1996 Chevy Lumina Minivan Review
Price Estimate: $516 - $820

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Last year for this van. A 3.4-liter V6 good for 180 horsepower replaces standard and optional V6 engines from last year. Air conditioning, seven-passenger seating and an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission are standard.
For sale nearby
1 listings
- 101,980 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 17 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- Kindred Auto Sales (1,782 mi away)
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Lynnwood, WA
Visit Kindred Auto Sales online to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 4**-9**-3*** today to schedule your test drive.No credit. Bad credi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GNDU06E8TT124410
Stock: 2042
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-31-2025
Vehicle overview
Not quite so dramatic or futuristic-looking as it used to be, Chevy's front-drive minivan never really rivaled the sales-leading Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, and the latest rendition of those two champs are proving unbeatable. Like the similar--but more costly--Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Trans Sport, the strangely-shaped Lumina never quite caught hold in the marketplace.
Fiberglass-like plastic body panels, bonded to a steel space frame, mean no rust worries. Acceleration is outstanding with the new standard 180-horsepower, 3.4-liter V6 engine, not only from a standing start but when merging and passing. The Lumina is much quicker than one would expect. Upshifts are quick and barely discernible with the electronically controlled four-speed automatic.
Driving the Lumina Minivan takes some getting used to. Most drivers can't see the front end for parking, and even after you're accustomed to it, the vast, steep windshield seems odd every time you step inside. Even though the extra windshield pillars don't impede much of the view, large triangular panes on the side can be trouble in bad weather, lacking wipers or defrosters.
Occupants enjoy pleasant seating and a comfortable ride--a bit floaty and boatlike at times, but more like a ship that's moored securely. The van absorbs bumps capably, almost gliding past a lot of them. For a vehicle of this size and weight, too, the Lumina maneuvers with some dispatch. A driver's airbag and antilock braking are standard. Traction assist is optional. In keeping with Chevy's family focus, integral child seats are available. Storage space actually is minimal unless seats are folded down or, better yet, removed. A small glovebox is compensated for by lots of auxiliary storage spots, including a dashboard recess.
New to the standard equipment list for 1996 is air conditioning, seven-passenger seating, and an uplevel acoustical package. Extended maintenance schedules for the new 3.4-liter V6 make owning a Lumina Minivan easier.
Chrysler is still the standard of comparison, but the GM minis are stronger contenders than ever. One could hardly ask for more on a long trip: comfort, easy handling--and most people quickly get used to that enormous front glass. Next fall, a new Chevrolet minivan debuts, called the Venture. It will be constructed of steel, will sport more conservative and attractive styling, and will offer a left-side sliding door. Finally Chevy dealers will have a minivan that can compete head-to-head with the Chrysler vans. We suggest you wait that extra twelve months.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Indiana
$200/mo for Lumina Minivan Base
Lumina Minivan Base
vs
$156/mo
Avg. Compact Minivan
See Edmunds pricing data
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Chevrolet Lumina Minivan Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Nice van
3.88 out of 5 starsjazzsegue, 06/07/2002
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3dr Minivan
We've owned several vans over the
years and use them pretty hard in our
antiques business. The Lumina is
far superior to the Caravan we had
(I'd not own one of those again if it
was gifted to me - BAD experience).
The Lumina is right up there with our
old VW Vanagon, but much more
stylish and, yes, has power to go up
hills and air conditioning! We like
this vehicle, … have friends who own
them and would recommend it as a
good mini van option for someone
considering purchase. We bought
ours as a lease-return with 25K on it
and it is now at 80K .. mostly all
trouble free.
Best car I ever owned
4.88 out of 5 starsbill, 03/06/2005
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3dr Minivan
I have owned this mini van since it was new. I am currently considering a new vehicle. I am researching the same car. This car has done everything I have asked of it and then some. It is an extremely versitile vehicle, from hauling 7 people to piles of lumber with seats removed. This car has never left me stranded and the only reason I am considering a new one is mileage.
Excellent Van
4.38 out of 5 starsMike loves , 12/07/2002
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3dr Minivan
This van is an all around great family
van!
satisfied owner
3.5 out of 5 starsamigo, 09/10/2002
1996 Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3dr Minivan
other than noisy windshield wipers no
negative experiences.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Minivan, so we've included reviews for other years of the Lumina Minivan since its last redesign.
1996 Lumina Minivan Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $200/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 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 – 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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