1996 Subaru Impreza Review
1996 Subaru Impreza Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The formerly optional 2.2-liter engine is standard across the board, except in the new budget-minded Brighton AWD Coupe. A new grille accompanies the bigger engine, and a five-speed is available as well.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Sedan AWD 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 $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$190/mo for Impreza L
Impreza L
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Subaru built a solid reputation for itself in the Seventies building inexpensive (and built to stay that way) four-wheel drive passenger cars. The company enjoyed success in the Northeastern and Northwestern U.S., providing people with reliable transportation that could thwart most attempts by Mother Nature to keep them from arriving at their destinations. Aside from a major rusting habit and offbeat styling, Subarus kept loyal owners happy.
Then Subaru decided it wanted a bigger piece of the auto market pie. The Impreza was originally conceived to battle the Ford Escorts, Toyota Corollas and Chevy Cavaliers that sold so well to young adults. A zippy ad campaign touting the Impreza as What to Drive alienated traditional Sube buyers and turned off the young adults it was supposed to appeal to. Sales of the Impreza were less than successful, and Subaru scrambled to find a solution.
Wonder of wonders, the company has decided to reacquaint itself with its legend. Subaru is concentrating on all-wheel drive cars again, and is emphasizing AWD in every ad, article and brochure you can lay your hands on. The Impreza is available with AWD in coupe, sedan and wagon form. Traditional front-wheel drive editions are also on the roster.
For 1996, Subaru has banished the anemic 1.8-liter engine from most of the lineup, infusing nearly all Imprezas with the 2.2-liter engine found in the Legacy. Formerly found only in uplevel Impreza LX models, the 2.2-liter package includes a new grille, a rear stabilizer bar, and wider tires. For the first time in the Impreza, buyers can opt for a five-speed transmission with the 2.2-liter engine.
Other changes include the addition of power locks and windows to upper trim levels, and the addition of a new AWD Brighton Coupe, a budget four-wheeler saddled with the old 1.8-liter engine and skinny 14-inch tires.
Overall, we find much to like about the Impreza. The AWD LX Coupe we examined sported nice styling, attractive alloy wheels, and an ergonomically-correct cabin. The Coupe was new to the Impreza lineup for 1995. We found the LX Coupe to be a stylish, sporty all-weather transpo device.
Imprezas also come in sedan and station body styles. The wagon has a small cargo area, partially due to the steeply raked rear window. Impreza prices start near $13,000 and can top out over the $20,000 mark. That's too pricey for a compact, and pricing is one of this car's problems.
Other quibbles include a cramped rear seat, narrow front seats, ugly plastic wheelcovers on the Outback wagon, and a funky smell in all the new Subarus we've encountered. Add in cost considerations, and we can only recommend the Impreza in AWD form to those who live in remote snow-bound areas of the country.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Subaru Impreza.
5 star(62%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
42 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.88 out of 5 stars
Good little pizza car
groovydoovy, 10/14/2010
1995 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
Have loved this car for 6 years. Drove it 5 days a week for 3 years as a pizza delivery car. I like to drive at high RPM and as fast as possible around corners and over speed bumps so needless to say this car has taken a beating. That said only thing it needed to keep it going was gas and oil changes and of course brakes. At this point the struts are pretty wasted, but other than that … it continues to cruise along like it did when I bought it 6 years ago. I love that my car can get up and go every time there is a snow storm and everyone else is left stuck on the side of the road. This is a reliable car that takes a beating. Just like I like a car to be.
4.5 out of 5 stars
One Tough Set Of Wheels
GF, 07/03/2003
1996 Subaru Impreza L 2dr Coupe AWD
This car is great. I have owned it
for 7 years and it has continued to be
a reliable, fun to drive car. It's no
RS or WRX, but the basic foundation is
there. This, combined with the AWD make
this car a blast to drive hard into
corners and accelerate out of curves
with grip that sticks like superglue.
This car absolutely loves bad weather.
Snow and rain are simply no … match for
the incredible AWD. Bottom line: I
love knowing that this car will get me
where I need to go safely, and
comfortably. The AWD is confidence
inspiring. You really do feel safe in
this car, no matter what the weather.
How many cars in this price class can
you say that about?
5 out of 5 stars
Great car
yup, 09/17/2007
1995 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Sedan
My dad bought the car new in 95, never had to replace anything except for regular tune-up things like brake pads, spark plugs, etc. It has 208,000 miles on it now, still runs like it did years ago. I have redlined this car since I have had it, I have put this car through a lot of rough driving and it has held up better than any car I have ever seen. I highly recommend this car.
4.38 out of 5 stars
My Little Tank
Jackie, 07/21/2009
1996 Subaru Impreza L 2dr Coupe AWD
This car has been so reliable and hard working. The basic upkeep is all it has ever needed. When it snowed and the Mustang Cobra couldn't make it out of the driveway and the Mitsubishi Mirage slip, slided away.. the trusty Impreza just plowed on through! We purchased the basic, basic model... no frills and it just keeps on going. Always getting us where we need and want to go safely and … with a minimum of fuss and bother. I am now looking to replace my 2001 Mitsubishi with a new Impreza... although I will go a little heavier on the "extras" this time.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Subaru Impreza, so we've included reviews for other years of the Impreza since its last redesign.
1996 Impreza Highlights
Sedan
L
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $190/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Safety
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 – 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
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