2004 GMC Safari Trims and Specs

No changes this year to the base model of the 2004 GMC Safari Passenger Van. The Safari STD seats eight people in three rows of seats and holds anywhere from 40 to 170 cubic feet of cargo when the back two rows are folded down. Power comes from a 4.3-liter, 190-hp V6 that delivers 250 lb-ft of torque with a 4-speed automatic. the rear-wheel drive mid-sized van can tow up to 5400 pounds with its optional trailer hitch. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and dual front airbags are standard. Traction control isn't offered, but a locking differential is available.

Full power features, including power mirrors are included in the 2004 Safari STD Passenger van. Riding on 16-inch alloy wheels, the van also offers cruise control, intermittent wipers, power steering, tinted windows, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, and a radio. A CD player, keyless entry, and rear climate control are optional. A rough ride, low 15/20 mpg, and lack of options are common complaints, but owners like the handling, reliability, and interior space.

The mid-line offering in the minivan lineup is the 2004 GMC Safari SLE, which adds a few more standard features to what you find on the base model. The rear-wheel drive minivan is powered by a 4.3-liter, 190-hp V6 and 4-speed automatic with tow/haul mode. Rear-wheel drive and the truck platform allows up to 5400 pounds of towing with an optional trailer hitch, and an optional roof rack adds more storage space. Three rows of seats inside fit eight people, and the rear rows can be folded down to quadruple the 40 cubic feet of storage space. Automatic headlights, daytime running lights, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, and dual front airbags are standard safety features. A locking differential can be added.

The 2004 GMC Safari SLE Passenger Van adds keyless entry, a CD player, and a security system to the power features, cruise control, air conditioning, intermittent wipers, privacy glass, and tilt steering wheel that already exist from the base model. A longer list of options accompany the SLE and include a power driver's seat, rear climate and audio control, a rear window wiper, and a trip computer. Drivers like the good use of space, but wish the van got better than 15/20 mpg and had a more updated interior.

Adding all-wheel drive to the 2004 GMC Safari STD Passenger Van also gets you a limited slip center differential. Though not used for pure off-roading, the mid-sized minivan that seats eight in three rows uses the AWD to handle tricky road situations capably. Added safety comes from 16-inch tires, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, and dual front airbags. The minivan earns three and four stars in front impact tests and five stars in side impact, but only a poor overall rating from the Insurance Institute. Traction control and side airbags are not available, but you can add a locking differential.

Automatic headlights and daytime running lights are other nice safety touches. Access to the rear seats comes via a manual sliding passenger side door, and access to the 40 cubic feet of cargo space is via dual rear doors. Dutch doors can be substituted, with a rear window that opens separately. A roof rack can also be added. Full power features, cruise control, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, and a radio are all standard on the base model, with options for remote entry, a CD player, and rear climate control.

For more confidence in cold climates or rough weather, the 2004 GMC Safari SLE AWD Passenger Van adds automatic all-wheel drive, which defaults to the rear wheels, but then apportions torque according to what wheels need it most. A limited slip center differential is included, and a locking differential can be added. 4-wheel ABS brakes, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and dual front airbags are also included and earn 3 and 4 stars in crash test ratings. Traction control is not offered.

The 2004 Safari SLE AWD seats eight in three rows, with 40 cubic feet of available space that expands to 170 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A roof rack is optional. Dual rear doors with a fixed window can be replaced with Dutch doors that feature a rear window that opens upward. Full power features, a CD player, keyless entry, a security system, cruise control, intermittent wipers, and tilt steering are standard in the SLE AWD, but you can add a power driver's seat, rear climate and audio control, a trip computer, rear window wiper, and running boards. A camper package is also offered.

The top of the line trim in the truck-based minivan, the 2004 GMC Safari SLT is rear-wheel drive and therefore able to haul up to 5400 pounds with an optional trailer hitch. A 4.3-liter, 190-hp V6 is coupled with a 4-speed automatic and delivers 250 lb-ft of torque. The 2004 Safari SLT rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and comes with 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and dual front airbags.

The SLT beefs up the interior comfort for up to eight passengers in three rows of seats. A power driver's seat, rear audio controls, and front and rear climate control are standard on the SLT in addition to full power features, intermittent front and rear wipers, cruise control, remote entry, overhead console, privacy glass, a security system, and a CD player. Unlike the other trims, a roof rack is standard on the 2004 Safari SLT. Leather seats can be added, along with second row captain's chairs, reducing seating to seven passengers. Other options are running boards, a locking differential, and a camper package.

Passenger comfort and extra road grip combine in the 2004 GMC Safari SLT AWD, the high-end version of the truck-based minivan, featuring all-wheel drive and a limited slip center differential. Along with 16-inch wheels, ABS brakes, and dual front airbags, the eight-passenger minivan earns five stars in side impact tests, but only three and four in frontal tests. Automatic headlights and daytime running lights are also included, but traction control is not available. A locking differential is optional.

The 2004 Safari SLT AWD comes with a 4.3-liter, 190-hp V6 engine and 4-speed automatic. There is a sliding side passenger door and dual rear doors. Dutch doors, with an independent rear window, can be added. Full power features, including a power driver's seat, automatic climate control with rear controls, front and rear audio controls for the CD player, cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, a security system, and keyless entry are all standard in the SLT AWD. Second and third row benches fold for up to 170 cubic feet of cargo room, and a roof rack is also included. Captain's chairs can substitute for the second row bench only in the SLT. Drivers love the spacious interior, but want better than 15/20 mpg.