2017 GMC Savana Review

GMC Savana LT 3500 Passenger Van Exterior Shown

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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

All engines have enough torque to move a fully loaded van
Towing and payload capabilities are at or near the top of this class

Cons

No high-roof cargo option
V8 engines are thirstier than V6s offered by rivals
Dated touchscreen interface and interior styling

What’s new

The optional diesel V8 has been replaced by a four-cylinder diesel. The compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel conversion option is no longer available. Otherwise, the Savana Passenger carries forward unchanged.

Vehicle overview

Full-size passenger vans are the perfect choice if you're looking to transport a large number of people, whether you're a business owner who needs to shuttle customers around or the parent in a family so large that it won't fit in a traditional minivan. The 2017 GMC is a possible option for you, with versatile seating arrangements for up to 15 passengers. But considering this van's numerous drawbacks and the availability of more qualified rivals in this field, we suggest you look elsewhere.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Savana LS 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$330/mo

$314/mo

Avg. Midsize Van

Calculate my fuel costs

The primary knock against the Savana Passenger is its age. Though it has undergone minor interior and exterior refreshes over the years, today's Savana is nearly identical to the first examples that rolled off the production line in 1996. All other competitors have been fully redesigned since then.

The Savana truly looks and drives as if it competes with a kind of vehicle that no longer exists. Rival vans also offer high-roof variants to aid passenger ingress and egress and are generally more pleasant to drive. While used parts availability and an established track record might be potential draws, it's difficult to recommend the GMC Savana Passenger given the strength of the competition and lack of competitive advantage.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

You're probably considering a full-size van if your business or organization frequently needs to shuttle numerous people. The 2017 GMC Savana Passenger can indeed transport a lot of people, but its advanced age and lack of positive qualities are major drawbacks.

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

Unlike many in this segment, the GMC Savana offers seating for up to 15 passengers (most others max out at 12). Unfortunately, a high roof is not on the options list. Compared to rival vans, passengers will have to duck more as they enter and exit the vehicle.

Utility

The cargo area behind the rear seat measures 92.1 cubic feet, good enough to store everyone's carry-on luggage. You can turn the Savana into a makeshift cargo van by removing all the seats. This increases cargo volume to 252.8 cubic feet in the extended-wheelbase model.

Technology

The Savana isn't the most technologically advanced van on the market, with just a two-speaker sound system, AM/FM radio and an auxiliary port as standard. A USB port, CD player and navigation can be added, but the optional touchscreen's user interface is dated compared to those of other GMC models.

2017 GMC Savana models

The 2017 GMC Savana Passenger is a large size van with numerous seating configurations and room for 12 people. (Its Savana Cargo sibling retains the front two seats and uses the rest of the interior as an expansive cargo area.) It's available in two load ratings, 2500 and 3500, and in two trims, the base LS and the LT. Additionally, the 3500 can be ordered in a long wheelbase, which increases the length of the floor by 20 inches, good for another row of seats, if you desire.

The LS is powered by a 4.8-liter V8 (285 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, a 60/40-split opening passenger door, 12-passenger seating (2-3-3-4 with a 50/50-split back row), air-conditioning, power windows and locks, a driver information display, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, GM's OnStar emergency communications, and a two-speaker audio system with an AM/FM stereo and an auxiliary port.

A tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control are standard on 3500 models and optional on the 2500. Opting for the extended-wheelbase 3500 adds rear air-conditioning, which is available as a separate option for the other LS models.

Stepping up to the LT adds front and rear chrome bumpers, remote locking and unlocking, cloth upholstery, carpeted flooring, rear air-conditioning, and the tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control for the 2500.

