3
0
Midsize SUV; Built in USA
  • 2-door wagon
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $5,800*


1992 GMC Jimmy SLT 4-door wagon


1992 GMC Jimmy 2-door wagon


1992 GMC Jimmy 2-door wagon


1992 GMC Typhoon


1994 GMC Jimmy 4-door wagon

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Antilock rear brakes
  • 4WD traction
  • Passenger room
Cons:
  • Fuel economy
  • Noise
  • Rear-seat entry/exit (2-doors)
  • Ride

Offering satisfactory refinement and safety, and more carlike manners than the imports, GM’s near-twins are reasonably good choices in a smaller sport-utility.

Overview

Launched in 1983, GMC’s S15 Jimmy and the nearly identical Chevrolet S10 Blazer were among the first compact sport-utility vehicles. A potent 4.3-liter V6 was the standard engine by 1990, and Jimmy could have either 2- or 4-wheel drive. Antilock rear brakes were standard, but power steering was standard only on 2WD models. All 4x4s got GM’s Insta-Trac 4WD, a part-time system not for use on dry pavement. Automatic-locking front hubs and shift-on-the-fly were included. Front bucket seats were standard; a 2-place rear bench with folding seatback optional.

Yearly Updates

1991 Jimmy
A 4-door version debuted in spring of 1990 as a ’91 model, on a longer wheelbase that promised a better ride. Manual shift now was standard; automatic transmission optional. A revised fuel injection and air-cleaner system was supposed to improve engine starting.
1992 Jimmy
A more potent High-Performance V6 engine became available, delivering 200 horsepower. The sport-utility’s S15 prefix was dropped, leaving only the Jimmy designation. A high-performance, limited-edition Typhoon 4-door model held a 280-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine, and came with permanently engaged 4-wheel drive. 4WD models could now have an electronic-shift transfer case, operated by a dashboard button. Antilock braking now was standard on all models and the speedometer was revised.
1993 Jimmy
A new SLT trim level became available for 2-doors, while the 4-door SLS adopted a monochromatic look, with body-color grille and wheels. The basic V6 gained 5 horsepower. Both engines got a balance shaft to reduce vibration.
1994 Jimmy
New safety features included side door guard beams and a center high-mounted stoplamp. The high-performance Typhoon was dropped.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

In 1990, every S15 Jimmy carried a 160-horsepower, 4.3-liter V6. That engine added 5 horses in 1993. A potent 200-horsepower option arrived for ’92. Hottest of the lot: the Typhoon, its turbo V6 developing 280 horsepower. Only base-engined models could have 5-speed manual shift; all others used 4-speed automatic.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 160-165
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230-235
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		16/21
17/22
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 200
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 260
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 16/21
Turbocharged ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.3/262
Engine HP 280
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 350
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 15/19

Road Test

The V6 develops considerable torque at low engine speeds for strong around-town acceleration and ample towing ability. Gas mileage is nothing to rave about with either transmission. Dramatic differences in ride/handling are noticeable between a model with the base suspension and tires, and one with off-road equipment. Expect a punishing ride with the latter. A 2-door tends to bounce and bang over bumpy roads. The 4-door’s longer wheelbase improves ride quality, but this vehicle’s suspension is among the least competent in its class. Interior noise also gets bothersome on the highway.

Interior room is good, though not as spacious as an Explorer or Grand Cherokee. Getting in or out is easy because there’s hardly any step up. Because its back seat is ahead of the rear wheelwells, the 4-door offers 15 more inches of hip room than the 2-door.

Cargo space isn’t as vast as might be expected with the rear seatback up and inside spare tire in place. Although the dashboard layout is good, some controls are a long reach, and radio buttons are small. The driving position is okay, but the optional gauge cluster is hard to read at a glance, day or night.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 GMC Jimmy 4WD

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 7
70%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 44

Specifications

2-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
100.5 170.3 65.4 64.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
67.3 20.0 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 38.7 42.5 35.5
4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.0 176.8 65.4 64.3
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
74.3 20.0 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 38.8 42.5 36.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Jimmy 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Front Passenger Injury - 2
40%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 91
Injury 81
Theft 427

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: TH-700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1990-94)
Dashboard lights
Description: The oil pressure gauge may read high, move erratically, or not work because the oil pressure sensor is defective. (1990-93)
Dashboard lights
Description: ABS system problems include false codes, a warning light that stays on, or speed sensor malfunctions. (1990-91)
Engine knock
Description: Continued engine knock on 4.3-liter engines during acceleration or climbing a grade has been addressed by at least 15 PROM revisions due to carbon buildup on the pistons. (1992)
Engine knock
Description: Engine knock when the 4.3-liter engine is started can be eliminated by using an oil filter with a check valve. If this does not work, GM has revised PROMs for the computers and will even replace the main bearings. (1990-94)

Recall History

1990-91
Description: Fuel tank sender seal may be out of position; could result in fuel leakage.
1991
Description: Rear-seatbelt-buckle release button can stick in unlatched position.
1991-94 4WD w/ABS
Description: Increased stopping distances can occur during ABS stops while in 2WD mode.
1993
Description: Rear seatbelts may not meet government requirements.
1994 w/VR4 weight-distribution trailer hitch option
Description: Trailer-hitch attaching bolts were not tightened adequately.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 15, 2014.
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