1996 GMC Jimmy Review
Price Estimate: $571 - $927





+2
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
GMC's popular compact sport-utility gets an optional off-road package called Highrider, as well as an available five-speed transmission. Either of these are available on two-door models only. All Jimmys receive glow-in-the-day headlights and long-life engine coolant. Spark plugs last 100,000 miles. All-wheel drive, which became optional in mid-1995, continues. Conspicuously absent is a passenger airbag.
For sale near Naugatuck, CT
3 listings
- $999
- 121,589 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- Fallier Automotive (761 mi away)
- 4WD
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Located in Manitowoc, WI
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
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:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GKDT13W9T2546839
Stock: 1601
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-21-2025 - $5,995
- 139,041 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- OneStar Motors (1,954 mi away)
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Located in El Paso, TX
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:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1GKDT13W7T2545074
Stock: 545074
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-31-2025
Vehicle overview
Redesigned for 1995 from the ground up, along with its Chevrolet counterpart, this tough compact sport-utility from GM's truck division looks like a Blazer and drives like a tall car. Based on the Sonoma compact pickup, it's a big improvement over the archaic prior version. GMC aimed at boosts in ride quality, rigidity, handling and quietness. Result: an impressively talented machine.
Four-door styling is on the staid side, but two-doors are fastback-profiled with a distinctive side-window treatment. A Jimmy is comfortable, easy to handle, and fun to drive. Upgrade versions can contain plenty of poshness, but each rugged rendition looks and feels tough--a little more truck-like than the similar Blazer. An under-the-floor spare tire on four-doors increases cargo space. Headroom is immense, elbow space excellent. There's room for two in back; maybe three if you enjoy hearing comfort complaints while you drive, but the short seat feels hard and offers very little leg support. Basically, the back seat should be reserved for kiddies.
Though exceptionally sure-footed most of the time, a Jimmy can feel momentarily unstable and top-heavy in a sharp maneuver--but only if you forget what you're driving. On snowy pavement, you almost have to try hard to make a four-wheel-drive Jimmy skid. Whether maintaining traction while accelerating, or trying to recapture grip through a turn, 4WD delivers a strong feeling of confidence. New this year is a stout Highrider package than includes a raised suspension, big fat tires, and wider track. The Highrider is available only on two-door Jimmys.
If you don't care to switch between two- and four-wheel drive, a full-time 4WD Jimmy joined the lineup late last year. Four-wheel antilock braking helps haul the sport-ute to a prompt halt, and drivers face an airbag. A passenger side bag is still not available. Acceleration is strong from the standard 4300 Vortec V6 engine, and the smooth four-speed automatic suffers little lag when downshifting. A manual 'box is newly available only on two-door models.
Daytime running lights debut for 1996, and the V6 gets long-life coolant and spark plugs. A fuel cap tether keeps owners from losing their fuel cap, and the rear seatback latch is quieter and easier to use. Some dashboard graphics have been modified in an effort to make them easier to understand.
The hardest duty in Jimmy-shopping is deciding what to include. Suspension choices stretch from smooth to off-road. Expect some bounce from the Luxury Ride suspension, but it's compliant and responds quickly. Sport, comfort and touring decor packages are available. Then there's the huge option list to contend with. Overdo it, and the toll can zip skyward in a hurry, though this GMC represents better value than Oldsmobile's Bravada.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Connecticut
$227/mo for Jimmy SL
Jimmy SL
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
GMC Jimmy Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
I love my "Jimmy"!
4.88 out of 5 starsfrebeckil, 03/05/2009
1996 GMC Jimmy SLS 2dr SUV 4WD
I have 187,000+ miles on this Jimmy and now I am starting a few problem...ball joint, booster and I let the brakes go so now have to replace rotors. It has been one of the very best vehicles I've owned and it looks so nice, too. I love the small SUV feel, not boaty big. I have to face the fact that I will have to soon part with it and don't know what will be as good for that many … miles. Absolutely no major problems and the motor still carries a strong oil pressure.
Very Happy With My Jimmy SUV
4.75 out of 5 starsanthony, 04/01/2008
1996 GMC Jimmy SL 4dr SUV 4WD
I had to replace my lifters on my Jimmy after 7 years. And the check engine light always comes on, but they never find anything wrong with my SUV. Other then that, great American SUV. Would buy another one, very happy with my GMC Jimmy
Buy Toyota
2.63 out of 5 starsAPL, 05/14/2003
1996 GMC Jimmy SLT 4dr SUV 4WD
I bought this car from a GMC dealer
with extended warranty. the dealer
sucked. They refused to change any
parts. So I took the vehicle to a
private garage. Within the first year I
had to have the ABS brake sytem
replaced, the fuel gauge replaced then
the ball joints started to go. At
114000 miles I had to have the intake
gasket replaced, the mechanic said he's
never … seen a gasket deteriate like this
before. I used to buy toyota's and I
decided to try GMC my next SUV will be
a toyota again.
13 years and still going strong!
3.63 out of 5 starsbrett favre fan4, 07/22/2009
1996 GMC Jimmy SLS 4dr SUV 4WD
I purchased the car in 1997 as a gift for my wife. in 1999, I ended up with the car. I ruined it. I crashed it seven times, over used the heat until it broke, my son accidently threw a basketball at the side view mirror and busted it so I glued, taped, and tied the mirror back on, a car purposly knocked off and stole the other side view mirror while i went shopping one day, and the … trunk couldnt shut anymore. but "hey", it still runs like a beauty and gets me where I want to go. Got to love the Jimmy.
1996 Jimmy Highlights
SL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $227/month |
four wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger1 / 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 – OriginalPoor
- 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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