2003 Chevrolet Savana Van. 2nd generation
The Chevrolet (or GMC) Savana is a full-size van or minivan that has been produced under the GMC brand since 1996. It can have both rear and four-wheel drive. The Savana is a passenger car for long journeys of a very large family, a group of friends or the whole office of business travelers. For 25 years of its existence, the car had only two generations due to the initially excellent build quality. Israeli buyers can currently purchase the second generation model released in 2003 (as of 2021).
It should be noted that Israeli buyers can purchase the Chevrolet Savana Van, which is known in the world as the GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express. These models are almost identical. The second generation Chevrolet Savana is a well-built car, which accommodates up to 15 passengers in a bus format and capable towing up to 4.5 tons. The vehicle is fully capable of performing its tasks, mainly completely utilitarian ones. The Savana formally has two generations that haven’t undergone any restyling, but the 2003 Savana is very different from the 2021 Savana. The van is subject to constant modernization, improvement and renovation. But the concept of the van for all occasions remains the same.
Handy vehicle
In 2003, the manufacturer introduced the second generation model, and despite the use of some old components, it became a big step forward compared to its predecessor, which is not surprising, since the first generation was launched in the mid-90s. The Chevrolet Savana has always been available for personal use by ‘ordinary’ people in developed countries, but the van was primarily used as a bus for schools, hotels, transportation of employees, as a base for ambulance and so on. Accordingly, the vehicle design offered great opportunities for re-equipment for any tasks. The driver’s compartment was also practical, featuring a functional dashboard with no frills… At the same time, the Savana interior could be extremely luxurious, although the entry-level version was only very convenient.
The 2018/2019 Chevrolet Savana for the first time had a four-wheel drive, which made the model even more popular, as people started buying it as a vehicle and at the mountain resorts. The independent front axle provided sufficient comfort for the driver, while the one-piece rear axle was strong enough to withstand heavy loads. The Savana came with a manual or automatic transmission. The van came with a standard wheelbase (3.4 meters) in the half-ton (Savana 1500), three-quarter-ton (Savana 2500) and one ton (Savana 3500) configurations, as well as with a longer wheelbase (3.9 meters) only for the 3500 version.
The Savana formally has two generations that haven’t undergone any restyling, but the 2003 Savana is very different from the 2021 Savana. The van is subject to constant modernization, improvement and renovation.
The 2019/2020 Chevrolet Savana has two interior trim levels: LS and LT. The LS models are equipped with air conditioning, AM/FM stereo and theft protection system. More convenient LT models can boast climate control on the rear seats, power windows and door locks, tissue upholstery, cruise control, adjustable steering wheel and keyless entry. Additional equipment, depending on the model, includes swing doors from the driver side, sliding door from the passenger side, driver’s seat and front passenger seat, alloy discs and a modernized sound system with a 6-disk CD changer. But these are basic options, and the vehicle design allows you to implement the wildest fantasies in the cabin. The private owners usually turn their Savanas into a means of long journeys with the highest possible comfort. The van can also be transformed into a house on wheels, although it is low for this purpose. But it has a very solid construction.
Interior and design
The exterior is quite humble and needs to be improved, as it is initially a simple more or less aerodynamic parallelepiped with headlights on wheels. No frills, but all windows and doors are in place. The basic interior of the 2020/2021 Chevrolet Savana is convenient and neat, built for clean functionality. The van is quite spacious, offering a good layout of seats and controls. However, the legroom may be not enough in the maximum 15-seater version.
Engines and chassis
The second generation Savana is equipped with the powerful Vortec engines. The 1500 models are powered by a 4.3-liter V6 with 195 hp and a 5.3-liter V8 with 295 hp. The 2500 models come standard with a 4.8-liter V8 engine producing 285 hp. The 3500 models come standard with a 6-liter V8 producing 300 hp. All engines are complemented by a 4-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity for the 1500s is 2.9 tons, the 2500s can tow up to 3.6 tons, and the 3500s can tow 4.5 tons. The van is not particularly maneuverable and does not accelerate quickly. But it is stable and tireless over a long distance at an average pace.
The 2020/2021 Chevrolet Savana comes to Israel with a 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engine producing 181 hp, supplemented with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is rear-wheel drive, featuring an independent spring suspension at the front and a dependent spring suspension at the rear.
Safety
The safety of the Chevrolet Savana is based on a reinforced frame, enlarged anti-roll bars, rack and pinion steering (only for half-ton models) and a braking system. All second generation models are fitted as standard with antilock disc brakes on all four wheels, front passenger detection and more. The heavy-duty models can have an optional manual airbag deactivation switch for the front passenger. The StabiliTrak is standard on 3500 vans.
2021 Chevrolet Savana
By 2021, the 25-year-old Savana still comes in the second generation, but without the 1500 version, which was discontinued in 2014. The basic 2500 and 3500 versions are still reliable workhorses with great transformation possibilities for various tasks. By the way, the new Chevrolet Savana is one of the last full-size vans built on a ladder frame chassis, like a full-size pickup, which makes it stronger. However, the entry-level version of the Savana has a very boring and old-fashioned design, which makes it look like a ‘maniac’ van. Therefore, this vehicle is inferior to such models as the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Although all of them are also not examples of automotive beauty.
In 2021, the Chevrolet Savana is offered with a 4.3-liter V6 engine with 276 hp, 6.6-liter V8 engine with 401 hp and a progressive 2.8-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel engine with 181 hp (but with an impressive 369 Nm of torque), which is supplied to Israel. The V6 and diesel engines are accompanied by an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the V8 engine is accompanied by a 6-speed automatic transmission.
By 2021, the 25-year-old Savana still comes in the second generation, but without the 1500 version, which was discontinued in 2014. The basic 2500 and 3500 versions are still reliable workhorses with great transformation possibilities for various tasks.
In 2021, the interior of the entry-level Savana 2500 and Savana 3500 is functional and comfortable, featuring 12-15 large seats. The LS version has front and rear air conditioning, power windows, electronic locks, AM/FM sound system with MP3, cruise control. The higher LT trim level also features a keyless entry and several additional modern options.
The cargo versions of the 2021 Chevrolet Savana offer more than 8 cubic meters of usable space. It is worth noting that cargo vans should be offered to customers untouched and empty, as it is assumed that the owner will equip the van in accordance with their purposes. But all the Savanas have a cargo or loading door on the passenger side. The cargo van does not have a touch screen on the dashboard (the passenger does), but there is Wi-Fi 4G and Bluetooth, the myGMC mobile application (can block the car).
In 2021, the Savana comes with many of the most advanced safety options, including:
- Forward Collision Warning System;
- Lane Departure Warning System;
- Side Blind Spot Alert System;
- Parking Assist and much more.
The Chevrolet Savana is traditionally a safe car. However, in 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not publish crash test data for the latest version of the vehicle.
