GMC Savana

If you asked a kid to draw a picture of a van, you'd probably wind up with something that looked just like a GMC Savana. It and its twin, the Chevrolet Express, have gone largely unchanged for more than two decades, and the Savana is one of the last truck-based full-size vans you can get. That truck-based architecture does have substantial towing benefits, but that's about where the advantages end. This isn't the most comfortable or pleasant van to drive. And while it does offer two wheelbase options and three available engines, the Savana lacks the option for a higher roof that will give your passengers the space to walk around between the seats without having to crouch.

For 2021, the Savana picks up a 6.6-liter V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft) to replace the old 6.0-liter V8. This bigger V8 can tow up to 9,600 pounds, while the standard 4.3-liter V6 and 2.8-liter diesel engines can tow up to 6,700 pounds and 6,300 pounds, respectively.

Full-size vans have taken a big step forward, and even the similarly rugged and truck-based Nissan NV is more comfortable and has better road manners. Ford's Transit and Ram's ProMaster offer a healthy range of options, body-style configurations and more modern tech. There's undoubtedly some appeal in the Savana's tried-and-true design, but overall we suggest checking out the other vans to more comfortably transport passengers.

Which Savana does MatoCar recommend?

Whether you get the Savana in its 2500 or 3500 configuration, we'd go straight for the LT. We appreciate the extra standard features, including the driver aids, and think it just makes the Savana a more comfortable place to be. After that, you'll have to decide the primary use for the Savana, which will help you determine which engine and wheelbase is right for you.

The 2021 GMC Savana is available in 2500 and 3500 load ratings. The 2500 is standard wheelbase only, while the 3500 is available in a standard or extended wheelbase and has a higher GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating, or the weight of your vehicle plus any passengers and cargo). The longer wheelbase also means that the 3500 increases seating capacity from 12 to 15 passengers. All Savanas come with a choice of three engines:

A standard 4.3-liter V6 (276 hp, 298 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic
An available 6.6-liter V8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic
A turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic

GMC offers the Savana in two trim levels: LS and LT.

LS Starts you off with:

Vinyl upholstery
Single-zone manual air conditioning
Power windows and locks
Rearview camera
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
120-volt household-style power outlet
Two-speaker stereo system with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary port
Tilt-only steering wheel and cruise control (standard on 3500, optional on 2500)

LT Comes with the above plus:

Cloth upholstery, carpeted floors and chrome bumpers
Remote locking and unlocking
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)

Options (available in bundled or stand-alone form) for both LS and LT models include:

Upgraded stereo system
Heavy-duty trailering package
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Remote engine start
Heavy-duty locking rear differential (can enhance traction in slippery conditions)
Sliding passenger-side rear door (instead of swing-out)
Power-adjustable front seats and power-adjustable mirrors