1996 Honda Accord Review
1996 Honda Accord Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
All 1996 Honda Accords get revised styling, featuring new taillights and bumper covers. Wagons have a new roof rack, while sedans boast a new pass-through ski sack.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Honda Accord EX 4dr Wagon 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$193/mo for Accord EX
Accord EX
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
The benchmark. The best-selling car in America. The highest resale value in its class. It needs a V6. These are all statements that have been made with regularity concerning the Accord. It is undoubtedly the most popular car in this country, despite what Ford (who includes fleet sales to such entities as rental car and government agencies in its sales totals for the Taurus) has claimed every year since 1992. The Accord won a loyal base of customers by offering sprightly performance, room for four, frugal fuel economy and a virtual guarantee that, if cared for properly, the Accord would not break.
Those qualities have made it the benchmark. It is consistently the best-selling car to regular retail customers like you. What about resale? The current issue of Edmund's Used Car Prices says that a 1991 Accord EX sedan is worth approximately 70 percent of its original value. Sure, the Accord is pretty pricey new, but the overall cost of ownership, when repairs, maintenance, and resale value are put into the equation, make it a bargain.
During the 1995 model year, the Accord sedan finally got a V6. However, it doesn't perform as well as some versions four-cylinder Accord. Why? Added weight, different tires, and an automatic transmission collaborate to make the Accord V6 slower and less nimble than a five-speed Accord EX. Additionally, critics find that the V6 powertrain is not ideally suited to the Accord, citing smooth but dull response from both the engine and transmission resulting in a bland character; decidedly out of tune with other Honda products. Hmmm...
For 1996, Honda has given the Accord some styling tweaks -- new taillights and bumper covers, along with revised grille treatments give the Accord a fresh look. Wagons get a roof rack, while sedans offer a new pass-through ski sack.
The Accord EX equipped with a VTEC engine is quick, frugal, and loaded with equipment. As an added bonus, it's fun to drive. And knowing that, in the end, the Accord will actually cost just half what the sticker reads makes the choice a no-brainer. The Accord is the definitive family sedan, coupe or wagon.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Honda Accord.
5 star(75%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
135 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Fun Car - Buy Accord not Camry
ernie_8000, 11/05/2011
1996 Honda Accord LX 4dr Sedan
1996 Accord LX (no VTEC) with over 235,000 miles. The car has been to Lake Tahoe, to LA and long distance trips (over 300 miles). car still runs really well (except engine is a bit louder than it was when new - which is understandable). Great chassis, ample seating for 5 (cars nowadays are too large). When driving highways, gets around 32 mpg. When primarily city, gets around 23 mpg.
5 out of 5 stars
Best car I've ever owned (and probably ever will)
Tails, 02/06/2016
1996 Honda Accord LX 4dr Sedan
My mom bought this car brand new in 1996, when I was 10 years old. This was the car I learned to drive in. It was always pretty reliable, but unfortunately the clear coat started to wear off pretty early, making the car rather ugly from the beginning. My mom handed it down to me when I was 20, and I still drive it today. It's 20 years old now as I write this in 2016, and has 311,000 … miles on the odometer. Still the original engine and auto transmission. Have never even changed the head gasket. I drive it every day, and at least a few times a year it makes a 4 to 8 hour round trip to the farther parts of the state. Has literally never broken down on me, the closest it has come to that was the starter hanging up, which I changed myself with an oem rebuilt one. The AC has broken a couple times, but it wasn't too hard to get it going again. You'd think the driver seat would have to be pretty worn and uncomfortable by now, but not at all. I have the cloth seats, and it's not even torn yet. Feels perfect still sitting on it. I changed all the coolant hoses in 2015 just to be safe, after one started to leak a little. I have the feeling this things not ready to die yet!
5 out of 5 stars
BEST car I've ever had. (I've had a few)
Joaquin Borromeo, 02/28/2016
1996 Honda Accord EX 4dr Sedan
This car will literally run forever with just minimal maintenance. Paid $3500 for my 96' Honda accord, now I'm graduating college I decided to sell it. I'm asking $3000 for it and I am confident that I can sell it for t his price. The car now has 166k miles on it but I am sure it can run all the way up to 300K plus plus miles.
5 out of 5 stars
Great Automobile
mlstove, 12/11/2010
1996 Honda Accord EX 2dr Coupe
Bought the car with 28K miles in 2000 and still drive this car daily with now 228K!!
In fact, the car went the past two years without anything but oil changes until it was time to replace the timing belt again.
It is amazing the clutch hasn't needed replaced, nor has any other major item engine wise other than a starter over the years.
CV joints went out at 180K, and the wheel bearings … are getting close now.
My wife drives and 07 sedan and my stock radio is a nicer system.
I think the brakes on this car are better than the 07!
And it survived a collision with a 6-point buck this year and all I needed was a headlight and a hood!
1996 Accord Highlights
Wagon
EX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $193/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 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 – OriginalAcceptable
- 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
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