Many of the features added by the LT are available on LS models as well. A bundle containing a 6.5-inch touchscreen with integrated rearview camera display, Bluetooth, a CD player, a USB port and a navigation system is available for any Savana Passenger model. A rearview camera with display located in the rearview mirror can be ordered on any vehicle without the touchscreen. Other stand-alone options include power-adjustable and heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, a heavy-duty locking rear differential, remote vehicle start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, satellite radio and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

Some features and packages are available only when the appropriate body type is selected. The Paratransit package for extended-wheelbase 3500 models removes the rear seat and reverts to vinyl floor coverings. This body style can also be ordered in a 15-passenger (2-3-3-3-4 seating) configuration.

Two additional powertrains are available on any body style. For hauling a high number of people, consider the 6.0-liter V8 (342 hp, 373 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. If fuel efficiency is a priority, check out the diesel 2.8-liter four cylinder engine (181 hp and 369 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Above Average

#1 out of 24 among Commercial Vans

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the GMC Savana from 2008-2022.}

$695/yr

vs. $851/yr
for Average Commercial Van

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.15x/yr

vs. 1.96x/yr
for Average Commercial Van

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.3%

vs. 17.8%
for Average Commercial Van

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 GMC Savana.

5 (52%)

4 (41%)

3 (7%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.4

27 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 27 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

1999 Savanna Cargo Van

Kevin, 12/02/2017

1999 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van

Gets 16 Mpg with or w/o load. Handles balanced on Highway. Brakes well but get overheated easily in traffic lights. Stay away from Los Angeles commuting in rush hour. Very safe driver visibility like an aircraft. 400,000 on my chassis with one time ball joint and center link replacements. Second engine has a hundred thousand miles on it and purrs like a kitten. It has 450,000 miles on …

GMC Savanna - A nice ride

Northern Driver, 08/24/2003

2003 GMC Savana 1500 AWD 3dr Van (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

My Savanna is a conversion that looks and performs up to expectations and turns heads. I would not have purchased one of these vans based on standard features/factory trim. The dashboard and interiors are too flat and plasticky and the bumpers/mirrors are black plastic. Both of these detractions were remedied by the conversion - wood dash trim and painted …

2500 PRO PACKAGE

Don Schwartz, 02/22/2016

2003 GMC Savana 1500 AWD 3dr Van (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

I'm very surprised doing the value, comparison there is NO 2500 3/4TON AWD model to choose from. Only a 1500 series. Also the Pro Package has 2 double long air assisted opening panels, one on each side where the windows would normally be. Custom 12 volt interior lighting. Electronic transmission towing switch on instrument panel. The 5.3L Vortex engine is to die for. As with all …

Excellent Family Alternative to SUV's

hurstcastle, 08/04/2008

2001 GMC Savana SLT 3dr Van (5.7L 8cyl 4A)

Vehicle has proven very reliable over the past 6+ years, rides exceptionally and served our family very well. Would pick this vehicle any day over a SUV. Tons of features in SLT package!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 GMC Savana, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the GMC Savana

Write a vehicle review

2017 Savana Highlights

Trim:

LS 2500

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$33,140
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	13 MPG
Cost to Drive	$330/month
Seating	12 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	92.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Savana models:

OnStar: Provides third-party assistance in the event of a collision, vehicle theft and other emergencies.
Rear Vision Camera: Displays a view of the area immediately behind the Savana in the rearview mirror or in the central display when the touchscreen is ordered.
Rear Park Assist: Sounds an alert when the rear of the Savana is close to an object.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover29.2%

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2017 GMC Savana Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Savana LS 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Interior

Utility

Technology

2017 GMC Savana models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 GMC Savana.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

1999 Savanna Cargo Van

GMC Savanna - A nice ride

2500 PRO PACKAGE

Excellent Family Alternative to SUV's

2017 Savana Highlights

Safety

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2017 GMC Savana Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Savana LS 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Interior

Utility

Technology

Which Savana does Edmunds recommend?

2017 GMC Savana models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

1999 Savanna Cargo Van

GMC Savanna - A nice ride

2500 PRO PACKAGE

Excellent Family Alternative to SUV's

2017 Savana Highlights

Safety

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Related Used 2017 GMC Savana info

Vehicle reviews of used models

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Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2017 GMC Savana LS 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}