2021 GMC Savana Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
The GMC Savana is largely the same van it has been since its introduction for 1996 and face-lift for 2003, but for its 25th model year on the market, the cargo- and people-moving Savana gets a new gas V-8. Aside from the front grille, the Savana is nearly identical to the Chevrolet Express. The Savana's passenger and cargo van configurations offer different strengths for different types of work. It competes with other commercial vans including the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Nissan NV.
What We Think
The GMC Savana is great at its intended purpose; this boxy, old-school van can haul a studio apartment's worth of furniture or up to five rows of passengers as easily as a Jeep Wrangler tackles an off-road trail. Towing and payload capacity are both stout, especially with the new gas V-8. When we drove this powertrain in the new Silverado 2500HD, however, it was slow and underwhelming.
Even when we tested a Savana back in 2012, it felt dated and lacking in convenience features compared to its competition, and that problem has only worsened with the addition of newer peers. It's a stripped-down, utilitarian workhorse—we get it—but some creature comforts, driver assist tech, and a real infotainment system would be nice. That it earns only a Mediocre long-term value rating from IntelliChoice is all the more reason to look elsewhere.
Engine and Transmission Options
Like any proper work vehicle, the Savana can be had with a range of engines that offer different strengths and weaknesses based on performance and pricing. New for this year, GMC abandons the old 6.0-liter gas V-8 for a new powerplant borrowed from the Silverado heavy-duty pickup. Entry-level All Savana variants are RWD only.
Engine: 4.3-liter gas V-6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 276 hp/298 lb-ft
Engine: 6.6-liter gas V-8
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 401 hp/464 lb-ft
Engine: 2.8-liter turbodiesel I-4
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 181 hp/369 lb-ft
Payload and Towing Chart
Which powertrain makes the most sense will depend in part on how you use your work van and how much payload and towing capacity you need. Those after maximum payload capacity will be best suited for the Savana 3500 regular wheelbase with the standard V-6. Buyers more focused on towing capacity should look toward V-8 variants which can tow 2,500 additional pounds compared to any diesel or V-6 setup.
GMC Savana Configurations
In addition to choosing what engine will be installed under the hood, Savana buyers can decide between two wheelbases and two interior layouts. Regular-wheelbase examples measure 135.2 inches between the axles, and extended-wheelbase vans stretch to 155.2 inches for more space for people and gear. Depending on which of those you'll be hauling more, the Savana can be ordered as a 12- or 15-seat passenger van or a two-seat cargo van with windowless side panels.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The amount of space inside the Savana and how it's configured changes across different variations. Standard-wheelbase passenger vans seat 12, and 15-passenger seating is optionally available on extended-wheelbase passenger vans. Legroom measures 41.4 inches up front, 36.3 inches in the second row, and 36.6 inches in the third and fourth rows.
Savana cargo vans provide seating for just two but allow owners to take full advantage of the colossal interior space. Cargo volume measures 239.4 cubic feet in the regular-wheelbase model and 283.6 in the extended-wheelbase van. The cargo area is 154.7-173.7 inches long, 52.5 inches wide at the wheel housings, and 55.1 inches tall.
