2020 GMC Savana Passenger

The 2020 GMC Savana van has two available models namely the 2500 Savana Passenger and the 3500 Savana Passenger both can be had in either the LS or the LT trims. While the 2500 Savana Passenger is only available in the regular wheelbase version, the 3500 Savana Passenger has an extended wheelbase option. Generally, the price of the van ranges starts from $35,000 and the standard features include 8-speed automatic transmission, a 4.3L V6 engine, and room for 12 passengers. Unfortunately, the van lacks AWD and comes only equipped with RWD.

Speaking of the trims, the LT trim includes more standard features that are available as optional on the LS trim. For an equal and fair comparison, the following table considers the LS and LT trim of the 2500 Savana Passenger Van. However, one can expect the outcome of the LS and LT trim in the 3500 model.

Which Trim should you buy?

The LT trim leaves the individual with much more standard features than the LS trim and is a definite winner even though it has a steep hike of a couple of grands. Therefore investing in the LT trim would make much more sense as there are more standard features available to make day-to-day life a little less cumbersome in this dinosaur of a van. The 3500 Savana Passenger LT trim can also be considered money well spent for those customers who require more passenger capacity (an increase of 12 to 15 seats) or extra cargo space.

The 2020 GMC Savana Passenger Van gets three powertrain options i.e. a 4.3L V6 Gas engine, a 6.0L V8 engine, and a 2.8L turbocharged diesel inline-4. The 4.3L V6 is good enough for 276 horses and 298 lb-ft of torque while the 6.0L V8 puts out 341 horses and 373 lb-ft of torque. As for the 2.8L turbocharged inline-4, you get a measly figure of 181 ponies and the highest 393 lb-ft of torque.

The GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express are similar to the umpteenth level mimicking each other’s performance as well. As for the other rivals Out of the above-compared models, the GMC Savana comes out leading the Power and Torque charts. However, customization of the engine of the Ford Transit and upgrading it to an FWD can transform the van into a really powerful one. As for the 0-60 mph or quarter-mile timing we don’t have all the figures available making it hard to make a comparison here.

2020 GMC Savana Ride and Handling

The 2020 GMC Savana rides on a body-on-frame chassis. The van is equipped with a Coil Spring front suspension and a Hypoid Drive rear suspension. This means this vehicle lacks agility and the old-school chassis can at times make the driver feel like he is driving a bulky and huge truck. The handling of the vehicle is average and the feedback on the steering wheel is less for a vehicle of this size. The suspension on the vehicle is not the best and absorbs small bumps with little efficiency making it a bit uncomfortable for the passengers to ride in this van on bumpy streets.

2020 GMC Savana Braking Performance

The massive passenger van weighing just under 6000 lbs can be daunting to reign back in control once the momentum builds up, but the 12.8-inch discs up front and 13-inch rotors at the back make the job much easier.The Savana Passenger Van also comes equipped with ABS on all four wheels to take care of any panic braking situation. 

Going by our experience we can conclude that the van can handle panic braking situations and will stop well within the average distance taken by the other vans in the foray. But making a sure shot statement is not possible because we don’t have an official figure for the same. As for the Ford and the Merc, both took the same distance of 139 feet to stop from 60-0 mph which is average by the segment standard.

This passenger van comes equipped with an enormous fuel tank capacity of 31 gallons. There are no official mileage figures available from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The average MPG provided by the Savana ranges from 13-16 MPG which would give you a fair idea of what to expect from this big and bulky people mover. But bear in mind that these figures can take a significant dip depending upon the load you put on the van.

In comparison to the other models, the GMC Savana Passenger Van provides a massive fuel tank. No official mileage figures are available from the EPA hence a comparison cannot be made here and thus we can’t say for sure that even with a bigger tank the GMC Savana or for that matter Chevrolet Express could give better or worse range when compared to the Mercedes Sprinter or the Ford Transit both which come with a smaller gas tank.

