2000 GMC Safari Review
2000 GMC Safari Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
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.
Edmunds says
A minivan with truck capabilities ... and refinement ... and ride quality.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$260/mo for Safari SLE
Safari SLE
vs
$225/mo
Avg. Large Minivan
Vehicle overview
Choosing between a Chevrolet Astro and a GMC Safari is more a matter of image than necessity. 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 of the very few minivans (GMC calls it a midsize) on the market that can combine up to 6,000 pounds of trailering capacity with room for eight people. Not everyone will relish the trucklike ride over harsh road surfaces, but it's not bad when the highway smoothes out. Don't expect top-notch fuel mileage, though.
GM's 4300 Vortec V6 is standard, sporting a new roller timing chain and rocker arms for improved durability and reduced noise. It sends 190 horsepower and a healthy 250 pound-feet of torque to an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, equipped this year with a tow/haul mode for improved performance under loads. Long-life engine coolant and spark plugs help keep maintenance costs to a minimum. All-wheel-drive models have GM's Autotrac transfer case, which automatically transfers power to the front axle when rear-wheel slippage is detected.
Safaris come in three trim levels, a base SL, midlevel SLE and top-of-the line SLT, with a third-row bench and eight-passenger seating standard on all three (though opting for center-row buckets cuts seating to seven). Instead of the typical minivan lift-up rear door, GMC offers right- and left-hand rear load doors, and gives you the option of choosing "dutch" doors (standard on SLT), which feature a liftglass with a split tailgate. GM's PassLock theft-deterrent system is also standard, and the OnStar mobile communications system is available as a dealer-installed option.
Dual airbags are housed in an artfully styled dashboard, and four-wheel disc/drum antilock brakes are standard. So are features such as speed-sensitive power steering, delayed interior lighting, twin under seat rear-passenger heating ducts, overhead reading lamps, various built-in cupholders and storage bins and three power outlets (in addition to the cigarette lighter). New this year are auto-on headlamps, retained accessory power and expanded power-locking functions.
Whether your choice is simple rear-drive or full-time all-wheel drive, Safaris enjoy the rare ability to handle the kinds of towing/hauling tasks that pose problems for most front-drive minivans. And when transporting people dictates that eight is just enough, Safari is packaged to be just right.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 GMC Safari.
5 star(30%)
4 star(47%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(0%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
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,
4.13 out of 5 stars
Not too bad!
pacey, 05/11/2005
2000 GMC Safari SLE 3dr Minivan
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.
2.13 out of 5 stars
gm come clean
santa claus, 09/03/2003
2000 GMC Safari SL 3dr Minivan AWD
bought a 2000.early fluid problems
and 57000 miles trans failed. the
electronic trans has serious flaws.
light weak parts destined to fail. the
sun and 1870 code /lose reverse/
valves wear out. had tranny problems
under warrannty and got the gm run
around . the typical ,could not
duplicate problem so they didn't fix
nothing. now I sit with a $2000 +
repair bill. lots … of gm vechiles have
this tranny. I am tireing of gm's we
have no problems additude, and as long
as they get past the 36,000 mile
warranty. they don't give a hoot the
price of these vechicles they should
LAST A LOT LONGER. john q public is
getting ripped off.
4.13 out of 5 stars
Solid Van
FLEX, 03/20/2006
1999 GMC Safari SLT 3dr Minivan AWD
I bought my '99 with 145k mi and added another 50k.Great for long trips and in-town kid hauling.Only mech prob has been a/c. Engine/Tran are strong at 195k mi. Interior is very resiliant. Looks new. Paint/Body is still good. Nice having big V6 w/ rwd for towing. Also, it can handle a heavy load. built on truck chasis not car so it sits high and good for unimproved roads. dutch doors are … great. I think stiffer shocks would help. Front leg room is a bit constrained.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 GMC Safari, so we've included reviews for other years of the Safari since its last redesign.
2000 Safari Highlights
SL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $260/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
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