Tank Ledger

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

The GMC Safari Conversion (cargo) has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2003 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 16 mpg (2005) and its thirstiest returned 14 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Vans, Cargo Type.

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

16best combined mpg (2005)
14worst combined mpg (2003)
16latest year best (2005)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2003215 mpg14 mpg#6 of 11 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans, Cargo Type
2004215 mpg14 mpg#7 of 11 (40th pct)Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans, Cargo Type
2005216 mpg14 mpg#4 of 9 (63th pct)Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularVans, Cargo Type

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The GMC Safari Conversion (cargo) placed highest in 2005 at #4 of 9, and lowest in 2004 at #7 of 11. It spent 2 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20054.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl121614821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
20054.3L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl141916718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
20044.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl121614821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
20044.3L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl141815766.719.8$4,150592.4666666666667n/a
20034.3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl121614821.421.3$4,450634.7857142857143n/a
20034.3L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular4.3L 6-cyl131815766.719.8$4,150592.4666666666667n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2004 → 200515 → 16 mpg+1 mpg719 gal

What Safari Conversion (cargo) fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 GMC Safari Conversion (cargo) burns 719 to 821 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.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$2,156$2,464$308
$3.50/gal$2,516$2,875$359
$4.00/gal$2,875$3,286$411

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $3,900 to $4,450 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Vans, Cargo Type

Across the 29 nameplates EPA classifies as Vans, Cargo Type, the median best combined rating is 15 mpg. At 16 mpg the GMC Safari Conversion (cargo) is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $168 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other GMC nameplates

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