Having been on sale since 2003 with only minor changes, the GMC Savana is beyond an old timer at this point in time. GMC has, however, updated the van with safety equipment and tech to keep it from feeling as old as it is. The van’s looks are a different story, but it’s not as if commercial work van styling has evolved much in the last 18 years.

Two main configurations are offered: 2500 or 3500. The Savana 3500 brings better payload and capabilities for a higher price. Both models are offered in either regular or extended wheelbase configurations. The Savana cargo van is only available with a single roof line, skipping the high-roof options that some of its competitors offer.

The Savana’s rivals have also moved on from the old-school work van format to more modern platforms with better ride quality and increased capability. Ford moved from the E-Series vans to the Transit in 2014, and Ram moved to the ProMaster. Both the Ford and the Ram are more customizable and offer better ride quality and handling than the Savana. The Ford Transit can also be configured with all-wheel drive (AWD), which the GMC cannot.

For the 2021 model year, GMC gave the Savana line a brand-new gas V8, which carries over to 2022 unchanged. The base engine is a 4.3-liter gas V6 that makes 276 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is a 6.6-liter unit that produces 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. A 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel four-cylinder engine is also available, rated at 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic and a six-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission are available.

The base Savana Cargo Work Van is every bit as basic as its name suggests. It comes standard with an AM/FM stereo, air conditioning, cargo tie downs, a cloth headliner, cupholders, OnStar, power windows and door locks, a rearview camera, and vinyl seats. Several options are available, including additional seats. Buyers can upgrade with five-passenger seating, USB inputs, Bluetooth, cloth seats, cruise control, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear air conditioning, and remote start.

Several "upfits" are available for the cargo van, including a Paratransit Package that converts the van to a handicap-accessible transport. Other upfits include an Ambulance Package, which adds the 6.6-liter V8, chrome exterior trim, a heavy-duty locking rear differential, cruise control, and more, and a Hotel Shuttle package. Available advanced safety equipment includes lane-departure warning, rear parking assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring.