Compare the2024 GMC SavanaVS 2023 Ford Transit Wagon

Both the Savana and the Transit Wagon 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 collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Savana, with its three-star roll-over rating, is 8.4% to 22.3% less likely to roll over than the Transit Wagon, which received a one-star to two-star rating.

The Savana’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Transit Wagon’s (6 vs. 5 years).

The Savana has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Transit Wagon doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the van’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

The Savana’s standard 4.3 V6 produces 1 more horsepower (276 vs. 275) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (298 vs. 260) than the Transit Wagon’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Savana’s optional 6.6 V8 produces 91 more horsepower (401 vs. 310) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (464 vs. 400) than the Transit Wagon’s optional 3.5 turbo V6.

The Savana has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Transit Wagon’s standard fuel tank (31 vs. 25 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Savana’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Transit Wagon:

The Savana’s brakes have 63% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the Transit Wagon (482 vs. 296 square inches), so the Savana has more braking power available.

For better traction, the Savana has larger tires than the Transit Wagon (245/75R16 vs. 235/65R16).

The GMC Savana’s wheels have 8 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ford Transit Wagon only has 6 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Savana has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Transit Wagon doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Savana 3500 155” WB’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Transit Wagon (155.1 inches vs. 148 inches).

The Savana is shorter than the Transit Wagon, making the Savana easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

The Savana 2500 135” WB has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.8 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more third row legroom than the Transit 350 Long.

The Savana’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Wagon’s (6300 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Transit Wagon is only 4600 pounds. The Savana 2500 135” WB offers up to a 9600 lbs. towing capacity.

The Savana 3500 155” WB has a higher standard payload capacity than the Transit 350HD 4x4 (3210 vs. 3019 lbs.).

The Savana 3500 135” WB has a higher optional payload capacity than the Transit 350HD (3540 vs. 3494 lbs.).

The Savana’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Transit Wagon does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Savana’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Transit Wagon.

The Savana’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Transit Wagon’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Savana has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the dashboard, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Transit Wagon doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Savana owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Savana will cost $1980 to $4735 less than the Transit Wagon over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Savana will be $7391 to $15581 less than for the Ford Transit Wagon.