2021 GMC Savana 2500

The folks at GMC do not like to create much confusion in the mind of the buyer by throwing out too many “trim levels”. Instead, they keep things straightforward and offer the 2021 Savana 2500 in a two trims the LS and the LT. The LS trim encompasses the majority of the features at an MSRP of $33,795 for the standard wheelbase variant. A long-wheelbase option is also available for $1,900 extra. 

The LT trim adds a few more features and gives it a rather uptown look with an upgraded MSRP of $39,795 for the standard wheelbase option and $41,695 for the extended wheelbase. While the competition seems to be offering a varying choice of roofs, the folks at GMC offer a single low roof option only.

Model	LS	LT
MSRP (Regular Wheelbase)	$33,795	$39,795
MSRP (Extended Wheelbase)	$35,695	$41,695
Key Features	16-inch steel wheels with all-season tires	Adds/Upgrades to LS trim
	Black manual outside mirrors and Black Bumpers	Chrome Bumpers, Grilles and Center caps
	Dual-halogen composite headlamps and DRLs	Tilt adjustable steering wheel with cruise control
	Solar-Ray light-tinted glass with Front intermittent wipers	Cloth front bucket seats with Carpeted floor covering
	Power windows and power door locks	Deluxe console with swing-out storage bin
	AM/FM stereo with MP3 player and 2-speakers	Forward Collision Alert
	AUX media device connection and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capable	Lane Departure Warning
	Rubberized vinyl floor covering and Cloth headliner	Remote Keyless Entry
	Driver Information Center with Oil-life monitoring system	Theft Alert Notification
	High-back bucket front seats cloth or vinyl upholstery
	Visors for front seats with Front and side window defogger
	Electrical theft-deterrent system
	OnStar & GMC Connected Services capable
	Interior lighting and Rear Vision Camera

While the Savana 2500 is a barebones van as is, you can surely throw in your own personal flair to it and make it personalized to suit your business needs during customization. From the way, the doors open to the presence or absence of windows, everything on the van pertaining to its functionality can be altered. 

The LS trim comes with 16-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tires along with halogen headlamps and DRLs, a yester-year AM/FM Stereo with MP3 player, vinyl upholstery on the bucket seats, and other bells and whistles of the moniker.

The LT trim adds the Driver Convenience package which has tilt adjustability for the steering column and cruise control. It also adds the Chrome Appearance package which adds chrome to the grille, bumpers, and center caps. Along with that, there is forward collision assist, lane departure warning, and keyless entry that is added to the mix. 

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Ownership Costs and Reliability

GMC has always maintained its stance as the slightly uptown offering in the crowd whilst maintaining a competitive price tag. While the pickup trucks have seen their fair share of troubles, the vans have remained reliable in the long run.

What is the Reliability and Ownership Costs of the GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van?

The GMC Savana 2500 is the spiritual successor to the GMC Vandura and has stayed in the same generation without any major changes for about 25 years now. While the design has changed minutely over the years, reliability and practicality have stayed intact. While the J.D. Power report is the best way to judge a car’s reliability factor, for the Savana 2500, the same is not available. That being said, the best bet to judge the van’s reliability, in this case, is by looking at its history of recalls. In the past few years, the Savana 2500 has not seen any recalls and hence can be called a reliable proposition in the segment. 

Seeing the track record that the van has in the past years, you might be thinking of getting it for your business transportation needs. Considering you pick up the standard wheelbase variant of the 2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo van, the following are the 5-year costs of ownership that you will encounter:

Category	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Total
Insurance	$841	$870	$901	$932	$965	$4,509
Maintenance	$362	$667	$588	$2,099	$1,030	$4,746
Repairs	$0	$0	$114	$270	$394	$778
Taxes & Fees	$2,761	$21	$88	$21	$88	$2,979
Financing	$1,733	$1,393	$1,032	$645	$233	$5,036
Depreciation	$6,241	$2,018	$1,910	$2,241	$2,122	$14,532
Fuel	$2,549	$2,625	$2,704	$2,785	$2,869	$13,532
True Cost to Own	$14,487	$7,594	$7,337	$8,993	$7,701	$46,112

The true cost to own the GMC Savana 2500 is $46,112. For the cargo van that costs almost 35 grand, spending about 11k more over the next 5 years does not seem like a huge bargain. Thankfully, most of the ownership costs are limited in the first year owing to depreciation, state taxes, and financing fees. As time passes on, the effect of all of these reduces and hence the cost of ownership reduces consequently. If you want to offset about 20% of the ownership costs, then you can opt for an extended warranty plan along with a periodic maintenance plan.

