2019 GMC Savana Cargo Review
2019 GMC Savana Cargo Review





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Used Savana Cargo for sale
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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 gasoline and diesel engines
Cons
- Limited cargo configurations mean less storage room than many rivals
- No high-roof cargo option
- Dated interior styling, materials and technology interface
- V8 engines are thirstier than competitors' V6 offerings
What's new
- Lane departure warning and forward collision warning now available
- Part of the first Savana generation introduced for 1996
A work van is one of the best vehicles for securely transporting tools and gear from one site to the next. These workhorses can haul thousands of pounds without breaking a sweat, and the large, rectangular cargo areas are ripe for aftermarket modification. But not all work vans are created equal, as exemplified by the 2019 GMC Savana Cargo. Though the Savana is perfectly capable of getting the job done, newer rivals are ultimately more refined and typically offer multiple body configurations for greater cargo versatility.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 GMC Savana Cargo 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 Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Not Available for Savana Cargo 2500
Savana Cargo 2500
vs
$295/mo
Avg. Midsize Van
Along with its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Express, the Savana Cargo is one of the last remaining body-on-frame vans. Built on a rigid truck chassis, the Savana offers a slightly higher towing limit than many of its unibody rivals, and payload capacity is similarly competitive.
However, the Savana's old-school construction comes at the cost of performance and comfort. It rides and feels like a 23-year-old truck because, well, it is a 23-year-old truck. Work vans are more utilitarian than passenger-pleasing, but recently updated competitors are easier to maneuver around town and are more composed when making turns. The Savana also lacks taller roof choices, so selecting the longer of the two wheelbases will be the only way to increase the size of the cargo area.
The Savana is competent in its own right, but the case for choosing it over competitors is rather thin.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Driving
Even the standard-wheelbase van is a large vehicle, and it drives like one. Tidy handling and accurate steering are not among the big GMC's marching orders. The upgraded V8 engine is responsive, though, and easily gets the van up to highway speeds, even with a full load of cargo.
Comfort
The driver and front passenger are divided by an enormous center bulge covering some of the engine and transmission, the width of which causes the driver to feel squeezed even in this large vehicle. The basic controls are easy to find and simple to use, but comforts are few.
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 abandoned. A low roof and the lack of a 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. Space 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 an 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 sold in just one trim — the Work Van — though you will have to make a choice between two maximum payload ratings and two wheelbases. Which you select primarily depends on your budget and business needs. There are a few worthy options that make it a bit more passenger-friendly, including the Convenience package (a tilt steering wheel and cruise control) and a radio with a USB port. You might also consider the blind-spot monitor, which provides an extra set of (electronic) eyes that come in handy if you don't opt for side glass.
2019 GMC Savana Cargo models
The 2019 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 and 3500. Each can be ordered in an extended wheelbase, which increases cargo volume from 239.7 cubic feet in the standard version 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 4.3-liter V6 (276 horsepower, 298 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Alternate powertrains are available if the standard V6 doesn't meet your requirements, including a 6.0-liter V8 (341 hp, 373 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic and a 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel 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 rearview camera, a driver information display, a non-adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, power windows and locks, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, LED cargo lighting, six D-ring cargo tie-downs, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, GM's OnStar emergency communications, a 120-volt outlet, and a two-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary jack.
Major equipment packages include the Convenience, which furnishes a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and cruise control; the Communications, which adds the contents of the Convenience package, plus the V8 engine, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, a CD player, and satellite radio; and Safety, which provides the Convenience package features, plus the V8 engine, power-adjustable heated mirrors, rear parking sensors with a backup alarm, and blind-spot monitoring.
A variety of packages aimed at special commercial uses are also available. Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are also bundled together.
Some of the above features can be added as stand-alone options. Other options include an engine block heater, cloth upholstery, a second heavy-duty battery, power-adjustable front seats, and rear air conditioning and heating.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 GMC Savana Cargo.
5 star(34%)
4 star(36%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(10%)
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"
?
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
5 out of 5 stars
GMC Savana Cargo
bob998, 03/01/2004
2004 GMC Savana Cargo 1500 Rwd 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
Just a great van -- no noises, 2500 lb
payload, 20 MPG on the hwy, four wheel
disk ABS brakes stop great. Rack and
pinion steering handles like a car.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 GMC Savana Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana Cargo since its last redesign.
2019 Savana Cargo Highlights
2500
Base MSRP | $31,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
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.
- Backup Alarm
- Sounds an exterior alert to pedestrians and other motorists when the Savana is put in Reverse.
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