Those who operate businesses that involve hauling cargo understand the need for a reliable cargo van. The best place to look for a good van will naturally be with one of the big auto manufacturers in the world. GM is the second largest auto manufacturer while Ford is the fourth largest car maker on the planet at the moment. Comparing the 2011 GMC Savana 1500 and the Ford E-150 will therefore be a battle between giants who have been in the auto industry long enough to produce reliable cargo vans that will deliver on capacity, power, and efficiency. We will be comparing the two vehicles in order to see which of them will carry the day and get to carry your cargo.
Performance
The GMC Savana 1500 has a 4.3l, V-6 engine that delivers 195hp and 260lb-ft of torque. This rear wheel drive vehicle can tow a maximum recommended weight of 5,900lb. On the other hand the Ford E-150 has a 4.6l, V-8 engine that delivers 225hp and a maximum torque of 286lb-ft. It is also a rear wheel drive vehicle that can to up to 6500lb of cargo. It is quite clear that the Ford takes round one and is the better option for those who are primarily looking for a powerful cargo van.
Fuel Efficiency
As always fuel consumption is better with smaller engines. The GMC Savana 1500 has a 31 gallon fuel tank and is able to give 15 miles to the liter in city traffic and about 20 miles on the highway. The Ford E-150 on its part will give an average of 13 miles to the gallon in city traffic and about 17 miles on the highway. It has a 33 gallon fuel tank and is obviously the less efficient of the two when only considering the fuel consumption.
Safety
As with all other vehicles, safety is a major concern when dealing with cargo vans as they are not only transporting your valuable goods but will also have your employees on board. Both the GMC and Ford vehicles have the standard safety and security features that include anti-lock brakes, stability control, airbags as well as security system that includes ignition disable. The GMC also has overhead airbags in addition to the front impact airbags. Parking assist is also available on both vehicles along with alarms for low tire pressure, panic and emergency, stolen vehicle tracking and a lot more. The GMC Savana 1500 as well as the Ford E-150 fair quite well as regards security and most reviews have ranked them as being good or very good in the area of safety.
Exterior Features
There is not much difference in the exterior of both the Ford E-150 and the GMC Savana 1500. They have very similar dimensions though the GMC is about 8″ longer and may be a better choice for those looking to carry cargo that is big on volume. The color options for both vehicles are also quite similar with most of the cargo van customers seeming to prefer white, steel grey, or deep blue.
Interior Features
There is slightly more head and leg room in the Ford E-150 as compared to the GMC. This makes it more comfortable for taller and bigger crew. Both cargo vans seat two including the driver and it is important to note that there is nothing fancy to be found in these vehicles. Since they are mainly used to haul cargo, style is not really a major consideration in this case. It is more important for the vehicle to be practical. This is available in the form of the driver information center, gauges, cargo lighting, cup holders, radio, CD player, and much more. Flooring of the load area is either plastic or rubber for protection from abrasion and denting. A ventilation system also ensures that the cargo compartment is aired at all times.
Conclusion
Assuming that deciding to buy either of these vans is a business decision, fuel consumption and initial cost will be major considerations. The GMC happens to be cheaper as compared to buying the Ford and it also has better fuel efficiency which is really important in the transport business. Being a cargo van, volume also presents an important advantage and the GMC again has a lead here due to its longer body. This means that you can carry more luggage at a lower cost while using the GMC Savana 1500. If you are however still not convinced that the GMC Savana 1500 has carried the day, then you could simply decide to buy it and base your decision on GMC having more movie appearances than Ford where it is normally driven by the good guys, and I assume you are one of them.
