2023 GMC Savana Van

　　

2023 GMC Savana Review

byBrian WongSenior Reviews Editor

　　Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.

　　The 2023 GMC Savana is still in its first generation, and at 27 years young this platform passed its voting age a while ago. It's a bit less important for a cargo/passenger van with mostly commercial applications to get big updates, especially one with as much utility as the Savana and its corporate cousin, the Chevrolet Express, both offer. And those two vans are the last truck-based full-size vans available, giving them some cachet and a higher towing capacity than rivals like the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ram ProMaster.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 GMC Savana LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for Savana LS 2500

　　Savana LS 2500

　　LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,300 MSRPLS 3500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $43,500 MSRPLS 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $44,300 MSRPLT 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $44,400 MSRPLT 3500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $45,200 MSRPLT 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $46,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$284/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Van

　　The downside of the Savana's age is that it doesn't offer a high-roof option like you'll find in all three of those other vans, allowing for more cargo or passenger room in those vans. And for 2023, the Savana has dropped its diesel engine, leaving a pair of gas engines as the only powertrain options. Rivals offer more powertrain diversity and the Ford is even offered as an electric vehicle.

　　If what you're looking for is an old-school van on a truck platform, or if you plan on towing often, the Savana holds some appeal with its capability and low starting price. Otherwise, look into its rivals that offer more in terms of technology and flexibility.

　　

Which Savana does zzdcar recommend?

The Savana Cargo Van only comes in a Work Van trim level, so you're stuck with that one. The Savana Passenger Van offers a choice of two trims, and we suggest going with the LT over the base LS. It offers a few comfort and convenience features, like carpeted floors, that passengers and drivers alike will appreciate.

　　

GMC Savana models

The 2023 GMC Savana comes in Cargo Van and Passenger Van configurations with 2500 and 3500 load ratings. They're all available with a standard or an extended wheelbase except for the 2500 Passenger Van, which comes only in the standard size. Naturally, Savanas with an extended wheelbase can carry more weight, hold more cargo and shuttle more people.

　　You have a choice of two engines:

　　A standard 4.3-liter V6 (276 horsepower, 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 automaticGMC offers the Savana Cargo in Work Van trim, while the Savana Passenger offers a choice between LS and LT trim levels.

　　Work Van

　　This trim starts you off with:

　　16-inch steel wheels Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors Air conditioning Power windows Power door locks Vinyl upholstery Rubber floor covering AM/FM radio Connected services including access to a Wi-Fi hotspot Two stereo speakers Reversing camera display embedded into the rearview mirrorA Communications package is available and adds:

　　6.6-liter V8 engine Bluetooth smartphone pairing Satellite radio Fleet-management connected services USB port Cruise control Leather-wrapped steering wheelOther options for the Work Van include:

　　Chrome grille Chrome bumpers Remote keyless entry Remote engine start Cruise control Tilt steering wheel Cloth seats Power-adjustable front seats Second-row seat Rear air conditioning Trailering equipmentYou can also get several safety features for the Work Van:

　　Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)LS

　　With the LS trim, the Savana comes in the Passenger Van configuration. It adds the following to Work Van equipment:

　　12-passenger seating Dark-tinted full-body window glass Tilt steering wheel and cruise control (standard on 3500, optional on 2500) Rear heater and air conditioning 120-volt household-style power outletLT

　　This version of the Savana includes:

　　Chrome wheel trim, grille and bumpers Remote keyless entry Floor carpeting Cloth upholstery Tilt steering wheel and cruise control (2500) Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)Options for both the LS and LT models include:

　　Trailering equipment Heavy-duty locking rear differential (can enhance traction in slippery conditions) Sliding passenger-side rear door (instead of swing-out) Remote engine start Power-adjustable front seats Bluetooth smartphone pairing Satellite radio USB port Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

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