1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+11
Used Grand Cherokee for sale
Appraise This CarSee 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.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Jeep turns its flagship into an Explorer killer with dual airbags, revised styling, a better V6 engine, improved front suspension and an upgraded Selec-Trac four-wheel-drive system. Interiors have been restyled, featuring new luxury doodads and an optional integrated child safety seat. Trim levels are two: Laredo and Limited.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4dr SUV 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$262/mo for Grand Cherokee Laredo
Grand Cherokee Laredo
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
For years, the Ford Explorer has been the best-selling sport-utility vehicle in this country, but in 1993 a new challenger called Grand Cherokee arrived to try to wrest the sales crown away from the champ. It was not successful. However, it did outsell every other sport utility on the market, and became the Explorer's biggest threat.
Indeed, this Jeep has the most car-like feel of sport utilities, and is among the most stable on pavement. In fact, with the optional 5.2-liter V8 pumping away under the hood, the Grand Cherokee becomes the Porsche of sport-utes. Equipped with a new-for-1996 dual airbag system and four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Grand Cherokee buyers have long list of equipment to wade through, including three different drive systems, three diffenrent trim levels, and a host of luxury and convenience items.
The exterior is all hard edges and angles, but is instantly recognizable as a Jeep product and looks rugged. A retro touch we could do without is the location of the spare tire. The Grand Cherokee doesn't have tiny tires, and the cargo area is among the smallest in the class to begin with, so why is the tire in the cargo area? It should be under the cargo floor, mounted under the truck or placed on a rack on the liftgate. Otherwise, we have few quibbles with this sport-ute.
Jeep spent some time improving the Grand Cherokee for 1996. Cosmetically, the grille, fascias and cladding have altered for a more cohesive appearance. On top-level models, the fog lights have been moved from their precarious perch on top of the front bumper to nicely integrated recesses in the front air dam New deep-dish wheels are too deeply dished, making the JGC look taller and less stable than the 1995 model. The base 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine has been improved, resulting in more usable torque and quieter operation. Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive and the front suspension have been upgraded as well.
Inside, Jeep restyled the bulky dash. It now has nicely rounded and contoured edges, and houses the aforementioned dual airbags. Memory seat, radio and mirror settings are standard on the Limited, as are six-way power heated front seats and variable-assist power steering. All models get new seat fabrics and an upgraded center console. Trim levels number two this year; Laredo and Limited, with the top-of-the-line Orvis Package available on the Limited. Five new colors round out the changes. As you can see, Jeep isn't resting on its laurels waiting for the competition to leave the Grand Cherokee in the dust.
Unfortunately, just as Jeep caught up to and surpassed the Explorer in comfort and safety features, Ford went and squeezed a V8 under the Explorer's hood. Now, the Ford has a V8, dual airbags and a trick Control Trac 4WD system, like the Jeep. The Ford also has more room, a more comfy rear seat, and a lower price tag. Plus, you don't have to load cargo around a big ol' tire in the back. The verdict? For around town family hauling, we prefer the value-packed Explorer XLT. But for speedy fun and off-road prowess, the JGC Laredo V8 gets our vote.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
5 star(46%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(6%)
1 star(1%)
143 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3 out of 5 stars
ONE CATASTROPHE AFTER ANOTHER
karma90, 03/07/2013
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4dr SUV
I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Automatic, 2WD, the vehicle starts up perfectly but then instantly dies.Not a sputter nothing it's like it just loses spark.The power works fine, the dash lights come on,no problem,
automatic & manual head lights work great so far.Power windows and door locks work,my interior lights work.Gas light comes on,but there's gas in the jeep.None of the … gauges move at all.After trying to start it multiple times there is no sort of clicking from inside my vehicle like when my alternator went out & my battery kept dying.I recently replaced the alternator 2 days ago.I replaced
transmission catalytic converter,muffler,& major tune up 6 weeks ago.
PLEASE HELP
5 out of 5 stars
280000 miles just wont die
sailingdude, 11/09/2011
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4dr SUV 4WD
I bought this jeep with allot of miles cheap. It is the fourth jeep I have owned. Cheap to fix and lots of used parts out there. Can't go wrong if you havn't allot of cash to blow on some over priced ero-trash leather llivingroom. You can still drive it with many things wrong with it then fix it at your own pace. 280k starts and runs great. and the interior is just as good, leather, … heated seats, premium sound, comfortable, I can go on.
3.88 out of 5 stars
What more can you ask for
Big Frank, 03/03/2002
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4dr SUV 4WD
Most dependable and sturdy vehicle I have owned in years. Actually like it better then my Lincoln.
5 out of 5 stars
Take care of your vehicle
ORJeeper, 07/22/2002
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4dr SUV 4WD
I've been a Jeep person for 25 years.
I've owned nearly every model at one
time or another and there are few
vehicles which can come close to the
craftsmanship these vehicles are built
with. I am religious when it comes to
maintaining my rigs (especially the CJ)
and because of that, they last far
longer than the same vehicle
in "average Joe's" hands. Most negative …
comments are from people who do nothing
more than gas and go and expect the car
to last forever. It just doesn't
happen. Treat this vehicle right and
it'll take you anywhere you want to go.
1996 Grand Cherokee Highlights
Laredo
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $262/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 40.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 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 – OriginalMarginal
- 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
People who viewed this also viewed
3.8 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $41,535 |
4.5 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $41,900 |
3.7 average Rating out of 16 reviews. |
Starting at $35,990 |
Related Used 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Toyota 86 2019
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2017
- Used Volvo XC90 2019
- Used Ford Mustang 2014
- Used Tesla Model S 2018
Shop similar models
- Used Jeep Grand-cherokee-l
- Used Nissan Pathfinder
- Used Ford Edge
- Used Hyundai Palisade
- Used Jeep Grand-cherokee-srt
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2016
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2010
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2019
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2013
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2018 For Sale
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2014
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2015
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2017
- Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Audi A5
- 2023 BMW Z4
- 2023 MINI Cooper Clubman
- 2023 Mazda CX-50
- 2023 Silverado 2500HD
- 2023 4 Series
- 2023 Range Rover
- Mclaren 750S
- Maybach Eqs SUV
- 2023 S7
Research other models of Jeep
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Wrangler 4E
- Jeep Gladiator
- Jeep Compass 2023
- Jeep Cherokee
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2024 Jeep Wrangler
- Grand Cherokee L
- 2023 Jeep Wrangler
- 15 Jeep Renegade
Other models
- Used Ram 1500-Classic in Lynbrook, NY
- Used Mazda Protege5 in Flushing, MI
- New BMW X1 for Sale in Parsippany, NJ
- Used Mazda RX-8 in Flint, MI
- Used Mclaren 650S-Coupe in Pontiac, MI
- New Buick Envista for Sale in Hampton, NH
- Used Dodge Viper in Shepherdsville, KY
- Used Scion Ia in Elk River, MN
- Used Mercury Marauder in Spring Valley, NY
- Used Audi A4-Allroad in Plainfield, IL