Though officially designated as B-body cars by GM (in line with the Chevrolet Impala/Caprice station wagons), the Grand Safari and its Buick/Oldsmobile counterparts shared a 127-inch wheelbase with "senior" C-body sedans.

At a curb weight of approximately 5300 pounds, a three-row version is also the heaviest vehicle ever produced by the brand.

Using the newly downsized GM B-body chassis, the model line became the station wagon counterpart of the Pontiac Bonneville sedan (the Grand Ville was discontinued).

The Pontiac counterpart of the Buick Estate and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, the downsizing of the platform reduced the wheelbase from 127 inches to 115.9 inches, shared with both B-body sedans (and Chevrolet Impala/Caprice station wagons), ending its relationship with the C-body chassis.

In a major functional change, the "Glide-Away" tailgate was replaced by a three-way configuration similar to AMC, Chrysler, and Ford.