2024 GMC Savana 3500 Passenger

The full-size van segment has modernized in recent years, except for the GMC Savana. Alongside the mechanically identical Chevrolet Express, the GMC Savana is an old-school work van with truck-like construction and the only available V8 in its class. All of its rivals are more modern and high-tech, but if all you need is a work van that can reliably haul passengers or cargo and comes with some towing muscle, the Savana is a welcome blast from the past.

The GMC Savana’s more modern competitors include the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Ram ProMaster.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size vans, including the GMC Savana.

The GMC Savana is no longer available with a V8 engine in the cargo van models, but you can still get the V8 in the passenger van and cutaway variants. The V8 also has a new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old 6-speed. It also used to have an optional infotainment upgrade that added a USB port, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, but that option is gone this year.

The GMC Savana is a more affordable alternative to bigger commercial vans like the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. It’s priced similarly to the mechanically identical Chevrolet Express.

Before buying a Savana, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. GMC Savana resale value is about average for the segment.

The 2024 GMC Savana is powered by a 276-horsepower V6 engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. This engine is a good fit for a work van. We haven’t found the acceleration lacking, and it has the towing and payload capabilities to fulfill the needs of most drivers who need a commercial van.

The 6.6-liter V8 that’s optional in the passenger van and cutaway produces 401 horsepower and is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V8 uses more fuel, but this is the choice if considerable power and maximum towing muscle are needed.

A truck-like construction results in a truck-like driving experience. We found the ride quality a bit unrefined compared to more modern rivals. The steering is short on feel but wide in turning circle. Then again, a new Savana is bought to get the work done, not typically acting as a family vehicle or a fun machine.

Fuel Economy

The EPA doesn’t give mpg ratings to commercial vehicles in this class. However, we can confidently say that the V6 is the more efficient engine option.

This is a work vehicle, so we didn’t feel pampered by the GMC Savana, nor did we notice any eye-catching design flair. The dash has hard plastics, and the seats in the base Passenger model are covered with vinyl. The center console conveniently houses three cup holders.

The maximum cargo area of the cargo van measures 283.6 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase model or 239.4 in the regular-length model. Between the rear wheel housings is a width of 52.47 inches, easily enough clearance for a standard pallet. And the height is 55 inches. Unlike most rivals, the Savana doesn’t offer a higher roof.

The passenger van seats 12 with the standard wheelbase and 15 with the extended wheelbase. We prefer the nicer LT trim in the passenger van, which adds some creature comforts like standard cloth seating, carpeted flooring, and a deluxe center console, but it’s still a pretty no-nonsense van without a lot of modern tech.

The GMC Savana has looked more or less the same since 2003. It’s one of the oldest designs in the automotive world, but it’s a functional one that’s made for work. It’s available in two wheelbases, with the longer wheelbase yielding more room for cargo in the cargo van and more seats in the passenger van.

Mighty V8
Along with the mechanically identical Chevy Express, the GMC Savana has the only available V8 engine in this class.

Class-leading towing
The GMC Savana uses old-school body-on-frame architecture and your choice of a V6 or V8 engine. It boasts a best-in-class towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds and can carry up to 4,280 pounds of payload.

Affordable pricing
The GMC Savana is tied with the Chevy Express for the lowest starting price for a full-size van, making it suitable for a business on a budget.

Safety Package
An optional Safety Package for the cargo van adds some nice creature comforts, including cruise control, a tilt steering column, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

LT trim
The LT trim of the passenger van makes the Savana a more modern people-hauler. It adds chrome bumpers and exterior trim, cloth seats, carpeted flooring, a deluxe console, and extra safety tech like forward collision alert and lane-departure warning.

Seats up to 15
The Savana passenger van seats up to 12 with the standard wheelbase and 15 with the extended wheelbase. This generous seating capacity makes the Savana a solid choice if you need more seats than a minivan can offer.

The standard V6 that powers the GMC Savana is the right choice for most buyers. However, we love that it still has a V8 available. Alongside the mechanically identical Chevy Express, this is the only V8 available in this class, and it gives this van a class-leading maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds. The V6 is no slouch; it can tow up to 7,400 pounds. We wish 4-wheel drive was available in the Savana, but if you require the extra traction, all-wheel drive is optional in the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

The standard 4.3-liter V6 is rated at 276 horsepower and 298 lb-ft of torque. The bigger 6.6-liter V8 makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. Both engines employ an 8-speed automatic transmission. The V6 powers every cargo van, and the V8 is optional in the passenger van and cutaway variants.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The GMC Savana is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It also comes with complimentary maintenance on your first visit. An extended 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is available for qualified fleet purchases. This coverage is about average for a commercial van.

Safety

Standard safety features in the GMC Savana are limited to the basics, like a backup camera, an electronic stability control system with traction control, and hill start assist. A few optional safety features include forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) do not have crash test ratings for this van.