2019 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.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
Savana Cargo 2500
vs
$334/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.