What kind of Warranty does GMC offer?

When you buy a new car, one of the newest best friends that comes with it is the warranty. With the Savana 2500, the brand offers a limited bumper to bumper warranty for a period of 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Corrosion warranty also lasts for the same period. 

The powertrain and 24-hour roadside assistance are in place for a period of 5-years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The other coverages in the warranty are:

Criteria	Period
Limited warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles; whichever is first
Powertrain warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles; whichever is first
24-hour roadside assistance	5 years / 60,000 miles; whichever is first
Corrosion Protection Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles; whichever is first
Rust Protection Warranty	6 years / 100,000 miles; whichever is first

You might lament the fact that the van comes with a rather shorthanded warranty as standard. However, you still have the option of extending it to a total of 5-years or 60,000 miles; whichever comes first.

There are a lot of plans available in the extended warranty statement, the most famous one being the Platinum plan which covers more than 1,000 components of various assemblies and sub-assemblies in the vehicle.

But if you want, you can discuss with your dealer to work out a custom plan for you that can cost anywhere between $1,400 to $4,700.

Miles Per Dollar

When you are using a car for business, the costs associated with it become of paRAMount importance. Considering you complete around 15,000 miles annually with the 2021 Savana 2500, you will incur an annual fuel cost of about $2,670. Now, that is not cheap. At those numbers, you are spending almost 18 cents per mile that you drive it around, or you are getting 5.6 miles per dollar. 

The GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van is actually a pretty bare-bones and old-fashioned vehicle and the 2021 model year does not bring significant changes to it. Hence, we would recommend you to pick up the standard-wheelbase option and then add the following accessories:

• Black heated power outside mirrors with convex- $115
• Rear Park Assist- $295
• AM/­FM stereo with MP3 player and USB port- $100
• Driver Convenience Package- $395
• Bluetooth- $50
• Driver and front passenger visors- $10
• Side Blind Zone Alert- $395
• Forward Collision Alert- $295
• Cloth front bucket seats- $70
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel- $185
• Auxiliary lighting- $85

Adding the above state accessories will jack up the price by $1,500, but will definitely make your life easier and the drive a lot safer when you are out hauling the precious cargo on your next trip.

Is buying a used car GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van a good idea?

The GMC Savana 2500 is essentially the successor to the famous Vandura. Having appeared in 1996 for the first time, the Savana 2500 has received only minor facelifts which reminds you of the olden days when you look at it. Add to that the sturdy and practical build, and you actually walk away with a very good prospect to pick up used. 

Considering that your business is new and you are beginning to gain traction, you might want to save some money on the van. The Savana 2500 Cargo depreciates about 23% in the first year and more than 40% by the end of the third year. Hence, if you want to put your money down on the Savana 2500, we would recommend you to pick up the 2018 model year of the van as it will not look any different from the present one, and yet allow you to save a ton of money. 

Putting the wheels of this oldie but goodie cargo hauler is a big block 4.3L naturally aspirated V6. This powertrain comes married to an old school 8-speed automatic transmission that many people have regarded as outdated. But then again, looking at the GMC Savana 2500, it doesn’t really scream modern. 

The powertrain is primed enough to churn out 276 hp along with 298 lb-ft of torque which is tamed by the transmission and put on the rear wheels. While we would have loved to see a 4WD or an AWD drivetrain for the hauler, the absence of it does stand out like a sore thumb. Overall, when it boils down to it, the van doesn’t just give off the vibe of an older vehicle but also drives like one. Despite being a veteran of the game, the ride quality hasn’t been smoothed out.

