2019 GMC Savana Cargo Review

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GMC Savana Cargo 2500 Cargo Van Exterior

2018 GMC Savana Cargo 2500 Van Door Handle

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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 Drive^{Cost 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

$295/mo

Avg. Midsize Van

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

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 (34%)

4 (36%)

3 (17%)

2 (10%)

1 (3%)

3.9

29 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

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 …

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 …

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

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.

See all 29 reviews of the GMC Savana Cargo

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2019 Savana Cargo Highlights

Trim:

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

See all features & specs

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.