Compare the2023 Ford Transit WagonVS 2023 GMC Savana

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Transit Wagon has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Savana offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Transit Wagon has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Savana doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Transit Wagon offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Savana doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Transit Wagon offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Savana doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Transit Wagon’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Savana.

The Transit Wagon offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Savana only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Transit Wagon’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Savana doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Transit Wagon’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Savana doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Transit Wagon uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Savana uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Transit Wagon and the Savana have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights and blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

The Transit Wagon’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Savana’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 79 percent more Ford dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Transit Wagon’s warranty.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Transit Wagon have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engines in the Savana.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Wagon has a standard 250-amp alternator (500-amp - Transit Wagon optional). The Savana’s standard 150-amp alternator and largest (optional) 220-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, GMC is rated lower.

Engine

The Transit Wagon’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 34 more horsepower (310 vs. 276) and 102 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 298) than the Savana’s standard 4.3 V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Transit Wagon 3.5 EcoBoost’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Savana doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Transit Wagon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Savana doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Transit Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Savana.

Tires and Wheels

The Transit Wagon’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Savana’s standard 75 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Transit Wagon has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Savana’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Transit Wagon has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Savana.

The Transit Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Savana doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Transit Wagon’s wheelbase is 12.8 inches longer than on the Savana 2500 135” WB (148 inches vs. 135.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Transit 350 Long’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Savana 2500 135” WB’s (47.8 feet vs. 49.2 feet).

Chassis

Unibody construction makes the Transit Wagon’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The Savana doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The Transit 350 Long has 2.7 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 4 inches more third row hip room and 1.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Savana 2500 135” WB.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Transit Wagon XLT’s middle and third row seats recline. The Savana’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Transit 350 Long’s cargo area provides more volume than the Savana 2500 135” WB.

	Transit Wagon	Savana
Behind Third Seat	124.5 cubic feet	92.1 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	245.1 cubic feet	218.5 cubic feet

The Transit 350HD Long-EL’s cargo area provides more volume than the Savana 3500 155” WB.

	Transit Wagon	Savana
Behind Third Seat	230 cubic feet	127.2 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	414.1 cubic feet	255.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Transit Wagon easier. The Transit 350 Long’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.7 inches, while the Savana 2500 135” WB’s liftover is 31.9 inches. The Transit 350HD Long-EL’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28 inches, while the Savana 3500 155” WB’s liftover is 32.2 inches.

The Transit Wagon’s cargo area is larger than the Savana’s in every dimension:

	Transit 350 Long	Transit 350HD Long-EL	Savana 2500 135” WB	Savana 3500 155” WB
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	141.7”	170.2”	57.2”/89.1”/126.2”	77.5”/109.4”/146.1”
Min Width	53.7”	53.7”	50.4”	50.9”
Height	52.8”	77”	51.8”	51.8”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Transit Wagon. The Savana doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Payload and Towing

Standard Trailer Stability Control on the Transit Wagon uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Savana doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Transit Wagon has a higher standard payload capacity than the Savana (2722 vs. 2550 lbs.).

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Transit Wagon has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Savana doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Transit Wagon’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Savana’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Transit Wagon’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Savana’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Transit Wagon’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Savana doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Intelligent Access optional on the Transit Wagon allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The GMC Savana doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Transit Wagon’s optional power passenger’s side sliding door makes it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Savana doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The Transit Wagon’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Savana’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Transit Wagon has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Savana doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Transit Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Savana’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Transit Wagon’s optional high intensity discharge (HID) headlights provide a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using less power than the Savana’s halogen headlights. HID units last two to six times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Transit Wagon detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Savana doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Transit Wagon’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Savana doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Transit Wagon offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Savana.

The Transit Wagon XLT has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Savana doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Transit Wagon XLT has a standard center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Savana doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Transit Wagon offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Savana doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Transit Wagon, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Savana.

The Transit Wagon’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Savana doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Ford Transit outsold the GMC Savana by almost four to one during the 2022 model year.