2000 GMC Safari Review
Fuel Economy
15 - 16 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A minivan with truck capabilities ... and refinement ... and ride quality.
Pros
Standard eight-passenger seating, 6,000-pound trailer rating, torquey V6.
Cons
Boxy design, poor fuel economy, big engine cover makes for small footwells.
What's New for 2000
The 2000 Safari gets engineering enhancements for its 4.3-liter V6 and ABS components, a tow/haul mode for its four-speed automatic transmission, revised lighting and power-locking functions, a larger (27-gallon) composite fuel tank and a third-row seat as standard equipment.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Great All Wheel Drive Van
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2000 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE 4WD Passenger Van Extended
Review
Bought for dog shows. Removed third row and put in my crates. Enough room for 4 people (Captain chairs) and all our stuff for dog shows. Very comfortable to drive and ride in. Must have all wheel drive if you live where there is snow. Gas mileage 15 to 17 in city and 20 to 22 on hwy and 18.9 average. Plan to drive it to the wheels fall off literally.
Favorite Features
Dutch doors, all wheel drive, rear heat and air, and middle captain chairs make it easy to have multiple seating arrangements.
Suggested Improvements
Better leg room for the driver and front passenger.
Best mileage for a vehicle this size
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2000 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE Passenger Van Extended
Review
No vehicle that can tow 6000 pounds gets better MPG than this van. I bought the 2 wheel (not AWD) version for the mileage. I drive 75 on the freeway with the cruise on and with the city stop and go I get 19.5 mpg on every tank. Less of course if I tow my boat. I work as a mechanic and did not even bother to inspect the van for more than 10 minutes as the original owner had the maint. paperwork. The only things I have had to do is replace the metal strip that holds on the lower trim between the front and rear wheels cost $125. Plastic line cracked under the hood for heater fan selector- free fix and common problem. Oil cooler lines seep but who cares it is common + cheap fix if you do.
Favorite Features
Not a minivan. MPG, reliability, huge mirrors, 4 by 8 foot sheets of plywood fit in back without removing seats. 10 foot 2 x 4s fit inside.
Suggested Improvements
Driver's leg room on left side is incomfortable. Standard rear locking differential.
Lots of room and a good tow vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2000 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE Passenger Van Extended
Review
We bought the van new and had it for 5 years. It always had enough power and plenty of room for our family of 5. We camp a lot and tow a boat. It did have an annoying habit of little things breaking. Power window motors, power seat motors, etc. Also, being so big, expect to spend alot more than the average amount on brakes and shocks. Overall, expensive in gas and maintenance but always big and powerfun enough.
Favorite Features
Can carry eight people and lots of cargo in back and tow.
Suggested Improvements
Better engineering in all areas.
Not too bad!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2000 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE Passenger Van Extended
Review
This is our 1st van. It is comfortable, handles well and easily sits 7 average sized adults. The rear AC is a must in south Florida. We use it to tote scuba divers and their gear as well as a personal vehicle. Some of the interior features need to be beefed up to stand normal wear and tear--The hand grip on the pax side dash-the covers on the hinges of the rear seats-the vent covers on the rear AC outlets and the covers on the seatbelt floor attachments.
Favorite Features
The driver's seat has plenty of adjustments to make those long drives comfortable. That is important when you live at "the end of the road" like we do. The instruments are well placed and easy to read but a HUD would be better.
Suggested Improvements
Provide a complete shut-off for the AC vents on the dash. Relocate the ashtray so it is convenient to the driver. See the interior features listed above. Beef-up the rear AC control switch on the dash--we have had to replace two of them. Electrically controlled mid-side windows are a must.
I'm happy, great AWD.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2000 GMC Safari 2 Dr SLE 4WD Passenger Van Extended
Review
I bought the van with 47k and have 65k now. Other than the alternator and a gear position sensor that was sending power to the starter when the van was running($50 part and an easy fix!) It has been very good to me. Went to FL with 3 adults and 3 kids in July and having rear A/C and rear bucket seats is nice. Also has a roof mounted TV with a VCR. The AWD works awesome. If you drive in snow don't get one without it!
Favorite Features
AWD, Front and rear A/C and heat! 4 bucket seats,TV-vcp, temp-compass- fuel etc computor, 4.3L engine, size easy to drive and park,but lots of room inside! Dutch doors.
Suggested Improvements
Sliding left side door, Toyota Instead of GM Quality.( fit and finish) Smoother ride.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2005 GMC Safari
- 2004 GMC Safari
- 2003 GMC Safari
- 2002 GMC Safari
- 2001 GMC Safari
- 2000 GMC Safari
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