In order to control the engine output timing always properly irrespective of the aging of an automatic transmission, the present invention provides a shift control system for a vehicular automatic transmission, which system comprises: release end detecting means for detecting the release end of a frictional engagement element for a higher gear stage, at a shifting time from higher to lower gear stages; synchronism detecting means for detecting the synchronism between an engine R.P.M. and a rotating element in the automatic transmission at the lower gear stage; and engine output control means for controlling the output of the engine. The aforementioned engine output control means starts the rise control of the engine output, when the release end of the frictional engagement element for the higher gear stage is detected by the release end detecting means, and ends the rise control of the aforementioned engine output when the synchronism between the engine R.P.M. and the rotating element in the automatic transmission at the lower gear stage is detected by the synchronism detecting means.