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2004 GMC Safari Full Review
Date Published: 11/23/08
Also in the 2004 GMC Safari Review:
2004 GMC Safari Review
GMC's version of the Chevrolet Astro is unchanged for 2004. Safari comes in one body length with a passenger-side sliding door, plus a 4.3-liter V6, automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, and rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Seating for up to eight is available. Available are side-by-side rear cargo doors or optional Dutch doors with separate-opening upper glass and side-by-side lower doors. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Traction control and side airbags are unavailable. Safari and Astro are America's only truck-based minivans, with a basic design that dates from the 1980s.
News
Safari and Chevy cousin Astro hang on for one more year, but won't be back for '06. Reports say no replacement is planned.
2004 GMC Safari Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Passenger and cargo room | Fuel economy |
| Trailer-towing capability | Entry/exit |
| Ride | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Torquey V6 and smooth transmission deliver sufficient acceleration and passing response. Truck-based body-on-frame design allows 5800-lb towing capacity, versus 3500 or less for most front-drive minivans.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.6 |
Torquey V6 and smooth transmission deliver sufficient acceleration and passing response. Truck-based body-on-frame design allows 5800-lb towing capacity, versus 3500 or less for most front-drive minivans.
Fuel Economy
Don't expect to average more than 15 mpg--even less with AWD. GM recommends regular fuel.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 |
Don't expect to average more than 15 mpg--even less with AWD. GM recommends regular fuel.
Ride Quality
Not as smooth as front-drive competitors, with some pounding and pitching over pavement irregularities.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 5.7 |
Not as smooth as front-drive competitors, with some pounding and pitching over pavement irregularities.
Steering/Handling/Braking
More maneuverable and agile than full-size vans, but far less carlike than front-drive minivans. Steering response surprisingly good. Standard antilock 4-wheel-disc brakes are a plus.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 4.6 |
More maneuverable and agile than full-size vans, but far less carlike than front-drive minivans. Steering response surprisingly good. Standard antilock 4-wheel-disc brakes are a plus.
Quietness
More road and wind noise than sleeker car-based minivans, but not objectionable given the boxy body design.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 5.2 |
More road and wind noise than sleeker car-based minivans, but not objectionable given the boxy body design.
Controls
Unobstructed gauges and mostly accessible, smooth-working switchgear. Optional audio system with separate rear channel is great for kids, but no DVD entertainment available. Cabin decor dull even in dressed-up models.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.1 |
Unobstructed gauges and mostly accessible, smooth-working switchgear. Optional audio system with separate rear channel is great for kids, but no DVD entertainment available. Cabin decor dull even in dressed-up models.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Entry/exit hampered by a tall step-in and surprisingly slim thresholds. Uncomfortably narrow footwells, but plenty of head room. Seats are firm and chairlike.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 6.2 |
Entry/exit hampered by a tall step-in and surprisingly slim thresholds. Uncomfortably narrow footwells, but plenty of head room. Seats are firm and chairlike.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Fine head and leg room, but the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats are heavier and harder to remove than those in General Motors' front-drive minivans. Lack of left-side door a demerit.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.9 |
Fine head and leg room, but the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats are heavier and harder to remove than those in General Motors' front-drive minivans. Lack of left-side door a demerit.
Cargo Room
Tight with all seats in place. Unlike side-by-side rear doors, optional Dutch doors give unobstructed rear view, plus the convenience of lift-open glass and available defroster.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 10 | 9.3 |
Tight with all seats in place. Unlike side-by-side rear doors, optional Dutch doors give unobstructed rear view, plus the convenience of lift-open glass and available defroster.
Value within Class
If you need a minivan mainly for towing or hauling heavy loads, Astro and Safari fill the bill. But for mainly passenger use, front-drive rivals are better alternatives.
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 3 | 6.2 |
If you need a minivan mainly for towing or hauling heavy loads, Astro and Safari fill the bill. But for mainly passenger use, front-drive rivals are better alternatives.
