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2025 GMC Savana

MSRP: $41,800

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Overview

The 2025 GMC Savana van is supposed to be the final model year of a van that's effectively stayed mostly unchanged for 30 years, since its launch in 1996. It's even more bare-bones this year, as its features are trimmed down in anticipation of its electric replacement. There are still two gas engines - a 4.3L V6 with 276 hp and a 6.6L V8 with 401 hp - with class-leading towing stats. It's about as basic as it gets, but the Savana will still appeal thos fleet operators looking for a simple, capable, and reliable full-size van.

What's New for 2025?

The 2025 Savana gains nothing this year, but it loses a bunch of features that will no longer be offered. These include the leather-trimmed steering wheel, steering-wheel controls, Wi-Fi hotspot, spray-in bedliner, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, the USB port, and USB audio. Despite this, prices are up.

Exterior

The Savana is still just a big old box on wheels, typical of the silhouette that has defined the American full-size fan for decades. It's a big box, too, measuring more than 224 inches long with the standard wheelbase, with another 20 inches added onto that for the long wheelbase. It stands just over 84 inches tall. Plain painted steel wheels fitted with all-season tires measure 16 inches, and the exterior can be jazzed up a tad by specifying the optional chrome appearance package. The Savana is practically identical to its Chevy Express twin, save for a GMC-specific grille, and can be had as either a cargo or passenger van. Only four paint colors are offered: Summit White, Onyx Black, Cardinal Red, and Quicksilver Metallic.

GMC
GMC GMC

Interior

The Spartan cabin looks like a LEGO construction with acres of hard plastics and straight lines everywhere. A big centrally mounted speedometer takes price of place in the analog gauge cluster, flanked by ancillary gauges, and there's no touchscreen of any kind to be had. The standard AM/FM stereo supports MP3 playback and comes with an auxiliary input, but only two door-mounted front speakers, even in the passenger variant, which comes in either 12- or 15-seat configurations. Vinyl covers the floor and seats.

The cargo van has a maximum cargo volume of 283.6 cu-ft and a maximum payload of 4,271 pounds in 3500 format with the long wheelbase. The passenger van maxes out at a cargo volume of 255.5 cu-ft and a payload of 3,427 pounds. Air conditioning is standard, and the passenger versions have access to rear air conditioning.

GMC
GMC GMC

Price Range and Best Value Trim

Trim Level

MSRP

Cargo 2500

$41,800

Cargo 2500 Extended

$43,700

Cargo 3500

$45,750

Cargo 3500 Extended

$46,550

Passenger LS 2500

$47,350

Passenger LS 3500

$48,550

Passenger LS 3500 Extended

$49,350

Best value: Cargo 2500 Extended

$43,700

Key Specs

Powertrain

Engine

HP

Torque

Transmission

Drivetrain

4.3L V6

276 hp

298 lb-ft

8-speed Auto

RWD

6.6L V8

401 hp

464 lb-ft

6-speed Auto

RWD

Fuel Economy (MPG)

EPA fuel economy ratings are not provided for heavy-duty commercial vehicles like the Savana.

Performance and Dimensions

Metric

Specification

Max Towing (V8)

10,000 lbs

Max Payload

4,271 lbs

Cargo Volume

239.4 - 283.6 cu ft

Fuel Tank

31 gallons

Warranty

GMC provides competitive warranty coverage with one complimentary dealer visit during the first year.

Coverage

Duration

Basic

3 years / 36,000 miles

Powertrain

5 years / 60,000 miles

Corrosion

6 years / 100,000 miles

Roadside Assistance

5 years / 60,000 miles

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Most affordable full-size van available
  • Class-leading 9,600-lb towing with V8
  • Proven reliability over three decades
  • Simple, easy-to-repair systems

Cons:

  • No Bluetooth, USB, or modern connectivity
  • Ancient interior design from 1996
  • No advanced safety features
  • Final model year with no direct successor

Verdict

At the 2025 GMC Savana's price of under $42K for the base cargo van, it's the most affordable full-size van by far. It stands uncontested for maximum utility at minimum cost, and far undercuts rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ram ProMaster on price, while still offering an excellent 10,000-pound towing capacity and 4,000-pound-plus payload.

The V6 suffices for most, but the potent 401-hp V8 is the one that really shrugs off big loads and trailers with ease. The 2500 model with the extended body offers the best value in the range, considering its 44-cu-ft-odd extra cargo capacity for not much more money. Fleet operators still love the Savana for its simplicity, reliability, and proven mechanicals. But if you want safety, tech, or Bluetooth, you're advised to look elsewhere. If the Savana works for you, hurry up, because it's not long for this world in its current form.

GMC
GMC GMC

Competitors

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Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 11:07 AM.

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