Used 1997 Subaru SVX
Pros & Cons
- All-wheel drive, distinctive styling, one of few luxury sports coupes left on market, great handling
- Distinctive styling, average acceleration for this class
Edmunds' Expert Review
Vehicle overview
Subaru has never been what you'd call a conventional car company. When 18-foot-long V8-powered behemoth station wagons roamed America, Subaru was busy marketing tiny, ugly, four-wheel-drive wagons primarily to consumers in the Northeast, Rocky Mountains, and Northwest. While the inline four-cylinder engine became the compact class standard, Subaru installed horizontally opposed flat fours in its models. All the while, Subaru retained character in the styling of its wares, bucking the jelly-bean look for a more squared-off wedge thing. The Subaru XT Coupe, about which nothing was common, became Subaru's first attempt at marketing a sports coupe. The SVX replaced that oddity in 1992.
The first thing you notice about the SVX is the out-there design. Much more attractive than the XT Coupe, the SVX is an interesting blend of curves, bulges and angles which result in a busy, overstyled car that looks too thick in the waist. Captain Kirk likely would have found the styling pleasing, but we don't. A new body-color grille arrives for 1997, and combined with cool alloy wheels, the SVX is at least getting more attractive with age. For 1997, those alloys are shod with slightly taller, slightly narrower tires. The split side glass is a neat concept that allows you to drive with the window down in a rainstorm without worrying about getting a wet arm or mussing your hair, but we suspect that in the real world of varying-height drive-thru service windows, it doesn't work well.
Inside, the SVX looks more like a luxury coupe than a sports car. Cloth covers the seats in the L; LSi models get leather hides. The swept dash is full of oddities, such as the trick stereo cover. Comfortable chairs provide surprisingly good outward visibility, but the rear view is somewhat compromised by the big decklid spoiler.
So why should you buy this Subaru? It's relatively speedy, comfortable and with standard all-wheel drive, is one of the few sports cars made for all-weather driving. Fully loaded at less than $37,000, the SVX gives decent bang for the buck, and makes a strong statement about its owner. If your wacky personality matches the offbeat SVX, you've just found the car of your dreams.
1997 Highlights
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 1997 Subaru SVX.
Trending topics in reviews
- handling & steering
- maintenance & parts
- fuel efficiency
- driving experience
- appearance
- safety
- transmission
- reliability & manufacturing quality
Most helpful consumer reviews
I have owned 2 SVX's, and they look awesome, but I will not own another one because on both of these cars, the transmission went out, and it's EXTREMELY expensive to fix it. I found out that this transmission problem is typical on these cars...what a shame. If I had an Art Gallery, I'd have this car there...as long as it's not driven; it just looks good, but that's where it ends.
Buy and hold. These cars will put my grandkids through college and they are fun to drive. Only 640 97's sold in the US.
This is a great car. Everything from the automatic climate control to the 230 horsepower engine make this car a quality ride. While parts are slightly more expensive then most, it is a well built AWD car that screams excitment
This is the second SVX I have owned, and it is a total shame that Subaru stopped making this car. It has been excellent in every way. It has had no service needs other than scheduled service, is incredibly powerful and is great for merging onto the highways, yet for such power gets good gas mileage about 26.5 on the highway and 23.5 in town. I will never sell the car, I intend to keep it as a fun toy and hope that as it ages I can get parts. It handles like a dream and makes me feel safe on the road. It is best for smaller people, tall ones feel slightly cramped for head height but not leg room. If you can get your hands on a used one, you will never let it go.
Features & Specs
| LSi 2dr Coupe AWD N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 15 city / 22 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 230 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| L 2dr Coupe AWD N/A | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 15 city / 22 hwy |
| Seats 0 | |
| 4-speed automatic | |
| Gas | |
| 230 hp @ 5400 rpm |
Safety
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 Subaru SVX a good car?
Is the Subaru SVX reliable?
Is the 1997 Subaru SVX a good car?
How much should I pay for a 1997 Subaru SVX?
The least-expensive 1997 Subaru SVX is the 1997 Subaru SVX L 2dr Coupe AWD. Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $0.
Other versions include:
What are the different models of Subaru SVX?
More about the 1997 Subaru SVX
Used 1997 Subaru SVX Overview
The Used 1997 Subaru SVX is offered in the following submodels: SVX Coupe. Available styles include LSi 2dr Coupe AWD, and L 2dr Coupe AWD.
What do people think of the 1997 Subaru SVX?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 1997 Subaru SVX and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 1997 SVX 4.5 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 1997 SVX.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 1997 Subaru SVX and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 1997 SVX 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 1997 Subaru SVX?
Which 1997 Subaru SVXES 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) 1997 Subaru SVX for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap 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 1997 Subaru SVX.
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Find a new Subaru SVX for sale - 9 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $17,209.
Find a new Subaru for sale - 10 great deals out of 23 listings starting at $13,812.
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Should I lease or buy a 1997 Subaru SVX?
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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