1998 GMC Savana Review
Price Estimate: $796 - $1,130
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Huge interior. Powerful V-8 engine selections. Modern architecture.
Cons
- Cheap interior materials. Mushy brake pedal. Numb steering.
What’s new
New colors, transmission enhancements, more power for the diesel engine, revised uplevel stereos and the addition of a PassLock theft-deterrent system mark the changes for 1998. A mini-module driver airbag is new, but it and the passenger airbag still deploy at full-force levels.
For sale near Worcester, MA
Vehicle overview
Believe it or not, it had been 25 years since GM redesigned its full-size van lineup when the Savana arrived in small numbers for 1996. The GMC Rally Van and Vandura were introduced in 1971, and sold steadily until the end. Competition and safety regulations forced GM to redo the big vans -- heck, since 1971 Ford had re-engineered the Club Wagon and Econoline twice! To distinguish the new design, GMC rebadged the van Savana.
Savana features flush glass and door handles, hidden door hinges, standard antilock brakes and dual airbags. Doors contain side impact guard beams, though they do not meet 1999 safety standards yet. Front foot and leg room is adequate, and front seats offer a wide range of fore and aft travel. Rear heat ducts are standard, but for better warming (and cooling) an optional rear heating and air conditioning unit is available. Front air conditioning is standard. The center console contains two cupholders, an auxiliary power outlet and storage for items like CDs and cassettes. Five sound systems are offered and uplevel units have been improved for 1998. Savana is available in base SL or luxury SLE trim levels.
New for 1998 is a steering wheel with a mini-module airbag. Rear seats receive seat belt comfort guides, while a new PassLock theft deterrent system is designed to keep thieves from absconding with the Savana. Automatic transmission refinements result in lower levels of vibration and noise.
Buyers may select either a 135-inch or a 155-inch wheelbase. There is a choice of side-entry doors as well: a sliding door or a pair of 60/40 hinged doors. Inside the short-wheelbase Savana you'll find 267 cubic feet of cargo area, while the longer wheelbase model provides a whopping 317 cubic feet of volume. Up to 15 passengers can be seated within the longer van, on as many as five bench seats. Hinged rear doors open 180 degrees for easy loading and do not conceal high-mounted taillights when opened up. Gross vehicle weight ratings of up to 9,500 pounds are available on either wheelbase.
The base engine is a Vortec 4300 V6 making 200 horsepower. Optional motors include the new GM family of V8's, ranging from the popular Vortec 5000 to the monster Vortec 7400. Also available is a newly robust turbodiesel V8 good for 195 horsepower and 430 stump-pulling ft-lbs. of torque.
Like most products in showrooms these days, the Savana's styling is rounded and bulbous, with a front end that mimics the corporate look carried by most of GM's truck family. This design should wear well into the next century.
GMC Savana Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
For family and travel with space
4.25 out of 5 starsA Redensek, 01/20/2007
1996 GMC Savana G2500 3dr Ext Van
Have liked the vehicle very much, lots of space for large family to travel, comfortable, nice ride, good performance, reliable, low maintenance, nice Santa Fe conversion package. Only problem in 10 years, fuel pump went out close to 100,000 miles. Had one transmission pandrop and normal oil changes, on first muffler and no exhaust work. Have to replace brakes more often than ought (not … heavy duty enough for the large vehicle) lots to power and drain battery, what is expected w/ TV/VCP, radio/CD/cassette players, lots interior lights? Most wear and tear due to large family, years/high miles-oops mom scraped the running boards-can't see low in rear, careful in reverse, so use side mirrors!
Lots of Repairs
3.38 out of 5 starsNelsonVSM, 01/16/2004
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
I have a Glavel (AutoForm) conversion
with 75,000 miles. Very nice for kids
for travel and camper. Lots of problems
including: new transmission (3,000
miles), new dash board cluster, broken
CD, broke power attenna, new power
window motors, dash replaced twice,
failed water pump, failed AC, 3
batteries, brakes every 14,000 miles,
etc.
Great Conversion Van
4.63 out of 5 starsruspol, 01/09/2003
1998 GMC Savana G1500 SLE 3dr Van
I purchased a used 98 Savana conversion
van last week and I can't stop driving
it.
THe leather seats are very comfortable
and leg room is excellent.
I made my first road trip to San Diego
and cruised at 85mph and got 15 miles
per gallon.
A Great Cross Country Trooper
4.75 out of 5 starsMartin, 12/12/2008
1996 GMC Savana G1500 3dr Van
We have owned this vehicle for three years now and it has been great transportation. We had purchased it to make regular back and forth trips from Texas To California but wound up moving to Pennsylvania. It was a great ride in the cross country expeditions. We have used to haul machines, lumber, water purifiers and just plain traveling. We like the capacity as we carry people to church … on Sunday and have had as many as 15 on the run. We would buy it again. The only real problem we have had was with a engine sensor that only happened while traveling in the California Desert and that was only once. Haven't had any other issues. Would recommend this baby to anyone who wanted a roomy ride.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 GMC Savana, so we've included reviews for other years of the Savana since its last redesign.
1998 Savana Highlights
G1500
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $258/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
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 – Original0
- 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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