We’ve had the chance to put the 1996 Buick Skylark Gran Sport sedan throughits paces in Chicagoland after spending time with it on a preview in northern Michigan over the summer.
Skylark performs even better in the real world than in preview land.
The 3.1-liter, 155-h.p., V-6 is peppy and fairly quiet and the recommended choice over the base 2.4-liter, 150-h.p., 4 that is new for 1996 and replaces the 2.3-liter Quad Four.
More good news, a 4-speed automatic replaces the 3-speed automatic that hadbeen a Skylark staple for too long. The mileage rating is a most pleasant 19 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway.
The availability of dual air bags is a big plus especially because they areoffered along with ABS. Another plus: traction control is standard.
This is definitely a vehicle to check out for those looking for a compact luxury sedan for less than $20,000. The Gran Sport starts at $17,710.
New standard features include air conditioning, tilt steering, rear window defogger, delayed wipers and visor vanity mirrors. Notable changes include repositioning the seat belts onto the door pillars from the doors for 1996 andmoving the light control off the steering wheel stalk and onto a dial on the dash.
A big plus is the new nose or grille design, much tamer than the 1995 version in which the grille was overbearingly aggressive with the chrome looking like bridgework popping out between two fenders.
Buick won’t say how much longer the compact Skylark will be offered, but officials note that the 1997 midsize Century coming out in spring 1997 could become Buick’s entry-level model as GM divisions trim the number of models to simplify production and marketing.
