Compare the2024 GMC Savana CargoVS 2023 Ford Transit Connect Van

Both the Savana Cargo and the Transit Connect 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The GMC Savana Cargo weighs 1548 to 2176 pounds more than the Ford Transit Connect Van. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Savana Cargo’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Transit Connect 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 Connect 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 114 more horsepower (276 vs. 162) and 154 lbs.-ft. more torque (298 vs. 144) than the Transit Connect Van’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Savana Cargo’s optional 6.6 V8 produces 239 more horsepower (401 vs. 162) and 320 lbs.-ft. more torque (464 vs. 144) than the Transit Connect Van’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Savana Cargo has 15.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Transit Connect Van (31 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Connect Van are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Savana Cargo has larger tires than the Transit Connect Van (245/75R16 vs. 215/55R16).

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 Connect Van only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB’s wheelbase is 14.6 inches longer than on the LWB Transit Connect Van (135.2 inches vs. 120.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Savana Cargo is 6.7 inches wider in the front and 6 inches wider in the rear than on the Transit Connect Van.

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

The Savana Cargo has 11.3 inches more front hip room and 11.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Transit Connect Van.

The Savana Cargo’s cargo area is larger than the Transit Connect Van’s in every dimension:

The Savana Cargo’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Connect Van’s (7100 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Transit Connect Van is only 2000 pounds. The Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB offers up to a 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Savana Cargo has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Transit Connect Van (3060 vs. 1270 lbs.).

The Savana Cargo has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Transit Connect Van (4280 vs. 1550 lbs.).

The engine in the Savana Cargo is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Transit Connect Van. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Savana Cargo offers an optional under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The Transit Connect Van doesn’t offer an under hood light.

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Savana Cargo to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Ford doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Transit Connect Van.

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 Connect Van does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Savana Cargo has standard power remote mirrors. The Transit Connect Van only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

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 Connect Van.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the Savana Cargo offers optional steering wheel controls for the radio. The Transit Connect Van doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

The Savana Cargo 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 Connect Van doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Savana Cargo will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Savana Cargo will retain 57.76% to 58.45% of its original price after five years, while the Transit Connect Van only retains 56.24% to 57.43%.

The GMC Savana outsold the Ford Transit Connect by 429 units during 2022.