There's not much styling to discuss when it comes to GM's full-size vans, but is that important in a work truck? When you're buying a fleet of work trucks, or just one or two vans for your delivery employees to drive, repair costs are a critical factor. (Seriously, have you seen how cargo-van-drivers drive?) If this describes your employees, buying a Nissan NV with it's large shiny chrome bumper could be a bad business move, as bumper covers for the Express and Savana go for $75 online. The story is the same from stem to stern eschewing expensive aerodynamic plastic headlamp assemblies (available on the passenger vans) for sealed-beam halogen units, acres of easy-to-Bondo panels and a rear end that's as discount as it gets. Shoppers have their choice of four standard paint colors, four $150 optional colors, or the ever so popular full-body vinyl wrap. If you're shopping off the lot, expect to get any color you want so long as its white. 1500 models get a 17-inch steel wheel while 2500 and 3500 models get a 16-inch wheel wrapped in 245 width 75 series rubber for added load capacity. Nissan's NV is clearly designed for owner-operators, and it shows with driver oriented features, comfy seats and the positioning of human-room over cargo room. If you thought the last van sporting engine access inside the cabin was driven by the A-Team, think again. Because cargo is king for the GM vans, the engine is pushed as far into the cabin as possible maximizing interior volume and minimizing the external footprint (that's all relative of course). Having the engine located between the driver and front passenger footwells both limits legroom and cooks the driver's right leg on long drives. It also means the transmission is under the van between the seats resulting in a fairly high step-in height. On the flip side it means the Savana and Express can swallow 13-foot items in short wheelbase form and the long wheelbase version can schlep 15-foot goods. (The E-series comes in at 12.5 feet and 14.6 feet). Standard equipment includes seats and a steering wheel but stops short of in-dash entertainment of any variety. Buyers have the option of an AM/FM radio, a mid-level unit with a CD player and a higher end unit that brings basic iPod/iPhone functionality. Sadly no navigation system is available in any model. Click here to view the embedded video. Let's be honest. If I'm buying a van for my business and my employees are the ones driving it around, all talk of driver comfort is comparatively less important than the rest of this review, so let's talk hauling. No other commercial vehicle comes in as many variations as GM's vans. From 8-15 passenger versions for Zeta Cartel affiliates, two different wheelbases, and cab-only cutaways for shuttle bus and ambulance duty all of which can be had with a variety of engine ans transmission choices, there are more variations than you can imagine. As you would expect, payload capacities range from 2,000lbs 1500 models to 4,184lbs in 3500 models. The only area where the Nissan NV clearly trumps GM's offerings is height with it's optional 6'2″ interior cargo area. Although you can have a conversion company extend your roof, it's not as clean as Nissan's solution and usually the doors left at their regular height, making it difficult to load large cargo. GM fights back with hinged side doors and a considerably longer cargo hold in the extended version. Although GM offers the widest selection of engines,shoppers should choose carefully as there are some questionable selections on the menu. Let's start with the 1500 series vans. First up is the ancient 190HP, 260lb-ft 4.3L V6 delivering the best fuel economy at 15/20MPG (city/highway), a 310HP, 334lbft 5.3L V8 with variable valve timing is optional on the 1500 RWD (13/18MPG) and standard on the 1500 AWD van (13/18MPG). Both engines are mated to a light duty four-speed 4L60E automatic transmission. Buyers should know, our informal polling of several large GM fleet customers indicated the 4L60E is notably less reliable than the heavy-duty 6-speed 6L90 used in 2500 and 3500 vans since 2010. All 2500 and 3500 models come standard with a recently revised 280HP, 192lb-ft 4.8L V8 with VVT mated to GM's 6-speed automatic good for 13/18MPG. An optional ($995) 324HP, 373lb-ft 6.0L V8 with VVT is available should you feel the need for speed in your cargo hauler. If you believe in burning oil, GM is happy to sell you their 6.6L Duramax V8 diesel engine which is de-tuned from truck duty to 260HP and 525lb-ft (from 397HP/765lb-ft) and delivered 18.8MPG on average for us. Don't expect the diesel to save you money however as buying it will set you back a whopping $12,000. Perhaps the most enticing option for the GM vans however is the factory built CNG version, one of only two factory built CNG vehicles on the road (the other is the Honda Civic GX). Based on the 6.0L V8 and putting down 279HP and 320lb-ft of twist in gaseous-guise the option will set you back $15,885 and provides a 300+ mile range at the expense of a 5 cubic feet reduction in cargo capacity. While the option seems best suites to markets like the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles where there is a moderate CNG infrastructure (or if you install a "home" refill station), at $1.95 per gallon "equivalent" in the option will pay