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Medium Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
MSRP	$33,795	$32,500	$34,510	$34,440
Engine	4.3L V6	4.3L V6	3.5L V6	3.6L V6
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	FWD
Transmission	8-speed automatic transmission	8-speed automatic transmission	10-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Power	276 hp @ 5200 rpm	276 hp @ 5200 rpm	275 hp @ 6500 rpm	280 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	298 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm	298 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm	262 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

In front of its adversaries, the Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo is the same van underneath like the Savana 2500 and hence has the exact same spec sheet. The goldfish looking RAM Promaster 2500 Cargo van is the strongest competitor here as it is the most powerful of the lot. The Ford Transit 250 actually just misses out on reaching the podium by a whisker. That being said, the drive quality of both the Ford and the RAM is miles ahead of what the GMC Twins have ever offered. 

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Acceleration And Braking Performance

Cargo vans are not exactly the average everyday car that will give you the thrill of the drive when you want it. They are meant for hauling stuff around and hence, they stay true to that very nature. But if the revv head in you cannot help himself, then be prepared to be disappointed. 

The GMC Savana 2500 Cargo takes a relaxed 8.4 seconds to go from 0-60 mph and takes an equivalent time more to complete the quarter-mile at 16.5 seconds. For a cargo van, these numbers are kind of what is expected. The brakes are also nothing out of the ordinary as well. That being said, it's firm and inspires confidence most of the time. When you push it to the limit, the van can stop from 60-0 mph in a distance of 146 feet which is surprisingly one of the best in the segment. 

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Medium Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
0-60 MPH	8.4 sec	8.4 sec	7.5 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	16.5 sec	15.9 sec	16.1 sec
Top Speed	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
60-0 MPH	146 ft	148 ft	148 ft	155 ft

The GMC Savana 2500 surprises everyone with its braking prowess by taking the top spot despite starting out slow in the 0-60 run. The Ford Transit 250 takes the first spot with the best numbers across the board overall. The RAM Promaster 2500 does hurry around in a jiffy, but it surely does fail to perform in terms of brakes, taking a massive 3 meters or 9 feet longer to come to a stop as compared to the Savana 2500. 

The Express 2500 manages to match the pace of its sibling but loses out slightly in terms of the braking athleticism.

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Towing and Payload Capacity

The GMC Savana 2500 as a cargo van is made for hauling purposes only. From life-size mega cakes to tools and supplies to running full-blown computer ops, the Savana is a true grit hauler in all regards.
Thanks to this very nature, the Savana 2500 cargo has a segment-leading towing capacity of 10,000 lbs along with a payload capacity of 3,280. Add to that the overall space it packs, and you get a remarkable package indeed.

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Medium Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
Towing Capacity (lbs)	10,000	10,000	6,400	5,100
Payload Capacity (lbs)	3,280	3,280	4,030	4,260

In comparison to the others, the fish-eyed Promaster 2500 is the loser as it comes with the least towing capacity, but can carry the most load on it. The Ford Transit 250 is actually second in terms of hauling stuff on it, but slips in the third spot in towing capability. The Express 2500 and the Savana 2500 are essentially the same all around except for the branding, and hence have the same kind of hauling capacity which propels them to the top of the leaderboard. 

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Drive Experience

The GMC Savana 2500 reminds you of the olden days when the vans were only a means of transportation or for hauling stuff from here to there, and the 2021 model surely exudes that vibe. With a drive experience that is mostly rough around the edges, don’t expect a stellar experience that would excite. The gas-guzzling nature of the van and the continuously dropping demand of the van has translated into the fact that GMC has not paid much attention to refining the ride quality of the Savana 2500. 

The suspension and steering wheel feel heavy for its size and the girthy build surely does weigh in as the van rolls quite a bit on turns. GMC tries to keep nose dive to a bare minimum, however, fails at this because the van does tend to have a fair bit of it when you press the pedal in harsh conditions. Thankfully the saving grace comes in the form of the adequately comfortable cabin that manages to mum down all the road imperfections to an extent. Overall, the character that is a hauler van surely takes the front stage here.

GMC is known for many things, but a stellar fuel economy has probably never been one of those. With the big block powertrains being housed in a lot of their vehicles, the brand has started to see a massive decline in sales. The Savana 2500 is no different as the big block 4.3L V6 is a true gas monster and burns fuel like hot water on a pan.

The only way that the brand masks this issue is by fitting in a 31-gallon fuel tank that will keep things covered at least for the short period that the fuel does not run out. 

