GMC Safari (cargo) MPG by year — every rating on record

The GMC Safari (cargo) has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 21 model years, from 1985 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 67 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Vans, Cargo Type.

In the EPA record this nameplate also appears as Safari (cargo) and Astro (cargo). The figures below cover every one of them.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The GMC Safari (cargo) placed highest in 1985 at #1 of 20, and lowest in 1991 at #8 of 23. It spent 21 of its 21 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 67 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 8 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Safari (cargo) fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 GMC Safari (cargo) burns 676 to 767 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $3,650 to $4,150 a year in fuel, or $7,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Vans

Across the 45 nameplates EPA classifies as Vans, the median best combined rating is 17 mpg. At 17 mpg the GMC Safari (cargo) is exactly at the median.

• All Vans rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other GMC nameplates

Every GMC model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.