2013 GMC Savana Cargo Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2013 GMC Savana Cargo van, built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Express Cargo van at the General Motors Wentzville, Mo.,...

The 2013 GMC Savana Cargo van, built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Express Cargo van at the General Motors Wentzville, Mo., assembly plant, has remained virtually unchanged for nearly a decade, with no changes made between the 2012 and 2013 model years. Similar to the Express, the Savana Cargo is available in a variety of engine configurations that can handle a variety of fuels, making it a smart choice for those buyers looking for a solid commercial van.

The 2013 GMC Savana Cargo van can be built in 10 different trims: the 1500, 2500, 3500, 2500 Ext. and 3500 Ext., which are all rear-wheel drive (RWD) and can handle Flex Fuel (except the 1500, which runs only on regular gas); the 1500 AWD, which is all-wheel drive and can take Flex Fuel; and the 2500 Diesel, 3500 Diesel, 2500 Ext. Diesel and 3500 Ext. Diesel, which are all RWD and run on diesel gasoline. The RWD 1500 trim is built with a 4.3-liter V6 engine that achieves 195 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 1500 AWD trim comes is packaged with a Vortec 5.3-liter V8 SFI engine that makes 310 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque. The 2500, 3500, 2500 Ext., and 3500 Ext. all are configured with a Vortec 4.8-liter V8 SFI engine that achieves 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. All diesel trims are factory equipped with a Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine that makes 260 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. All trims except the 1500s are paired with a Hydra-Matic 6-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission, while 1500 trims are mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

All regular-wheelbase 2013 GMC Savana Cargo trims have a standard wheelbase of 135 inches and 239.7 cubic feet of cargo space. All Savana Cargo Ext. vans have a 155-inch wheelbase and 284.4 cubic feet of space available. The 4.3-liter V6 engine-equipped trim is rated at 17 mpg city/20 highway by the EPA. The 4.8-liter V8 engine-equipped trims are rated to reach 13/17, while the 5.3-liter V8 engine is estimated to achieve 15/18 on regular gas and 11/13 with Flex Fuel. The 6.0-liter V8 engines have been rated at 10/15 running on regular gas and 7/11 on Flex Fuel. The diesel engines have not been rated as of publication date.

The 2013 GMC Savana Cargo does not come with a lot of interior or exterior options. The base trims all have air conditioning, power locks, power steering, 4-way manual adjustable driver and passenger seats, vinyl seating surfaces, a dual-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio, halogen headlights and 16-inch steel wheels. Some of the options that can be added, depending on trim choice, include front and rear air conditioning, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel, bucket seats with cloth seating surfaces, power-adjustable driver's and passenger seats, heated exterior mirrors, AM/FM radio and in-dash single-CD player, voice-activated navigation, rear window defogger, remote keyless entry and a roof rack.

All trims of the 2013 GMC Savana Cargo come equipped with frontal driver and passenger airbags, head and side curtain airbags, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, a stability control system, daytime running lights, tire pressure monitoring system and a theft-deterrent system.

Competing against the likes of the Express and the Ford Econoline Cargo—which is entering its last model year—the 2013 GMC Savana Cargo is a sound choice for those looking for a cargo van with plenty of space, decent fuel mileage and a variety of powertrain choices.