2023 GMC Savana Cargo Van

The old saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but oddly with the 2023 GMC Savana Cargo Van, General Motors is taking the opposite approach of not fixing something that is clearly very broken. The Savana is available in the USA with the brand's archaic naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V6, good for 276 horsepower and connected to a relatively modern eight-speed automatic transmission or a naturally aspirated 6.6-liter V8 with 401 hp with an old-school six-speed automatic. All this despite one of the GMC Savana Cargo Van's main competitors, the Ford Transit Cargo Van, offering more modern downsized and turbocharged engines and ten gears. Even the thoroughly outdated Nissan NV Cargo uses more modern engines and, at ten years old, it is a mere spring chicken compared to the ancient Savana. Although its simple, tried-and-trusted engine options give it an edge in this important market, there's not much else that warrants this car's existence. Included in this is an out-of-date interior design, compromised ride quality, and more. The Savana 2500 and 3500 models are available with a standard and extended wheelbase. The passenger and cutaway vans also remain as alternative body styles.

GMC's Savana Cargo Van is available in two trims: the 2500 or the 3500. Each trim is offered with the choice of a regular or extended wheelbase. The range begins with the 2500 with the base V6 engine and the standard wheelbase at $39,895, a price that excludes taxes, licensing, registration, and a destination freight charge of $1,795. With the extended wheelbase, the 2500 costs $41,795. Moving up to the 3500 costs $42,995, and the 3500 with the extended wheelbase goes for $43,795.

Adding the 6.6-liter V8 engine adds $1,770 to the base price. Last year's diesel engine added $4,070 to the price, but the 2022 price tags were significantly lower.

In what comes as no surprise at all, every review of the GMC Savana Cargo Van you're likely to read reveals that it handles like a decades-old bus. The body-on-frame construction means that it is still tough as nails, but a sharp corner at speed is its worst enemy. Its finger-light power steering allows drivers to effortlessly steer the van through alleys and loading bays; however, the steering is imprecise and woefully short on feedback and feel, making urban and highway driving a bit like guesswork. While the chassis is tough and load-capable, it doesn't prioritize overall ride comfort. The driver and passenger seats may be quite soft, but you'll find that they don't filter out the blows of bigger bumps, which send shudders through the structure. As for the 2023 Savana Cargo Van's engines, both the 276-hp V6 and 401-hp V8 offer sufficient performance and while their responsiveness to the throttle pedal is impressive, their fuel consumption is not.

Other than the performance of the engines and the proven durability, there really is nothing to write home about when looking at the GMC Savana Cargo Van. It's from a different era and falters in almost every category in relation to its main rivals. GM's future strategy suggests that when it finally puts this platform to rest in 2025, it will be replaced by an electric van based on its Ultium electric-car platform. Until that happens, we would recommend you steer clear of this van unless you really need something that can tow up to 10,000 pounds. The new GMC Savana Cargo Van does come with useful optional driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but it's a bit of a cheek to still charge extra for these, even after the latest price increases. Structural safety, given that it's a 27-year-old design, will likely be sorely lacking too, were it to be subjected to modern-day crash tests. Put simply, there are far better cargo vans available at more attractive starting prices.

Your specific needs will dictate whether the extra hauling capability of the 3500 is necessary. For many shoppers, the 4.3-liter V6 will be enough for most needs, but it's always good to have some power and capability in reserve, so for that reason, we'd recommend the 3500 with the V8 engine. The Safety Package is a worthwhile upgrade, adding key features like rear park assist and blind-spot monitoring, while cruise control at least takes some of the effort out of longer trips on the highway.