It probably comes as no surprise that lots of American families are thinking about a new minivan. But it is surprising that so few think about the GMC Safari or its mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Astro.
Maybe it's because we've been conditioned to think of minivans as front-wheel-drive vehicles that behave like cars. That's been the ethic since Chrysler invented these versatile station wagon substitutes back in 1984, and Chrysler still owns the segment.
Built on a truck-style chassis, the Safari and Astro are rear-drive and not very carlike. But they are robust and rugged, offering a combination of capabilities that most of the smaller, lighter front-drive minivans simply can't handle. The overall package is still well within the minivan size category, but the appetite for hard work exceeds anything in this class.
In 1985, the Safari was General Motors' initial hurry-up response to the challenge of the Chrysler minivans. There's been steady refinement since, including a front-end face-lift for '95, but it's still basically the same vehicle.
The Safari comes in three trim levels. In ascending order, they are SLX, SLE and SLT. It is also available as a cargo model with only two seats. We drove an upper-crust Safari SLT.
Engine options for 1995 have been reduced to one: a 4.3-liter V6 rated at 190 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque paired with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.
This brawny powertrain means lots of muscle, and rear-wheel drive means it's a much better setup for pulling good-sized trailers. Maximum towing capacity is 5500 lb., much more than any front-drive minivan.
The only major powertrain option is a full-time all-wheel-drive system. It's expensive, but it does offer greatly enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, which makes it worth considering if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Functional changes to the powertrain include reduced engine noise, better low-end torque for more pulling power, transmission refinements for smoother shifting, and revisions to the power steering to make the Safari easier to maneuver.
As we mentioned, the front end has been restyled for 1995. There's a new grille, new fenders, some detail changes along the sides, and a spoiler below the front bumper.
Higher trim levels also have flush-mounted aero-style headlamps, though the basic Safari continues with traditional sealed beams.
A nifty feature that's carried over into the '95 models is the optional Dutch door at the rear of the van. The standard Safari doors are vertical, opening outward from the middle. That's good for access, but the rear window frames join to create a central pillar that interferes with rearward vision when the doors are closed.
The Dutch door has three sections: a glass upper hatch that swings up, with two half-doors below. Neat.
Besides its extra length, the '95 Safari includes more standard features such as air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, a driver's airbag and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS). GM deserves plenty of credit for this latter feature, a Safari standard since 1993. Even though ABS won't reduce stopping distances on dry pavement, it definitely helps maintain control in sudden stops on low-traction surfaces.
What the Safari offers, in quantity, is room, more of it than any other minivan you can buy. There's seating space for eight adults - real move-around seating space, with ample legroom at every position. And the maximum cargo volume of 170.4 cu. ft. is substantially more than even the largest front-drive minivans. The Ford Windstar, for example, maxes out at 144 cu. ft. The Safari is a tad more spacious than Ford's rear-drive Aerostar.
Getting into all this space does have some drawbacks, though. The Safari sits rather high off the ground, and the climb into the front seats requires pulling yourself up and in, just like a full-size van.
