2001 GMC Safari GMC Safari 2001 GMC Safari SLE RWD Passenger Minivan Wagon RWD Baltimore, MD Safari gets still more engineering enhancements for its 4.3-liter V6, and higher-output alternators. Door locks have been improved for increased security and remote keyless entry has been made standard on Passenger Van models. To reduce build complexity, preferred equipment groups have been revised and trim levels cut from three to two. Standard eight-passenger seating, 6,000-pound trailer rating, torquey V6. Boxy design, poor fuel economy, intrusive engine cover makes for small footwells. Because of their traditional-type full-frame construction and standard rear-drive layout, Safaris are most adept at heavy hauling and burly trailer towing. This is one of the very few minivans (GMC calls it a midsize) on the market that can combine over 6,000 pounds of trailering capacity with room for eight people. That's also a good reason why a Cargo Van model is offered, with stripped-out interior ready for upfitting into a workhorse service van -- complete with tool racks or parts bins. Not everyone will relish the truck-like ride over harsh road surfaces, but it's not bad when the highway smoothes out. Don't expect top-notch fuel mileage, though, despite a continually improved powertrain. GM's 4300 Vortec V6 is standard, sporting more durable camshaft bearings, a lighter starter that requires less current from the battery to crank the engine and a new, more advanced powertrain control module. The 4.3-liter sends 190 horsepower and a healthy 250 foot-pounds of torque to an electronically controlled, four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, equipped with a tow/haul mode for improved performance under loads. Long-life engine coolant and spark plugs help keep maintenance costs to a minimum. All-wheel-drive versions have GM's AutoTrac transfer case, which automatically transfers power to the front axle when rear-wheel slippage is detected. While the base Cargo Van is the darling of commercial and fleet customers, the Passenger Van is what draws retail buyers. Thanks to some repackaging to reduce the number of build combinations, Safaris now come in just two trim levels, a well-equipped SLE and top-of-the line SLT, with a third-row bench and eight-passenger seating standard (though opting for center-row buckets cuts seating to seven). Instead of the typical minivan lift-up rear door, GMC offers right- and left-hand rear load doors, with the option of choosing "dutch" doors (standard on SLT), which feature a liftglass and a split tailgate. Three different preferred equipment groups now contain 34 distinct features as standard or optional equipment, helping make the long-aging Safari a solid value. Dual airbags are housed in an artfully styled dashboard, and four-wheel disc/drum antilock brakes are standard. So are features such as speed-sensitive power steering, delayed interior lighting, twin under-seat rear-passenger heating ducts, overhead reading lamps, various built-in cupholders and storage bins and three power outlets. Insiders say that Safari's days (and those of its Chevy Astro sister) are numbered. But for now, whether your choice is simple rear-drive or full-time all-wheel drive, Safaris still enjoy the rare ability to handle the kinds of towing/hauling tasks that pose problems for modern front-drive minivans. And when the need to transport people dictates that eight is just enough, the Safari is packaged to be just right. Chevrolet Astro Chrysler Voyager Dodge Caravan Mazda MPV 336,000 336,000 336,000 6100,000 NA NA NA 6 4.3 liters V6 190 hp @ 4400 rpm 250 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm 170 cu.ft. 1764 lbs. 5500 lbs. 189.8 in. 77.5 in. 75 in. 4323 lbs. 111.2 in. 40.5 ft. 7 in. 39.2 in. 37.9 in. NA NA NA NA 41.6 in. 36.5 in. 8 Standard Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Average Rating = Good Not Tested Not Tested Poor Marginal 27 gal. 16 mpg / 21 mpg 432 mi. / 567 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $21,033 $23,241 7.35% $655 N/A 3% of the Total MSRP SLE RWD PASSENGER (4A): 4.3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed OD electronic automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 600 amp battery with rundown protection; engine oil cooler; 105 amp alternator; transmission oil cooler; rear-wheel drive, 3.42 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rigid rear axle leaf spring suspension; recirculating ball power steering with vehicle-speed sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; 27 gal. capacity fuel tank; front license plate bracket, side impact bars; roof rack; 3 doors with sliding right rear passenger door, split swing out rear cargo door; trailer harness; front and rear body-colored bumpers with rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside cladding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully automatic headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual black foldingoutside mirrors; 15" x 6.5" chrome-cladded styled steel wheels; P215/75SR15 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio radio with clock, seek-scan feature, single CD player, 8 speakers, auto equalizer, theft deterrent, fixed antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks; 4 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, compass, exterior temp, trip odometer, trip computer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, turn signal on; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm; deep tinted windows, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip; seating capacity of 8, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and frontpassenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; removable full folding 2nd row bench seat with adjustable headrests; removable full folding 3rd row bench seat with adjustable headrest; height adjustable front seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full color-keyed carpet floor covering with rubber front and rear floor mats, deluxe sound insulation; interior lights include dome light with delay front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; day/night rearview mirror; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; engine cover console with storage, full overhead console with storage, front and rear cupholders, interior concealed storage, 2 seatback storage pockets driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles. AWD PASSENGER (4A) (in addition to or instead of RWD PASSENGER VAN (4A) equipment): Full-time AWD and 3.42 axle ratio.