- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Vans
2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 14–17 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 van configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo at a glance
The 2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo covers 6 model years in the EPA database (18 configurations in all), rated 14–17 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $3,840 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (17 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005; 2002 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 17 MPG, was reached in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 14–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 14–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,670 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 | Same EPA ratings as 2001 |
| 2001 | Gas | 15–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2000 | Gas | 16–17 MPG | $3,840–$4,080 | First year |
What the 2005 Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$320
$3,840 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$6.40
Per 100 miles
$25.60
Five years
$19,200
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the van median
$830less a year
Class median $4,670 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration moves from 16 to 17 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,080 to $3,840, $240 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,670 |
2004 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
14–16 MPG · $4,080–$4,670/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration moves from 17 to 16 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,840 to $4,080, $240 more.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,080 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,670 |
2003 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
14–17 MPG · $3,840–$4,670/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,840.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
| Safari Conversion (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,670 |
2002 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2001
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2002 GMC Safari Cargo as for the 2001 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2001 section above.See 2001
2001 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
15–17 MPG · $3,840–$4,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,840.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,360 |
2000 GMC Safari Cargo MPG
16–17 MPG · $3,840–$4,080/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD (Most efficient) | 4.3L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,840 |
| Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,080 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD: $5,230 in California and $3,350 in Texas, a $1,880 difference.
- California $5,230
- Washington $4,840
- New York $3,840
- Florida $3,630
- Texas $3,350
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 van models.
Generations
- 2000-2005
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo get?
EPA rates the 2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo at 14–17 MPG combined across 18 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 17 MPG (15 city, 20 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo?
The Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 17 MPG, in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. The lowest top rating, 16 MPG, was in 2004.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2005 GMC Safari Cargo?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2002 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 GMC Safari Cargo per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,840 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $3,840–$4,670 a year. That is a $830 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 GMC Safari Cargo 100 miles?
About $25.60 per 100 miles for the Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $25.60 and $31.13 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 GMC Safari Cargo more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD is rated 15 city and 20 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 5 MPG.
How does the 2005 GMC Safari Cargo compare with other van configurations?
The Safari (cargo) 4.3L 6-cyl RWD costs about $3,840 a year to fuel, $830 less than the class median of $4,670, and less than 9 of 10 van configurations. The comparison covers all 35 rated van configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 GMC Safari Cargo different from the 2004 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 16 to 17 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $4,080 to $3,840, $240 less. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2005 against 4 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 GMC Safari Cargo for that year.