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Medium Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
MPG (City)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MPG (Highway)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MPG (Combined)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fuel Capacity (gallons)	31.0	31.0	25.0	24.0
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

In comparison to the rest, the RAM Promaster 2500 is actually the newest entrant to the market and also comes with the smallest fuel tank (typical RAM practice). The Ford Transit 250 is slightly better with a fuel tank capacity of 25 gallons at its best. The GMC twins, the Savana 2500 and the Express 2500 both have the same huge fuel tank and hence dominate the others with their approach to the segment. 

However, with the introduction of the Europeans into the market, that feeling of luxury, practicality, and better looks along with a better fuel economy have all dealt a severe blow to the Savana 2500 Cargo. 

Take a seat in the cabin of the Savana 2500, and you will feel like you have traveled back in time as the interior layout is quite conventional and old-fashioned compared to the modern-day rides. The dashboard is all-analog with lots of buttons, and an old-school stereo system to keep you spritely when you want it. 

The steering wheel does not get any wrapping as standard but can get leather upholstery during customization. There are two bucket seats that can either be in vinyl upholstery or cloth depending on the customization you choose. As is, the seats are quite comfortable and practical, as they allow a lot of adjustability for a driver or passenger of any shape and size. They are manually adjustable as standard but you can pick up 6-way power adjustability during customization.

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Medium Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
Seating Capacity	2	2	2	2
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	40.9 / 68.9 / 41.4	40.9 / 68.9 / 41.4	40.8 / 67.9 / 41.3	65.4 / 74.8 / 38.8
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft.)	239.7	239.4	246.7	304.0

The rear part of the cabin is completely empty which is the entire purpose of the cargo van. When compared to the rest, the Promaster 2500 is actually the biggest one of the lot as it offers the most room inside and also the most cargo space. Not to forget that it also offers the modern-day amenities to quite an extent as compared to the GMC. The interior space in all the others is almost the same but the cargo space in the Transit 250 is still more than the other two twins. The Express 2500 has the smallest room of the lot, marginally smaller than the Savana 2500. 

The other stand-out features of the interiors are:

• Air conditioning
• Airbag deactivation switch, frontal passenger-side
• Assist handle
• Cargo tie-downs
• Cloth headliner
• Console, engine cover with open storage bin
• Cupholder
• Driver Information Center
• Driver and front passenger high-back bucket seats
• Driver and front passenger visors
• Front and side window defogger
• Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
• Interior lighting
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• Rubberized vinyl floor covering
• Trim panels
• Vinyl front bucket seats

Depending on your business use, you can actually decide to add racks or other arrangements from the factory itself to save time and effort to get it done later. Thanks to the various packages that are available during customization, the brand is very open to building it up to industry norms and offers you the best arrangement possible.

What is there to keep me entertained in the GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van?

When you are hauling around stuff, you might need directions to the destination more times than you might think. However, GMC was short-sighted in this aspect as they have provided a basic MP3 stereo player as the choice of the in-car entertainment system. Even during customization, there is no option for a navigation based touch screen system available. The stereo system comes flanked by 2-speakers, one in each door, which just reflects the pure minimalist arrangement. The highlights of the system are:

• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capable
• AM/FM stereo with seek-scan and digital clock
• MP3 playback capability
• Auxiliary jack connects portable media devices
• 2 front door speakers
• OnStar & GMC Connected Services capable

During customization, you can add Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports for about $150 extra. If you want to get a touchscreen system or anything of that sort, you are best left to the aftermarket parts to soup up the ride. But don’t get your hopes too high up because you might also end up getting disappointed if you don’t find one.

When you look at the Savana 2500, you might feel like looking at an old man wearing new clothing just to fit in for the new decade. GMC’s approach of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” seems to be the very mantra of the van’s existence. Look at it closely and you will be reminded of the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 that had a very similar front end. The broad halogen headlamps with an all-black or minimally chrome grille and bumpers remind you of the age that the van has.

However, if you rewind the clock a few years, the predecessor of the Savana 2500, the Vandura, was actually the choice of ride for Benjamin Gates and his comrades in the 2004 hit movie National Treasure. So, it's actually one that comes from its time on the silver screen.