for itself before you hit 100,000 miles. (Based on current California gasoline prices) Nissan does not release MPG numbers for the NV vans, but our high-top V8 averaged 14.2MPG and a 40 mile test drive in a standard roof V8 yielded 14.8MPG. From the blue oval competition their 4.6L V8 will do 13/17, the 5.4L V8 drops to 12/16 and the 6.8L V10 rounds out the bottom at 10/14. We average a solid 17MPG during a 90 mile mixed-driving trip with the 4.8L V8 in a base 2500 series van making it the best cost/performance ratio option in this segment. Towing may not seem like an obvious consideration, but a quick check with the construction crowd confirmed it is important. While the V6 Nissan NV 1500 boasts a 7,000lb tow rating vs GM's 4,300lb rating for their 1500 series V6 van, Nissan's 261HP/281lb-ft V6 is probably best pitted against GM's 4.8L V8 (280HP/296lb-ft) which starts with a 7,400lb towing capacity. We were only able to get our hands on a 5,000lb load to haul with the Nissan and GM vans, but the difference was enlightening. (Note: tests with the 1500 series GM van were completed with a 4,000lb trailer because if its reduced towing capacity). With trailer attached, GM's V6 van could barely get out of its own way, while Nissan's more powerful V6 and 5-speed transmission performed well maintaining 55MPH on a 6% grade, but passing wasn't really in the cards. GM's hunt-happy four-speed automatic was as much to blame for this problem as the V6′s specs. Nissan's V8 (317HP/385lb-ft) proved a willing tow companion on the same grade able to accelerate from 50-60MPG without drama for passing uphill. GM fights back their 6-speed automatic making the 6.0L V8 the better tow partner, but most importantly making the 4.8L V8 a logical and economical alternative. For those considering the jump from 1500 to 2500 series vans to get the 6-cog transmission, our up-hill towing test demonstrated just how important extra gear ratios are with the less powerful 2500 series (4.8L V8) easily outperforming the 1500 (5.3L V8) due to the two extra gears. Should you need the maximum schlepping ability, GM's 3500 van with the 6.6L diesel V8 is good for a class leading 10,000lbs of trailering and 4,148lbs of in-van hauling. Ford is of course the other major player in this market, but time and progress have left the E-Series behind. Ford offers only three engine options at this time: a 225HP/286lb-ft 4.6L modular V8, a 255HP/350lb-ft 5.4L V8 and a 305HP/420lb-ft 6.8L V10. Both V8s are available only with a four-speed automatic while the V10 gets a 5-speed. As I said in our review of the NV, pricing commentary is difficult when it comes to a commercial vehicle. I was unable to get specific rebate numbers, but I am told that fleet buyers should expect around $1000 back with a purchase of five vans and around $2,500 for 25 vans plus the usual bevy of enticing freebies. Don't take those numbers as gospel, fleet buyers should contact the manufacturers for ordering details as the configurations are near endless. While the NV 1500 is a hair cheaper than a Chevy Express 1500, GM's 2500 series van is only around $755 more expensive than an NV 1500 netting the buyer the heavy-duty transmission, brakes, and increased hauling capacity. Compared to the present competition, GM's Chevy Express and GMC Savana twins deliver high-capacity hauling, more variations, and thanks to the new 6-speed transmissions, class leading fuel economy making them easily the top pick for fleet use. If however you're driving your own van, the slight reduction in utility and observed fuel economy of the Nissan NV are offset by vastly improved creature comforts and more room for the driver at a very compelling price. Until the blue oval can get the new T-Series van online, the best hauling options on the market seem to be from Nissan and GM, check out our E-Series review for more on that tomorrow.
This is part two of a five-part series on commercial vehicles. Click the links below for the others in this series:
General Motors provided the vehicle, one tank of diesel and insurance for this review 0-60: 9.4 Seconds Average fuel economy: 18.8MPG over 435 miles from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| |||
| |||
|
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Commercial Week Day Two Review: 2012 GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Archive
-
▼
2012
(7297)
-
▼
April
(760)
- Ford Focus ST Priced At $23,700
- 2013 Ford F-150 Spy Photos: A Mild Cosmetic Update...
- 41-mpg Dodge Dart Aero: Same Great Taste, Less Fil...
- Volkswagen Golf/Jetta CC Not Destined for U.S.
- 2012 Audi A8L W12 Instrumented Test: 0 to 60 mph i...
- Name That Shifter, No. 74
- This Is The Analysis Of The Video That Jalopnik Al...
- 2013 Ford Focus ST Wagon Spied; Still Not Coming Here
- 2013 Acura ILX vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which Would Y...
- VW Polo R Line Adds Show Without the Go
- 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Car Seat Check
- Toyota RAV4 EV to Debut May 7
- 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Crowned World's Most Powerf...
- Daily News Briefs: April 30, 2012
- Next-Gen Toyota Prius Targeted For Stateside Produ...
- There’s a “Huracan” Coming To Your “Urus”
- Cars.com Buzz Index: April 2012
- Morgan 3 Wheeler Being Offered To Eccentric Americ...