Total Score
| AWD w/SLE Pkg | Class Average |
| 44 | 58.8 |
Scores for all Minivans
| Low Score | 44 | |
| Average Score | 58 | |
| High Score | 70 |
2004 GMC Safari Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 02/13/2004
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| 2WD Cargo 3-door van | $22,555 | $20,412 | $740 |
|
|
|||
| AWD Cargo 3-door van | $24,955 | $22,584 | $740 |
|
|
|||
| 2WD Passenger 3-door van | $23,985 | $21,706 | $740 |
|
|
|||
| AWD Passenger 3-door van | $25,985 | $23,516 | $740 |
Price note: AWD denotes all-wheel drive.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Cargo
Powertrain
4.3-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, dual front airbags, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, front air conditioning, vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, map lights, vinyl floor covering, intermittent wipers, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear panel doors, 215/70R16 tires, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
Passenger adds to Cargo:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery, 8-passenger seating, front bucket seats, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row bench seat, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, carpeting, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Deep-tinted rear glass, 6-wire trailer harness, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
SLE Marketing Option Pkg. 1SC
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$1,245
|
$1,071
|
|
Remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, bodyside cladding, chrome grille, alloy wheels.
|
||
|
SLE Marketing Option Pkg. 1SD
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$3,495
|
$3,006
|
|
SLE Marketing Option Pkg. 1SC plus rear air conditioning, rear heater, 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, rear Dutch doors, rear defogger, roof rack.
|
||
|
SLT Marketing Option Pkg. 1SE
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$5,145
|
$4,425
|
|
SLE Marketing Option Pkg. 1SD plus leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded cloth upholstery, universal garage-door opener, rear radio controls, additional cupholders, bodyside stripes.
|
||
|
ZQ2 Convenience Pkg.
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$475
|
$409
|
|
Power door locks, power windows.
|
||
|
ZQ3 Convenience Pkg.
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$385
|
$331
|
|
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control.
|
||
|
Seat Pkg.
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$170
|
$146
|
|
Driver seat lumbar adjustment, armrests, map pocket. Requires cloth upholstery.
|
||
|
Heavy-Duty Trailering Equipment
|
||
|
Cargo, Passenger
|
$265
|
$228
|
|
Platform hitch, 8-lead wiring harness.
|
||
|
|
||
Powertrain |
||
|
Limited-slip differential
|
||
|
Cargo, Passenger
|
$280
|
$241
|
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Rear air conditioning
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$525
|
$452
|
|
Rear heater
|
||
|
Cargo, Passenger
|
$240
|
$206
|
|
Rear Dutch doors
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$459
|
$395
|
|
Includes rear defogger.
|
||
|
7-passenger seating
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
2nd-row bucket seats. Requires SLT Pkg. 1SE.
|
||
|
Leather upholstery
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$950
|
$817
|
|
Requires SLT Pkg. 1SE.
|
||
|
Cloth upholstery
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
AM/FM/CD player
|
||
|
Cargo, Passenger
|
$205
|
$176
|
|
Cargo requires Convenience Pkg. ZQ2.
|
||
|
AM/FM/cassette/CD player
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$100
|
$86
|
|
Requires SLE Pkg. 1SC.
|
||
|
Rear headphone jacks/radio controls
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$125
|
$108
|
|
Requires SLE Pkg. 1SD.
|
||
|
Power door locks
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$250
|
$215
|
|
Remote keyless entry
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$170
|
$146
|
|
Requires power door locks.
|
||
|
Overhead console
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$225
|
$194
|
|
Includes storage, compass, outside-temperature indicator. Requires SLE Pkg. 1SC, illuminated visor mirrors.
|
||
|
Illuminated visor mirrors
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$100
|
$86
|
|
Requires SLE Pkg. 1SC., overhead console.
|
||
|
Interior lighting
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$35
|
$30
|
|
Dome light, map lights.
|
||
|
Cargo net
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$45
|
$39
|
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Running boards
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$400
|
$344
|
|
Requires option pkg. AWD w/Heavy-Duty Trailering Equipment requires 7-passenger seating.
|
||
|
Chrome grille
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$220
|
$189
|
|
Sliding side door and rear door glass
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$265
|
$228
|
|
Includes deep-tinted glass.
|
||
|
Rear panel door glass
|
||
|
Cargo
|
$145
|
$125
|
|
Includes deep-tinted glass.
|
||
|
Roof rack
|
||
|
Passenger
|
$130
|
$112
|
|
Cold Climate Pkg.
|
||
|
Cargo, Passenger
|
$50
|
$43
|
|
Engine-block heater.
|
||
|
|
||
2004 GMC Safari Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | GMC Safari 3-door van |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 189.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 77.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 75.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4309 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 170.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1764 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 27.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 8 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.9 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.5 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 4.3 /262 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 190 @ 4400 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 250 @ 2800 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 4-speed automatic | 16/21 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | GMC Safari 3-door van |
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 6/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2004 GMC Safari Review:
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