2012 GMC Savana 1500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2012 GMC Savana 1500 is a carryover with no major changes from 2011. Its trims, engines, styling, safety equipment, and technology remain largely the same.
About the 2012 GMC Savana 1500
Original Savana generation introduced for 1996; 2012 is a very late-cycle year with no major refresh.
GMC positions the Savana as a professional-grade full-size van built around durability, flexibility, and work-first usefulness. In cargo form, it is a blank-canvas work van with big access openings and upfit-friendly space. In passenger form, it is a simple people mover for shuttles, large families, churches, and mobility conversions. What separates it from minivans is old-school van strength: V8 power, available AWD, higher towing ability, and a body meant for hard daily use.
The 2012 Savana 1500 is a straightforward full-size van built for passenger or cargo duty. Passenger models range from the basic eight-seat LS with a 5.3-liter V8 to the more comfortable LT with rear air conditioning, cloth seats, and power features. The cargo van has a work-focused interior, wide-opening doors, and enough floor space to carry 4-by-8-foot sheets with the doors closed.
2012 GMC Savana 1500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter | V6, 4.3 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Gas / Flexible Fuel |
| MPG City | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | 13–15 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 18–20 mpg |
| Horsepower | 310 hp | 310 hp | 195–310 hp |
| Torque | 334 lb-ft | 334 lb-ft | 260–334 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 6000 lb | 6000 lb | 6700 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 216.2 cu-ft | 216.2 cu-ft | 270.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | |
| Seats | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| Doors | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cruise Control | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Privacy Glass | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||
| Bluetooth | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Satellite Radio | |||
| USB Ports | |||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Power Locks | |||
| Power Windows | |||
| Remote Start | |||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||
| Third Row Seat | |||
| Tilt Wheel | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2012 GMC Savana 1500?
No major product changes were made to the 2012 GMC Savana 1500. It carries over the basic trim lineup, powertrains, styling, safety equipment, and technology from 2011.
Is the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 different from the 2011 model?
The 2012 GMC Savana 1500 is not significantly different from the 2011 model. Both years share the same basic body, trim structure, and core mechanical setup.
Which engines does the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 use?
The 2012 Savana 1500 cargo van uses a 4.3-liter V6 or 5.3-liter V8, depending on its configuration. The passenger van uses a 5.3-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Did the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 receive new safety or technology features?
No, the 2012 GMC Savana 1500 received no lineup-wide safety or technology upgrade. The LS passenger van has head-curtain side airbags covering the first three rows, but that was not a new feature for 2012.