Compare the2024 GMC Savana CargoVS 2023 Ford Transit Van

Both the Savana Cargo and the Transit Van 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.

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

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

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

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

The Savana Cargo’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Transit Van are solid, not vented.

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

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

The Savana Cargo 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 Van doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Savana Cargo 2500 155” WB’s wheelbase is 7.6 inches longer than on the Transit T-250 Long-EL (155.2 inches vs. 147.6 inches).

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

The Savana Cargo offers optional seating for 5 passengers; the Transit Van can only carry 2.

The Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB has .1 inches more front legroom, 4.8 inches more front hip room and 1 inch more front shoulder room than the Transit T-150 Long.

The Savana Cargo’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Van’s (7100 vs. 5100 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Transit Van is only 6900 pounds. The Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB offers up to a 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Savana Cargo’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 Van does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

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

Insurance will cost less for the Savana Cargo owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Savana Cargo will cost $1540 to $4990 less than the Transit Van over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Savana Cargo will be $6270 to $17772 less than for the Ford Transit Van.