2021 GMC Savana Review

GMC Savana LT 3500 Passenger Van Exterior Shown

GMC Savana LT 3500 Passenger Van in Quicksilver Metallic

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2021 GMC Savana Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Three available engines all 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
Harsher ride than most rivals
Dated touchscreen interface and interior styling

What's new

New 6.6-liter V8 with 401 horsepower replaces 6.0-liter V8
Optional navigation system no longer offered
Part of the first Savana generation introduced for 1996

Overview

If you asked a kid to draw a picture of a van, you'd probably wind up with something that looked just like a GMC Savana. It and its twin, the Chevrolet Express, have gone largely unchanged for more than two decades, and the Savana is one of the last truck-based full-size vans you can get. That truck-based architecture does have substantial towing benefits, but that's about where the advantages end. This isn't the most comfortable or pleasant van to drive. And while it does offer two wheelbase options and three available engines, the Savana lacks the option for a higher roof that will give your passengers the space to walk around between the seats without having to crouch.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Savana LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) 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

$314/mo

Avg. Midsize Van

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2021, the Savana picks up a 6.6-liter V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft) to replace the old 6.0-liter V8. This bigger V8 can tow up to 9,600 pounds, while the standard 4.3-liter V6 and 2.8-liter diesel engines can tow up to 6,700 pounds and 6,300 pounds, respectively.

Full-size vans have taken a big step forward, and even the similarly rugged and truck-based Nissan NV is more comfortable and has better road manners. Ford's Transit and Ram's ProMaster offer a healthy range of options, body-style configurations and more modern tech. There's undoubtedly some appeal in the Savana's tried-and-true design, but overall we suggest checking out the other vans to more comfortably transport passengers.

Which Savana does Edmunds recommend?

Whether you get the Savana in its 2500 or 3500 configuration, we'd go straight for the LT. We appreciate the extra standard features, including the driver aids, and think it just makes the Savana a more comfortable place to be. After that, you'll have to decide the primary use for the Savana, which will help you determine which engine and wheelbase is right for you.

2021 GMC Savana models

The 2021 GMC Savana is available in 2500 and 3500 load ratings. The 2500 is standard wheelbase only, while the 3500 is available in a standard or extended wheelbase and has a higher GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating, or the weight of your vehicle plus any passengers and cargo). The longer wheelbase also means that the 3500 increases seating capacity from 12 to 15 passengers. All Savanas come with a choice of three engines:

A standard 4.3-liter V6 (276 hp, 298 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic
An available 6.6-liter V8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic
A turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic

GMC offers the Savana in two trim levels: LS and LT.

LS
Starts you off with:

Vinyl upholstery
Single-zone manual air conditioning
Power windows and locks
Rearview camera
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
120-volt household-style power outlet
Two-speaker stereo system with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary port
Tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control (standard on 3500, optional on 2500)

LT
Comes with the above plus:

Cloth upholstery, carpeted floors and chrome bumpers
Remote locking and unlocking
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)

Options (available in bundled or stand-alone form) for both LS and LT models include:

Upgraded stereo system
Heavy-duty trailering package
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Remote engine start
Heavy-duty locking rear differential (can enhance traction in slippery conditions)
Sliding passenger-side rear door (instead of swing-out)
Power-adjustable front seats and power-adjustable mirrors

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 2021 GMC Savana.

5 (54%)

4 (39%)

3 (7%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.5

28 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 28 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 2021 GMC Savana, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the GMC Savana

Write a vehicle review

2021 Savana Highlights

Trim:

LS 2500

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,200
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	12 seats
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 or other emergency.
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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2021 GMC Savana Review

2021 GMC Savana Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Savana LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) 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.}

Which Savana does Edmunds recommend?

2021 GMC Savana models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 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

2021 Savana Highlights

Safety

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2021 GMC Savana Review

2021 GMC Savana Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Savana LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) 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.

Which Savana does Edmunds recommend?

2021 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

2021 Savana Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 GMC Savana info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Gmc

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Savana LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) 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.}