2012 & 2013 GMC Van Reviews & Ratings

American company General Motors (GMC) has kept pretty much the same full-size van lineup since 1996, when it introduced the GMC Savana, which replaced the GMC Vandura at this time. The Savana van is very similar to GM-owned Chevy brand's Chevrolet Express, which outsells it by more than three-to-one. Together, these vehicles hold slightly less than half the full-size American van market, as they are surpassed by the Ford E-Series. The Savana has gotten several updates over the past few years,... (full review continues below)

American company General Motors (GMC) has kept pretty much the same full-size van lineup since 1996, when it introduced the GMC Savana, which replaced the GMC Vandura at this time. The Savana van is very similar to GM-owned Chevy brand's Chevrolet Express, which outsells it by more than three-to-one. Together, these vehicles hold slightly less than half the full-size American van market, as they are surpassed by the Ford E-Series. The Savana has gotten several updates over the past few years, including improved sheetmetal materials and stability control (in passenger variants). The Savana cargo variant is used by workers such as plumbers and electricians to haul a variety of bulky items. In the UK and Netherlands, the Savana has several unique functions, and is used as a police van and an ambulance. In addition to its ability to haul large materials, the Savana also comes in a passenger variant, which is capable of holding eight-to-fifteen people, depending on the specific model. Savana vans have served in various roles: such as ambulances, towing vehicles, school buses, handicap-accessible vans, and motor homes.

For the 2012 year, the GMC Savana van again comes in both passenger and commercial variants, which also come with several trim options: the LS 1500, the LS 2500, the LS 3500, and a diesel LS 3500 variant, which have a starting MSRP range of $28.940- $44,965 (with the diesel costing quite a bit more than the standard variants). All of these trims are available in both the commercial and passenger Savana vans (however, the passenger and cargo are differentiated by 1LT and 1Ls and WT labels), and even more specific sub-trims are available as well.

The Passenger Van Savana holds up-to fifteen passengers and is classified as a full -size van. A carryover from the 2011 model year, it's available in an amazing total of fourteen trims. The LS G1500 Regular Wheelbase with rear-wheel-drive is the lowest trim and features a 5.3-liter, V8 engine that produces 310 horsepower. This engine is a flexible fuel engine that works in tandem with a four-speed automatic transmission, featuring overdrive. The passenger Savana van has fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city/ 17 mpg highway. The highest trim, LT G3500 Wheel base Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) Diesel features a turbo, diesel 6.6-liter V8 engine that produces 260 horsepower, which works in conjunction with a six-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive feature. The Savana Passenger van is great for carrying passengers in all sorts of situations, and doing it safely.

The 2012 Savana Cargo van holds such helpful features as oil life and tire pressure monitoring systems, halogen headlamps, several air bags, high-back bucket seats, hinged rear and side door panels, a swing-out passenger side door, seventeen-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, side window defoggers, a stability control system, a three-year Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, a Corrosion Protection Warranty, a Powertrain Limited Warranty, and a standard Roadside Assistance Program. Overall, the Savana Cargo is a cost efficient and reliable way to tow any equipment necessary.