The 2020 GMC Savan’s interior is immensely roomy and commodious. The dashboard appears to be bulky and has a basic stereo with AM/FM and MP3 functionality. The cabin has three cup holders. Only the GMC 3500 Passenger Van provides the customer to upgrade the seating capacity and accommodate 15. The standard Savana 2500 van offers a standard seating capacity for 12 and is bereft of a high roof. It also offers an option to Leather-wrap the steering wheel and provides a rear climate control system.

Front seats are covered in vinyl but can be upgraded to cloth at a premium. On the flip side, the seats are large and comfortable enough for the passengers. Thus the van is strictly business with providing a bare minimum of what is needed to deem it livable for the buyer.

The infotainment system available on the GMC Savana is the most basic among the Vans segment. This van offers a basic audio setup with AM/FM, two speakers, and an MP3 player. Add-ons include SiriusXM satellite radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, USB charging port, and Bluetooth streaming. Though one cannot expect much out of a passenger van.Coming to the rivals, the GMC Savana has mediocre interior space as compared to others. However, this can change depending on the seating configuration. As for the cargo capacity the Mercedes Sprinter comes on top. Except for Ford Transit rest all offer seating for up to 12 passengers in standard configuration while in Transit you have seating for two lesser passengers.

The exterior of the GMC Savan looks like a cuboidal box on wheels even if we try the best of our fancy writing and imagination we can’t come up with any better description for this dinosaur of a van. Standard features list include a black grille, manual-folding ORVM, side opening doors, 16-inch wheels, and a halogen headlight setup with daytime running lights. 

Some exterior features offered by the Savana Passenger Van are:

• Swing-out Passenger Side Door,
• Swing-out Window glass,
• Solar-ray deep-tinted glass
• Assist Steps

If you neglect the height and the wheelbase part the GMC Savana is bigger than the Mercedes Sprinter. But those two dimensions matter a lot more height means more headspace for all passengers and more wheelbase directly translates to more interior space. The Ford Transit is the smallest in this comparison and also the wheelbase is below average making it clear why it only has seating for ten passengers and not twelve as the others in the first place.

Similar to its fuel-economy aspect, the safety parameters of vans like the 2020 Savana 2500 passenger are not rated by federal agencies like IIHS and NHTSA and add to that GMC Savana does not have an umpteenth number of safety features as the new modern technology has made it available even in entry-level cars. Basic safety features in the GMC Savan passenger van include steel-side door beams, daytime running lamps, airbags, LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control. 

Few features that stand out are:-

• Forward-Collision Warning
• Side blind-spot alert
• Rear parking assist
• Hill-Start assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS
• Transmission/brake shift interlock

2020 GMC Savana Passenger Van vs 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van

There is not much competition between the two vehicles, they are identical in all respects. They are equipped with the same features and are identical to each other in shape and size as well. The GMC Savana Passenger van is just a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Express Passenger van but what differentiates both the vans is the ownership cost which for Chevrolet is on the lower side compared to the GMC.

2020 GMC Savana Passenger Van vs 2020 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van

Just by reading the word Mercedes, certain pre-conceived notions about the company’s standards start to form in one’s mind and which is true in most cases. The Sprinter offers a much more extravagant experience to the passengers but all that comes at the cost of a price. However, the cheaper Savana has more power and towing capacity to level the competition from the upmarket Sprinter.

2020 GMC Savana Passenger Van vs 2020 Ford Transit XL Passenger Van

Ford Transit brings in a modern touch to the van segment whereas the GMC Savana holds on to the traditional herculean look and archaic technology. Ford Transit van can provide more comfort and a better experience for the passengers. The higher trims of the Ford also provide an AWD option for the van. To conclude, the GMC is a powerhouse and a budget-friendly option as compared to the Ford but you are going to miss out on a lot of features on the rather utilitarian and dinosaur-era Savana.

If you are looking for a passenger vehicle and do not have a budget constraint, the Mercedes Sprinter or for that matter Ford Transit both can easily provide you with comfort, entertainment, and modern technology. The higher trims of Ford can also offer AWD and up to 400hp. The Mercedes Sprinter is a good option if you are looking for sumptuous interiors. But if you are searching for a budget van that does not dig a hole in your pockets, the GMC Savana Passenger Van would be a good choice and a decent proposition.