- This Weekend’s World Challenge Event Shows What’s ...
- Piston Slap: Crystal Ballin’ the Bling-Free Altima!
- Dodge Dart Gets “Aero” Package To Break 40 MPG
- Junkyard Find: 1990 Ford Escort Pony
- BMW May Takeover Nedcar Plant
- Should the EPA Have Changed the BMW 328's Mileage?
- Trackday Diaries: Two wheels good, four wheels pro...
- At Forbes, Gordon Chang Lacks Adult Supervision
- Gleanings Of The 2010 Beijing Auto Show: Breasts D...
- Review: BMW 335i 6MT Sport Line
- GM And Isuzu Want To Rekindle Old Tie-Up
- What Went Wrong For Peugeot In India?
- GM and Isuzu In Bed Again?
- Hammer Time Rewind: The Seven Deadly Sins
- Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week
- Junkyard Find: Toasty 1965 BMW 700
- Car Collector’s Corner: 1962 Mercury Monterey 4 Do...
- Ed And BS Meet For Cars And Coffee
- Kicking Around The Fisker Football
- This Week's Most-Read Stories
- Mitusbishi Mirage: Yes For Canada, Maybe For America
- Most-Watched Video Reviews of the Week
- Best Selling Cars Around The Globe: Discover Some ...
- 2013 Dodge Dart First Drive: Fiat and Chrysler’s F...
- Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Dodge Dart
- Dodge Dart Aero to Get at Least 41 MPG Highway
- Italian Masterpieces on Display at L.A.’s Petersen...
- Why Torontonians Love The Smart Fortwo
- 2013 Scion FR-S Video
- Capsule Review: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
- Ferrari Plans Hybrid Powertrain
- Biden: “Osama bin Laden Is Dead And General Motors...
- Mercedes Opens First AMG-Only Dealership in Beijing
- Mazda Gives Us Another 1,000 Chances To Buy A Rota...
- Daily News Briefs: April 27, 2012
- Massage-Off: Jag, Mercedes, and Audi Seat Massager...
- Setting Music To Marques
- This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man: Portland Decl...
- Junkyard Find: 1992 Geo Prizm
- For Honda, Next Accord Must be a Hit
- Junkyard Find: 1992 Geo Prizm
- Which Cars Fit Three Car Seats?
- Gleanings Of The 2012 Beijing Auto Show: Seat Intr...
- Confirmed: 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Rated at...
- Gleanings Of The 2012 Beijing Auto Show: Car Blogg...
- Go-To Car Music Keep Families in Harmony
- Gleanings Of The 2012 Beijing Auto Show: Toyota Op...
- Coda Withdraws DOE Loan Request Worth $334 Million
- 2012 Audi A1 Sportback First Drive: Two More Doors...
- Lamborghini’s Latest Trademark Application: “Huracán”
- 2013 Shelby GT500; 662 Horsepower, 200 MPH. WHY???
- China Gets Its Dual Clutches From The Borg
- The Acura NSX Concept Gets Painted Proper Sports-C...
- Gleanings Of The 2012 Beijing Auto Show: Victimize...
- Aston Martin Will End Current DBS Production with ...
- What's the Most Affordable Compact Crossover?
- MG’s Icon Concept Unveiled in China [Beijing Auto ...
- 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser: Car Seat Check
- Vellum Venom Vignette: 1991 Toyota Camry (emblem)
- 2013 Aston Martin DBS Spied: 550 hp and One-77 Looks
- Toyota Prices Limited-Edition Tacoma TRD T/X Baja ...
- Is Status For The Smart Or Stupid?
- 2012 Ford Focus Electric to Serve as NASCAR’s Firs...
- Daily News Briefs: April 26, 2012
- 2013 Audi Q5: First Look
- BRB Driving Police Cars
- Time Machine Dilemma: It’s 1973 and You Have Enoug...
- Chevrolet Orlando Finally Becomes Top Small Miniva...
- 2012 Buick Regal GS Automatic Tested: That’s Right...
- Automated-Vehicle Cheat Codes: How to Get the Most...
- Cars.com's 2012 Mock Draft: Top Car Prospects
- Junkyard Find: 1981 Toyota Corolla Liftback Coupe
- Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Volvo XC60
- New NHTSA Website Helps Parents Choose Right Seat
- Toyota Dear Qin Sedan and Hatchback: Don’t You Wan...
- Toyota Yundong Shuangqing Concept: What’s Happenin...
- In Hot Pursuit of Cold Milk: A Look at the New Ind...
- The Continental: Nine-Speeds Are Coming, Legalizin...
- 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Drive...
- Volkswagen Launches China-Only New Lavida [Beijing...
- Jaguar/Land Rover Officially Launches Engineered t...
- Commercial Break: A Quick Example Of A Good “Gen Y...
-
▼
April
(760)
No comments:
Post a Comment