2017 GMC Savana Cargo Review
2017 GMC Savana Cargo Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byCameron Rogers
Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
Pros
- Towing and payload capabilities are near or at the top of the class
- Powerful V8 engines
Cons
- V8 gasoline engines are thirstier than competitors' V6 motors
- Limited cargo configurations mean less storage room than many rivals
- Dated interior styling, materials and technology interface
- No high-roof cargo option
What’s new
The optional diesel V8 has been replaced by a four-cylinder diesel. The compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion is no longer available. Otherwise, the Savana Cargo carries forward unchanged.
Vehicle overview
For many commercial businesses and contractors, a full-size cargo van is a great workhorse to get the job done. But of all the cargo vans on the market, the 2017 GMC Savana is perhaps the least desirable in our opinion.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Savana Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A) 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 N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for Savana Cargo 2500
Savana Cargo 2500
vs
$314/mo
Avg. Midsize Van
Like its Chevy relative, the Express, the Savana does offer plenty of towing capacity thanks to its stout V8 engines. But otherwise the Savana lags behind rival vans. The Savana's cargo area is small, and GMC doesn't offer different roof heights for even more room. Its dated design also results in subpar maneuverability and feature availability. There's simply no compelling reason to choose the 2017 GMC Savana over its rivals.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 2017 GMC Savana Cargo is a large work van that will handle pretty much anything you ask of it. Unfortunately, rivals do the same and are newer, offer greater cargo capacity and are powered by more fuel-efficient engines. We recommend buying one of them instead.
Trim tested
Edmunds has not yet driven any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.
Interior
As in other cargo vans, the Savana's interior makes liberal use of hard plastics. The engine protrudes into the front footwells, a characteristic of old-school vans that rivals have long since abolished. A low roof and no door behind the driver make it difficult to enter and move around the back.
Utility
The cargo area measures 239.7 cubic feet in the short-wheelbase Savana, a few cubes smaller than the class average. This expands to 284.4 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version. Competitors offer much more storage room because they can be ordered with even longer cargo floors and higher roofs.
Technology
The Savana fails to impress on the tech front, with just a two-speaker stereo with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary jack listed as standard equipment. Optional extras include a CD player, satellite radio and a touchscreen interface that's older than what you'll find in newer GMC vehicles.
Which Savana Cargo does Edmunds recommend?
The Savana Cargo is only available in the Work Van trim level, so your starting configuration will be limited to engine, load rating and wheelbase choice. Unless you absolutely need the extra payload capacity, we recommend starting with the 2500 to keep costs down, though it's worth upgrading to the extended-wheelbase version to make up for the Savana's comparatively small cargo area. The diesel engine will likewise keep the Savana competitive with fuel-sipping rivals.
2017 GMC Savana Cargo models
The 2017 GMC Savana Cargo is a full-size van with an expansive, boxy cargo area behind two front seats. (Its Savana Passenger sibling fills this space with additional rows of seating.) It's available in two load ratings: 2500 (max payload 3,234 pounds) and 3500 (max payload 4,192 pounds). Each can be ordered in a standard or extended wheelbase, which increases cargo volume from 239.7 cubic feet to 284.4 cubic feet. Regardless of starting configuration, the Savana only comes in the modestly equipped Work Van trim level. A few packages and numerous stand-alone options are available.
By default, the rear-wheel-drive Savana Cargo is powered by a 4.8-liter V8 (285 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Alternate powertrains are available if the standard V8 doesn't meet your requirements, including a 6.0-liter V8 (342 hp, 373 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic and a 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) with an eight-speed auto. The Work Van's standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, 60/40-split opening doors on the right side, a driver information display, air-conditioning, power windows and locks, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, LED cargo lighting, six D-ring cargo tie-downs, a 120-volt outlet, and a two-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary jack.
Major equipment packages include the Convenience (tilt-adjustable steering wheel and cruise control), Chrome Appearance (chrome bumpers and grille), Hotel Shuttle (Chrome Appearance plus the 6.0-liter V8, a sliding rear passenger door, heated power mirrors, a second row of seating, tinted glass and rear cargo windows) and Ambulance (6.0-liter V8, a heavy-duty locking differential and a more powerful battery and alternator) packages. A separate bundle adds a 6.5-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, a CD player and a USB port.
Some of the above features can be added as stand-alone options. Other options include all-terrain tires, remote locking and unlocking, remote engine start, rear parking sensors, a back-up alarm, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a rearview camera, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, GM's OnStar emergency communications, satellite radio, a spray-in cargo liner, and rear air-conditioning and heating.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 GMC Savana Cargo.
5 star(31%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(14%)
1 star(3%)
29 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.38 out of 5 stars
Not Good!
K Cook, 12/06/2008
2006 GMC Savana Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
Definitely not for commercial use! This is our second 06 Savana (first one totaled) and it has left me stranded. Replaced the altenator at less than 8,000. Replaced the water pump on the first one at less than 10,000. I've replaced: transmission, water pump, seat belt, oil sending unit, and several front-end parts. I've replaced more headlights and brake lights than all of the vehicles … I've ever owned combined(I've been driving for 20 years). It even had the wrong spare(5 lugs instead of 8)! Bottom line, this vehicle is just not reliable enough to be considered a "commercial" vehicle.
5 out of 5 stars
03 AWD Savana Cargo "Doors Galore"
savanaman, 03/02/2011
2003 GMC Savana Cargo 1500 AWD 3dr Van (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
I love my van ! I have had vans all my life but the modern AWD , rack and pinion , all wheel disc , full size Savana drives like a Cadillac and I get 17 mpg consistently when its not brutally cold . I live in Minnesota . I had reservations about the drivers side double doors as I had never had that option before , I soon realized that when you jump out of your truck but need to reenter … to grab something you are hauling around you can't beat drivers side double doors for access ! I drove over 100,000 miles before my Brakes needed pads and have had
except for some minor door switch partial failures "No Problems" with my truck ! Did I say
"I Love This Truck"
?
3.5 out of 5 stars
Not Professional Grade
fred anderson, 06/02/2006
2006 GMC Savana Cargo 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
Drives and rides like a comfortable car without any weight. You load it up with 2500 lbs and it's a different animal. Handling is unpredictable. Suspension and shocks are unstable with again only 2500#s on a 3500 series cat. van After a couple of weeks I am very dissappointed and having serious buyers remorse. I should have driven this vehicle under normal work conditions (light … deliveries). If I had a choice again I would gone with a Ford like my previous van that got 160,000 miles in three years without any problems until it was involved in an accident.
5 out of 5 stars
best van ever
thomas, 10/23/2017
2004 GMC Savana Cargo 2500 Rwd 3dr Ext Van (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
best working van in the market,i have one from many years,never problems simply turn key on and go,loved GMC,very happy.WAO! this is real FRIEND,gmc savana IS THE BEST BIG F......VAN
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 GMC Savana Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana Cargo since its last redesign.
2017 Savana Cargo Highlights
2500
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $30,745 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 239.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Savana Cargo models:
- Rear Park Assist
- Sounds an alert as the Savana approaches an object while in reverse.
- Rear Vision Camera
- Displays a view of the area immediately behind the Savana in the rearview mirror.
- Back-up Alarm
- Sounds an exterior alert to pedestrians and other motorists when the Savana is put in reverse.
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