Used 2020 GMC Savana

The 2020 GMC Savana is a full-size van available in cargo or passenger form. In automotive terms, it’s old (it debuted in 1996), so it doesn’t bring a refined driving experience like some rivals. But it’s tough, dependable, and relatively affordable.

Like all the other GMC vehicles, the Savana is mechanically identical to a Chevrolet, the Express van in this instance. Why buy a GMC Savana instead of a Chevrolet Express? Especially since the Express starts out a few hundred bucks cheaper? To be honest, there’s no compelling reason to choose one over the other.

Both employ a body-on-frame construction, which imparts strength and useful towing figures. They offer the same array of engines. And because General Motors make them, spare parts should be easy to source across the United States.

Like the Express, the 2020 Savana comes in 2500 and 3500 forms, with standard or extended lengths. And the passenger version can seat up to 15. There isn’t the same kind of configuration options as a Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. But for getting basic jobs done, the Savana can be a seriously hard worker.

The body-in-frame arrangement of the GMC Savana is the same approach as a pickup truck. And there’s something truck-like to the way the Savana drives. But not a truck from the 21st century. The steering is vague, the ride quality is unsophisticated, and the turning circle is cumbersome. But no one buys a new Savana to take the family on road trips.

Maximum payload is 4,312 pounds (in the heavier-duty 3500 Cargo van). That’s not particularly remarkable. The Transit and Sprinter can do better. But with the 6.0-liter V8, the Savana can tow up to 10,000 pounds, which definitely out-pulls the unibody rivals.

GMC also offers a turbocharged diesel engine making almost as much torque as the gasoline V8, yet it should be cheaper to run. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t provide any fuel economy estimates for full-size vans.

Looking on the positive side of the Savana not offering the option of a high roof, at least there isn’t the worry of parking structures with low headroom.

How much can the 2020 GMC Savana hold? The longest Cargo van has 283.6 cubic feet behind the two front seats. And the width between the rear wheel housings is 52.47 inches. The Passenger van can accommodate 12 or 15 occupants, depending on length.

For the driver, there isn’t much in the way of aesthetics. The plastics used are hard, and the dashboard is purely functional. But there are three cup holders on the center console.

The Passenger model has air conditioning at the rear as well as up front. The side curtain airbags in this variant only cover the first three rows.

The big difference between the Cargo and Passenger versions of the 2020 Savana is, naturally, the sides. The former has metal panels, the latter has windows.

Both versions have an extra swing-out door on the passenger side; a sliding door and side steps are optional. And the Cargo van is available with windows in the double rear doors. Paint choices are white, black, red, or (at extra cost) silver.

The standard length is 224 inches with a wheelbase of 135 inches. The extended length is 244 inches, and the wheelbase is 155 inches.

The 2020 Savana is also sold as a cutaway chassis, with just the cabin and the rest of the frame behind it, for specialist companies to create whatever the buyer needs.

V8 ENGINE
For maximum performance in terms of speed and capability alike, this 6.0-liter V8 is the engine to choose. It only comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, but that’s a similarly tough piece of kit. This V8 develops 341 horsepower and a muscular 373 lb-ft of torque. And torque is the force that gets things moving.

5-SEATER CARGO VAN
The 2020 Savana Cargo van is available with a second seating row for three. So a crew of workers can travel together, along with all the paraphernalia they need to get their jobs done. Just one thing, though — this layout doesn’t have the usual six D-ring lashing points set in the cargo area floor.

The 2500 Cargo Work Van is the starting point of the 2020 Savana range. It comes with 16-inch steel wheels, manually adjustable side mirrors, power windows/locks, cloth upholstery, vinyl flooring, air conditioning, self-dimming rearview mirror, 120-volt outlet, AM/FM radio, auxiliary audio input, and two front speakers. But no Bluetooth or smartphone integration.

The Passenger version comes in at LS trim, featuring vinyl upholstery, seating for 12, tinted glass, rear air conditioning, and an auxiliary rear heater.

In addition to a choice of engines (which we’ll go into below), heavier-duty 3500 variants, and an extended length, most versions of the 2020 Savana can also be fitted with forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, 6-way power-adjustable front seats, cruise control, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, keyless entry, remote start, spray-in cargo floor liner, various cargo management tools, heavy-duty trailering equipment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, USB port, CD player, satellite radio, Wi-Fi, and a 12-month OnStar subscription.

The highest trim level for the Passenger mode, LT, has a chrome exterior appearance package, cloth upholstery, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, keyless entry, digital compass, and forward-collision alert as standard. This model is also eligible for a 15-seat arrangement.

At its base level, the 2020 Savana comes with a 4.3-liter gasoline V6 making 276 horsepower and 298 lb-ft of torque, and connecting to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the only arrangement throughout the Savana lineup.

The gasoline option is a 341-horsepower 6.0-liter V8, which comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. GMC offers modified versions of this engine that can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

The diesel alternative is a turbocharged 2.8-liter 4-cylinder unit generating a respectable 369 lb-ft of torque, now matched with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

4.3-liter V6
276 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
298 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.0-liter V8
341 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
373 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

2.8-liter turbocharged diesel inline-4
181 horsepower @ 3,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A