Models	2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van	2021 Ford Transit 250 Low Roof Cargo Van	2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Low Roof Cargo Van
Curb Weight (lbs)	5,261	5,261	N/A	4,644
Length (inches)	224.1	224.1	219.9	213.7
Width (inches)	79.3	79.3	81.3	81.3
Height (inches)	84.8	84.8	82.3	92.8
Ground Clearance (inches)	8.6	8.6	N/A	6.9
Wheelbase (inches)	135.2	135.2	129.9	136.0

On the side, you might not find anything out of the ordinary. Being a mundane looking hauler, the design is nothing out of the ordinary and blends in pretty much anywhere without much effort. An added bonus is that since it does not stick out from the crowd, it doesn’t attract many eyeballs either. Though the standard arrangement on the doors is sliding, you can choose swing-out open doors or a window based design through the appearance packages.
The highlight features of the 2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo van are:

• 16-inch steel wheels with all-season tires
• 16-inch spare tire with spare tire carrier lock
• Manual adjustable black outside mirrors
• Black Bumpers
• Daytime Running Lamps
• Dual-halogen composite headlamps
• Variable Speed Front intermittent wipers
• Front license plate kit
• Solar-Ray light-tinted glass
• Swing-out passenger-side door
• Aluminized stainless-steel muffler and tailpipe

In terms of customization, you can pick up a lot of accessories both for the inside and external that can serve you different purposes. Ranging from aesthetics to the kind of doors and windows, you can choose which ones should adorn the van.

While the GMC Savana 2500 retains the yester-era look, the safety tech has surely been updated over the years. The standard safety suite is pretty bare-bones as is, however, if you make the changes during customization as we suggested, you can get a safe and sound vehicle that is more than ready for the new decade. Here is what the safety suite of the 2021 GMC Savana 2500 looks like at its best:

• 2 airbags
• Airbag deactivation switch, frontal passenger-side
• Airbag system
• Daytime Running Lamps
• Door beams, steel-side
• Forward Collision Alert
• Hill Start Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• OnStar & GMC Connected Services capable
• Rear Park Assist
• Rear Vision Camera
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• StabiliTrak, an electronic stability control system with traction control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Transmission/brake shift interlock
• Warning tones
• Theft Alert Notification
• Oil-life monitoring system
• Electrical theft-deterrent system (engine Immobilizer)

Though the GMC Savana 2500 Cargo has been around for some time now, the NHTSA has not tested the van for its safety standards. The IIHS has also given the Savana 2500 a miss. However, considering that GMC builds considerably sturdy vehicles, and the Savana being based on the Sierra platform, the van is still quite a safe proposition at all times.

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Vs 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van

The Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van is essentially the Savana 2500 in the Chevrolet branding. They are the same underneath and are based on the same platform, hence look the same as well. But the Savana 2500 is slightly costlier being the brand’s segmentation of the uptown carrier between the two. However, when it comes to it, we would recommend the Chevrolet Express 2500 as it allows you to save some money and yet get the same kind of prowess as the Savana 2500. 

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Vs 2021 Ford Transit 250 Cargo Van

The Ford Transit 250 proves yet again that a cargo van does not need to be boring or mundane. While it does not offer a performance streak, it does offer a much better ride quality, bigger cargo space, and the option of higher roofs which can increase the overall hauling capacity. That being said, it does miss out on the towing capacity in which the Savana 2500 leads by example. 

2021 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van Vs 2021 RAM Promaster 2500 Cargo Van

The RAM Promaster 2500 Cargo Van looks quite quirky and eccentric for a cargo van and is actually the best one of the lot. It comes with the maximum cargo volume, fairly modern interiors, a powerful engine, and the most room for the driver and the passenger. So, if you want a true upgrade in terms of value for money, the RAM Promaster 2500 Cargo van possesses the maximum payload capacity as well which is why it gets the cake overall.

The 2021 GMC Savana 2500 does try to deliver a lot, but with the brand’s clear disinterest in updating it for the modern-day and age, it misses the mark. The dated interiors along with the waning design and no updation of features all work against it. The saving grace comes only in the form of the lower price tag and the superior towing capacity. 

Hence, we would recommend you to look at the other alternatives that present a much better and feature-rich proposition in the price tag and in general, the segment.