The 2009 GMC Savana is the GMC version of a cargo van, competing with Ford Express Wagon, Dodge Sprinter Wagon and Chevrolet Express, as well as some foreign vehicles based on the Sprinter. The Savana comes in three sizes. Smallest is the G1500 half ton. Up from that are the G2500 three-quarter ton and the G3500 one ton. Each comes in two trim levels, LS and LT. All three models have 204 cubic feet of cargo space and three doors. No major body changes have been made recently.

Savana gets five-star front crash ratings from NHTSA, but only three-star rollover ratings, which is to be expected for the type of vehicle it is. It has a 36 month/36,000 mile basic warranty, but a 60 month/100,000 mile warranty on the power train.

The G1500 comes in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It carries a 301 horsepower 5.3 liter V8 engine matched with a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. It gets thirteen miles per gallon city and sixteen miles per gallon highway.

G2500 comes in rear-wheel drive, only. It gets an upgunned 319 horsepower, 6.0 liter V8 engine with the same transmission as the G1500.

The G3500 is the only van that comes with extended, as well as the regular wheelbase. Like the others, it comes in either LS or LT. The extension gives the G3500 an extra 32 cubic feet of cargo space, for a total of 236 cubic feet. Like the G2500, the G3500 comes only in rear-wheel drive and gets the 6.0 liter engine with the same four-speed automatic transmission. Fuel efficiency numbers are not required on the two larger model vans and are not available.

The LS model comes standard with air conditioning, antilock brakes, stability control, traction control and driver, passenger and side airbags. Optional features include power windows, power door locks and a CD player. LT has the same standard features as the LS plus the power windows and power door locks are standard. The CD player is still optional and you can get optional power seats.

This is strictly a work truck, though, so don't bother looking for such niceties as a sunroof, leather seats or a navigation system, though the latter might actually be functional.

When tricked out for passengers the LS version seats eight. LT can haul twelve and the extended wheelbase can carry fifteen in either version.

Base price for the G1500 LS is $27,780. For the G2500 it is $28,885 and for the G3500 regular wheelbase $31,184. Extended wheelbase has a base price of $33,054. You'll pay about four thousand more for four-wheel drive. LT raises the price a couple thousand on the G1500 and G2500, less on the two G3500 models.