996 Eagle Summit Overview

The Used 1996 Eagle Summit is offered in the following submodels: Summit Sedan, Summit Coupe, Summit Wagon. Available styles include DL 4dr Wagon, DL 2dr Coupe, ESi 4dr Sedan, LX 4dr Sedan, ESi 2dr Coupe, 4dr Wagon AWD, and LX 4dr Wagon.

What do people think of the 1996 Eagle Summit?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the Used 1996 Eagle Summit and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the Used 1996 Summit 4.0 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the Used 1996 Summit.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1996 Eagle Summit and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1996 Summit featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

What's a good price for a New Used 1996 Eagle Summit?

Used 1996 Eagle Summit DL 2dr Coupe

The Used 1996 Eagle Summit DL 2dr Coupe can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $10,625. The average price paid for a new Used 1996 Eagle Summit DL 2dr Coupe is trending $9,921 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $9,921 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $704.

The average savings for the Used 1996 Eagle Summit DL 2dr Coupe is 93.4% below the MSRP.

Used 1996 Eagle Summit ESi 2dr Coupe

The Used 1996 Eagle Summit ESi 2dr Coupe can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $11,689. The average price paid for a new Used 1996 Eagle Summit ESi 2dr Coupe is trending $10,916 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.

Edmunds members save an average of $10,916 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $773.

The average savings for the Used 1996 Eagle Summit ESi 2dr Coupe is 93.4% below the MSRP.

Which used 1996 Eagle Summits are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1996 Eagle Summit for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1996 Eagle Summit.

Can't find a new 1996 Eagle Summits you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a new Eagle for sale - 4 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $8,220.

Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

Should I lease or buy a 1996 Eagle Summit?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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Used 1996 Eagle Summit

Edmunds' Expert Review

Vehicle overview