2017 GMC Savana
Pros
- All engines have enough torque to move a fully loaded van
- Towing and payload capabilities are at or near the top of this class
Cons
- Dated touchscreen interface and interior styling
- V8 engines are thirstier than V6s offered by rivals
- No high-roof cargo option
2017 GMC Savana pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which Savana does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Full-size passenger vans are the perfect choice if you're looking to transport a large number of people, whether you're a business owner who needs to shuttle customers around or the parent in a family so large that it won't fit in a traditional minivan. The 2017 GMC is a possible option for you, with versatile seating arrangements for up to 15 passengers. But considering this van's numerous drawbacks and the availability of more qualified rivals in this field, we suggest you look elsewhere.
The primary knock against the Savana Passenger is its age. Though it has undergone minor interior and exterior refreshes over the years, today's Savana is nearly identical to the first examples that rolled off the production line in 1996. All other competitors have been fully redesigned since then.
The Savana truly looks and drives as if it competes with a kind of vehicle that no longer exists. Rival vans also offer high-roof variants to aid passenger ingress and egress and are generally more pleasant to drive. While used parts availability and an established track record might be potential draws, it's difficult to recommend the GMC Savana Passenger given the strength of the competition and lack of competitive advantage.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 GMC Savana Passenger is a large size van with numerous seating configurations and room for 12 people. (Its Savana Cargo sibling retains the front two seats and uses the rest of the interior as an expansive cargo area.) It's available in two load ratings, 2500 and 3500, and in two trims, the base LS and the LT. Additionally, the 3500 can be ordered in a long wheelbase, which increases the length of the floor by 20 inches, good for another row of seats, if you desire.
The LS is powered by a 4.8-liter V8 (285 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, a 60/40-split opening passenger door, 12-passenger seating (2-3-3-4 with a 50/50-split back row), air-conditioning, power windows and locks, a driver information display, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, GM's OnStar emergency communications, and a two-speaker audio system with an AM/FM stereo and an auxiliary port.
A tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control are standard on 3500 models and optional on the 2500. Opting for the extended-wheelbase 3500 adds rear air-conditioning, which is available as a separate option for the other LS models.
Stepping up to the LT adds front and rear chrome bumpers, remote locking and unlocking, cloth upholstery, carpeted flooring, rear air-conditioning, and the tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control for the 2500.
Many of the features added by the LT are available on LS models as well. A bundle containing a 6.5-inch touchscreen with integrated rearview camera display, Bluetooth, a CD player, a USB port and a navigation system is available for any Savana Passenger model. A rearview camera with display located in the rearview mirror can be ordered on any vehicle without the touchscreen. Other stand-alone options include power-adjustable and heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, a heavy-duty locking rear differential, remote vehicle start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, satellite radio and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Some features and packages are available only when the appropriate body type is selected. The Paratransit package for extended-wheelbase 3500 models removes the rear seat and reverts to vinyl floor coverings. This body style can also be ordered in a 15-passenger (2-3-3-3-4 seating) configuration.
Two additional powertrains are available on any body style. For hauling a high number of people, consider the 6.0-liter V8 (342 hp, 373 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. If fuel efficiency is a priority, check out the diesel 2.8-liter four cylinder engine (181 hp and 369 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic.
Trim tested
Edmunds has not yet driven any version of this vehicle. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.
Interior
Utility
Technology
Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2017 GMC Savana.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Savana safety features:
- OnStar
- Provides third-party assistance in the event of a collision, vehicle theft and other emergencies.
- Rear Vision Camera
- Displays a view of the area immediately behind the Savana in the rearview mirror or in the central display when the touchscreen is ordered.
- Rear Park Assist
- Sounds an alert when the rear of the Savana is close to an object.
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2017 GMC Savana for Sale
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See your car's valueThe 2017 GMC Savana Passenger is a full-size van that can hold more passengers than a typical minivan. Seating for 12 is standard, though a 15-passenger model is available should you decide to go for the extended-wheelbase model. The Savana highlights its versatility with multiple engines and load ratings to suit your business needs. It comes in two trims — LS and LT — each of which offers a smattering of stand-alone options.
The Savana Passenger's base LS trim doesn't offer many luxuries, but power windows and locks, air-conditioning, vinyl upholstery and an auxiliary audio jack are all standard. The only available package marries a tilt-adjustable steering wheel with cruise control. The upper-level LT trim adds that plus chrome bumpers, cloth upholstery, rear air-conditioning, and remote locking and unlocking. There's also a separate bundle that combines a touchscreen interface with navigation, Bluetooth, a CD player and a USB port. Additional upgrades include power-adjustable mirrors, satellite radio, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors.
Under the hood of the rear-wheel-drive Savana Passenger is a 4.8-liter V8 producing 285 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. If you need more power, order the 6.0-liter V8 with its 342 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. For those with an eye on monthly fuel costs, consider the new four-cylinder diesel engine, which makes 181 hp and 369 lb-ft. Two load ratings are available — 2500 and 3500 — and the 3500 can be ordered in an extended-wheelbase body style. This allows for a larger cargo area behind the fourth row, or you can add another row of seating for a grand total of 15 passengers.
The 2017 GMC Savana Passenger is price competitive but offers fewer customization options than rivals, and its V8 engines are thirstier than the small V6 engines you'll find in competing vans. The passenger area behind the first row is large enough to seat riders comfortably but other vans offer high-roof options to aid ingress and egress. Finally, the Savana is extremely old compared to the rest of the class (this generation dates back to 1996), so its dated interior lacks some of the latest entertainment and safety tech that others enjoy. If you decide that the benefits outweigh the deficiencies, use Edmunds' pricing and search tools to find the perfect Savana Passenger for you.
2017 GMC Savana Overview
The 2017 GMC Savana is offered in the following submodels: Savana Van. Available styles include LS 2500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A), LS 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A), LS 3500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A), LT 2500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A), LT 3500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A), and LT 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.8L 8cyl 6A).
What do people think of the 2017 GMC Savana?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 GMC Savana and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Savana.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 GMC Savana and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Savana featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Which 2017 GMC Savanas are available in my area?
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 GMC Savana?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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Related vehicle information
2017 GMC Savana Information
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