1996 Pontiac Grand Am Review
Price Estimate: $336 - $558





+2
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
New styling, a new base engine, dual airbags and body-mounted seatbelts.
For sale nearby
Vehicle overview
Pontiac's perennial sales leader returns for 1996 with much needed exterior and interior updates to keep this compact competitive.
The big news this year is evident inside the Grand Am. A redesigned interior sports dual airbags and pillar-mounted 3-point seatbelts. The new soft-touch instrument panel features revised analog gauges, and a console-mounted parking brake replaces the anachronistic floor-mounted pedal of the 1995 model. Two new interior colors and fabrics debut. Improved cupholders and controls complete the interior redo.
Under the hood, a new twin-cam 2.4-liter engine is standard on all models. Pontiac claims that the new engine improves zero to 60 mph times by one second over 1995 models. A 3.1-liter V6 is optional, but requires an automatic shifter. Traction control is included with the automatic transmission this year. Fresh styling tweaks update the Grand Am's sheetmetal, and new alloy wheels compliment the new look. Four new paint colors are available.
Daytime running lights have been added to the Grand Am for 1996. A single key operates the ignition, as well as all door and trunk locks. PASSlock theft deterrent is standard on all Grand Ams. Variable effort steering, formerly found only on the GT, is available on both trim levels this year.
After five years on the market, the Grand Am is Pontiac's best-selling model, and it's not hard to see why. The Grand Am offers stylish good looks and reasonable performance, yet remains a decent value. The SE model is our pick, because it can be equipped to GT specs without the false performance pretensions and higher price of that premium trim level. Budget minded shoppers may want to investigate the twin-cam Sunfire, which offers more equipment for less money.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe 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 $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$154/mo for Grand Am SE
Grand Am SE
vs
$157/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Pontiac Grand Am Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(28%)
4(35%)
3(24%)
2(12%)
1(1%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Typical GM experience.
3 out of 5 starsKanchou, 03/06/2002
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
While the interior stuff is nicely located, the seats aren't good for entering and leaving the vehicle. Trunk space is cramped compared to others.
Engine response is good when traction control is off. When turned on, there is a noticeable help with rain/ice slippage.
Several components around the engine required awkward maintenance; Various sensors, valves, a lead pipe from the AC. … . . but the engine itself, as well as transmission were strong. This I've come to find typical in GM engines.
96 Grand Am disappointing
2.75 out of 5 starsKen Stufflebeam, 02/22/2006
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4dr Sedan
I bought this car for my teenage sons to drive, 98k, SE model, 4-door, 4 cyl, auto. Thought it would be economical and practical transportation. Trans failed at 108k, no heater now - core failure, many repairs required, gas mileage not great for a 4 cyl, 21 city 26 hwy, squeeks, creaks, rattles. In all fairness it was worn out when I got it and you get what you pay for.
AMAZINGG!
4 out of 5 starsgrandamgtlover, 11/15/2011
1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT 2dr Coupe
This car is AMAZING!! I painted it and it looks like a race car! my car is so fast! I have a cold air intake and dc sports racing exhaust with a cat back. It sounds great. I run a 11 second 1/2 mile! It tops about 105 due to rev reduction. Trans spinns great!
every pennies worth
4.38 out of 5 starsBryan Mirzaian, 01/12/2010
1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2dr Coupe
My dad bought me this car 10 years ago for little more than $6k with 67k on the odo. 10 years later,I still (hard) drive it daily with over 200k miles. @ 178k pulled a 16.07 sec 1/2 mile having less than $180 in performance parts,& that was with almost a half sec crap start! I use full syn oil, changed timely,& replace the usual parts when they fail. Parts failure is inevitable with any … car, its the nature of the beast! But have never had to crack the motor open & thats the more pertinent point. Cost of ownership has been very low.My quad4 motor began smoking V6 GA`s with a $25 cone filter, so not sure why one would choose the heavier V6 that has more moving parts to potentially fail.
1996 Grand Am Highlights
Coupe
GT
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $154/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 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
Related Used 1996 Pontiac Grand Am info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Genesis GV80 2021 Review
- Honda Fit 2020 Review
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2021 Review
- Nissan Maxima 2020 Review
- Mini Countryman 2021 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Acura ILX 2014
- Used Acura ILX 2017
- Used Acura ILX 2020
- Used Acura ILX 2021
- Used Acura Integra 2013
- Used Acura Integra 2018
- Used Acura Integra 2019
- Used Acura Integra 2023
- Used Acura Legend 2017
- Used Acura Legend 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 CLE
- Volvo XC60 2025
- 2024 Honda HR-V
- 2025 Corolla Cross Hybrid
- 2024 Jaguar F-TYPE
- 2024 Explorer
- 2026 Ford Explorer News
- BMW X5 2024
- Kia EV9 2025
- 2024 Civic
Other models
- Used Volkswagen Taos in Effingham, IL 2025
- Used Chevrolet Traverse in Indio, CA 2025
- New Chevrolet Silverado-3500Hd for Sale in Quincy, IL
- Used Ford Focus-St in Hamtramck, MI 2018
- Used Bentley Continental in Forney, TX 2025
- New Nissan Altima for Sale in Lake Stevens, WA
- Used Ford Thunderbird in Louisville, CO 2005
- New Buick Envista for Sale in Jeffersonville, IN
- Used Mitsubishi Montero-Sport in Hempstead, NY 2004
- Used Honda Accord-Hybrid in Kearney, NE 2022