1999 GMC Safari Review
1999 GMC Safari Review
View more photos
Used Safari 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
Pros
- Room enough for eight, torquey V6, standard ABS.
Cons
- Poor fuel economy, boxy design, big engine cover makes for small footwells.
What’s new
There are two new exterior paint and body-cladding colors, restyled wheels and outside mirrors, an overhead console and new optional integrated running boards. Additionally, all-wheel-drive Safari models get the new AutoTrac transfer case, and GM's OnStar communications system is now available.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan 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 $3.60 per gallon for regular unleaded in Florida.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Florida
$285/mo for Safari SLE
Safari SLE
vs
$222/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Vehicle overview
Choosing between a Chevrolet Astro and a GMC Safari is more a matter of image than necessity. Do you want to see Chevrolet's badge every time you approach? Or would it be viscerally satisfying to face those bold "GMC" block letters, with their implication as brand managers hope of upscale luxury?
In reality, tangible differences between the two are modest a fact that's true of most Chevrolet and GMC cousins. Once you've decided that a rear-drive (or all-wheel-drive) General Motors midsize van is the rational choice, you'll likely be satisfied with either one.
Because of their traditional-type full-frame construction and standard rear-drive layout, Safaris are most adept at heavy hauling and burly trailer towing. This is one minivan that provides up to 5,500 pounds of trailering capacity and room for eight people. Not everyone will relish the trucklike ride over harsh surfaces, but it's not bad when the highway smoothes out. Don't expect top-notch fuel mileage, though.
Dual airbags are housed in an artfully styled dashboard, and antilock brakes are standard. For added safety and visibility, daytime running lights blaze the trail. Integrated child-safety seats are available for the center bench seat, and the sliding door has a child-safety lock. Rear-seat heat ducts direct warm air to rear passengers. Safari features GM's PassLock theft deterrent system and, for 1999, the OnStar mobile communications system is available.
One slick feature sure to be appreciated by the parents of teenagers is the middle seat radio option. The driver and front passenger can listen to Casey Kasem up front, or nothing at all, while Junior blasts the local alternative music station into his ears through headphones (a set of headphone jacks plugs into a separate radio unit in the center row). This option alone may be worth the savings in family therapy.
GM's 4300 Vortec V6 is standard, sending 190 horsepower to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. Long-life engine coolant and 100,000-mile spark plugs help keep maintenance costs to a minimum. This year brings the new AutoTrac transfer case on all-wheel-drive models, which automatically transfers power to the front axle when rear-wheel slippage is detected.
Safaris come in three trim levels, SL, SLE and SLT, with eight-passenger seating standard on all three. There's an FE2 touring suspension option that has stiffer shocks, a rear stabilizer bar and grabby Goodyear rubber for a firmer, more controlled ride. Instead of the typical minivan lift-up rear door, right- and left-hand rear load doors are standard on Safari, with "dutch'' doors (a liftglass with split tailgate) optional.
Whether your choice is simple rear-drive or full-time all-wheel drive, Safaris can handle the muscular tasks that pose problems for most front-drive minivans and yet can transport up to eight people in comfort.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 GMC Safari.
5 star(31%)
4 star(42%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(0%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
It's a Work Horse
GM Owner, 07/21/2008
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
We love our van. Bought new has 110k miles. This van has pulled concrete carts, hauled 8 passengers, been filled with cement blocks, carried surf boards, moved us accross country and took us camping for two weeks this summer thru deserts (115f) and over mountains at 8,000ft. We take out the seats, place a bed inside and just cruise by those expensive motels. It will get over 24mpg if you … set cruise under 60mph. Its a work horse!
4.75 out of 5 stars
My 4th Astro/Safari Van
SB, 07/07/2009
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan
Excellent overall Van - I have owned 4 of them, and probably 5 full sized fords before that. Bought one new, put 200,000 miles on it without a problem. Bought 3 used with 100,000 miles at about $5,000.00 each and ran them to just over 200,000 miles each, and sold or traded them for about $2,500.00 each In all four combined, I replaced 2 window motors ($26.00) a couple blower fan … relays ($6.00), a couple fuel pumps ($200.00), one drive chain ($300.00), and one CV joint ($60.00). Do the math - $12,500.00 vehicle cost: got 500,000 miles, about $600.00 in repairs. No brainer - this is a great little truck (and it IS a truck), hauls a trailer well, fits lotsa people, extremely comfortable,
4 out of 5 stars
great truck
elisabethsdaddy, 12/01/2002
1998 GMC Safari SLX 3dr Minivan
I drive courier in this van,300 hard
miles a day. replace idler arms every
100000 and other normal wear items
never let me down.with proper
maintenance will go forever. change
tranny fluid every 15000. recomend this
vehicle for any one wanting a tough
vehicle that will hold the entire family
3.88 out of 5 stars
Lots of life left
Jeff, 10/26/2006
1998 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan AWD
2nd owner of this AWD and I now have 120,000 miles on it. Took it to Colorado Springs (from Pa.) this summer and had no problems. Van got between 18 and 20 MPG going 70-80 MPH but would get 24.5 going 55. In cColorado Springs it got 16.5 MPG. Only problems I ever had with van was a water pump at 115,000. It has been a good Van. Outstanding AWD in the snow. Better than my 4X4 truck. 4.3 … cyl. probably the best 6 cyl. on market but could get better MPG.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 GMC Safari, so we've included reviews for other years of the Safari since its last redesign.
1999 Safari Highlights
SLE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $285/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 41.3 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 – OriginalPoor
- 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
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1999 GMC Safari info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Lincoln Corsair 2022 For Sale
- Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2017
- Used Dodge Challenger 2014
- Used BMW 7 Series 2020
- Used Cadillac XT4 2022
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Kia Telluride
- Toyota 4Runner
- 2025 Kia Telluride News
- Tesla 3 Car
- Mazda CX 5
- Tesla Model S
- Toyota Sequoia
- Honda Pilot V6
- Range Rover
- Toyota Camry
Research other models of Gmc
- 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD
- GMC Yukon V8
- 2024 Sierra 1500
- GMC 3500 For Sale
- 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2023 GMC Sonoma
- 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- Hummer Ev SUV Price
- 2023 Yukon
Other models
- Used Mazda Mazdaspeed-Mx-5-Miata in Goodyear, AZ
- Used Audi Q7 in Somerville, MA
- Used Ford Mustang in Tinley Park, IL
- Used Lexus RX-400H in Westfield, MA
- New Mazda CX-90 for Sale in La Mesa, CA
- Used Chevrolet Spark-Ev in Round Rock, TX
- Used Land-Rover LR4 in Alpharetta, GA
- New Ford Bronco-Sport for Sale in Jamison, PA
- New Fiat 500E for Sale in Egypt, AR
- New Jeep Grand-Cherokee for Sale in Roseburg, OR