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Even though many manufacturers are focusing on fuel efficiency and more modern stylings in the van market, the GMC Savana remains one of the longest running van models on the market. This means the Savana is a very versatile van that can be adapted to any needs whether that be setting it up to haul all the work equipment needed, hold several passengers such as a sports team, or putting it together with electronics and devices inside and out for research and development projects. In any case and for any need, there are tons of different ways to utilize the flexibility of this longstanding hauler to ensure it serves the purpose desired.
As one of the least expensive models on the market today, the GMC Savana makes a great choice for anyone who has to haul around a lot of stuff or people on a daily basis. For the 2015 lineup the Savana has deleted 2 engines, leaving only four to choose from and adds USB and auxiliary ports for connectivity as well as a standard 110-volt outlet. The Passenger Van models add OnStar with turn-by-turn navigation as a standard feature and the whole lineup can be chosen in new Emerald Green color if desired.
Even though this van has been around a long time, GMC has continued to improve its performance by adding a new and modern chassis which is based on the GMC pickup trucks. This helps to give the van a stiffer body and with a much improved suspension and steering system, the Savana is a smooth and comfortable ride for anyone who needs to drive it or ride in side. Visibility and parking assists are added where needed, especially for those who choose the cargo version of this big hauling machine.
As stated, four engine configurations are found in the 2015 GMC Savana lineup which is all mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine comes in as a 4.8-liter V8 engine offering 285 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is capable enough for people hauling and for most cargo duties, but if heavy duty hauling or heavy equipment needs to be aboard one of the larger engines might be a better choice. This engine with the transmission in place will offer a fuel mileage of 11 city/17 hwy mpg.
The second engine in the lineup comes in as a 6.0-liter V8 engine which offers a much stronger 329 horsepower and 373 lb.-ft. of torque. The fuel mileage decline for this engine is minimal coming in at 11 city/16 hwy mpg making this a great choice for additional power.
The third engine is a variation of the second in the form of a 6.0-liter V8 CNG engine meaning it runs on natural-gas instead of regular gasoline. This engine offers a bit of different power combination having 332 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.
At the top of the power heap is the 6.6-liter turbo diesel V8 engine that offers 260 horsepower but a monstrous 525 lb.-ft. of torque. This is the engine needed for anyone who knows they are going to have to do some heavy duty hauling during the life of the vehicle.
Function and durability fill the interior of the GMC Savana with a great deal of plastics and vinyl covering the different surfaces. The controls for the driver are very easy to use and placed in highly intuitive locations to keep the driver informed of what is going on under the hood. The cargo version offers a two seat van with a huge amount of cargo space or equipment potential. The passenger model offers bench seating for up to 15 passengers and includes a few niceties such as power windows, rear air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity.
The exterior of the Savana is more than a little recognizable it’s simply easy to spot and know what the van’s purpose is; to haul people and stuff. Over the life of this model, more than 30 years, the only real exterior changes have been rounding some of the corners and adding better wheels. This van can be had with either sliding or split swing out doors and even a swing out door on the driver’s side. A roof rack can be installed to help add to the carrying capacity and give the cargo version even more capability.
In the work van version, the Savana is stripped down to save money on the purchase and allow the owner to configure the van to fit their needs. The equipment that does get to stay in this version of the van come in the form of air conditioning, power windows and door locks, manual exterior mirrors and vinyl on the seats and floors. The Passenger van model give creature comfort a little bit more importance coming in with cloth seating for either eight or twelve passengers. The standard safety features for either model offer anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and airbags.
Because the van is so stripped down to start with, the optional features offer a lot of versatility and equipment to enjoy. These features include the bigger engines, all-wheel drive, a towing package, cruise control, an upgraded audio system, rear air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as a ton of up-fitter options for things like tool racks, work benches, special needs mobility and anything else that can be fitted and made to help get the job done even better.
The starting price for a base model GMC Savana work van comes in at $30,500 which is very affordable for just about any business large or small. The passenger model comes in starting at $33,200 still making it an affordable model and the cutaway van will begin at $30,000 for anyone to be able to add their own necessary features and equipment. At the top end the van with a ton of great features added can actually come in around $50,000 for business or personal use.
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