2021 Chevy Express Review

　　

2021 Chevrolet Express Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　For more than 25 years, the Chevrolet Express has maintained the same basic design, providing lots of seating and impressive towing capability. Unfortunately, when you compare it to passenger van rivals, it's clear that the Express has fallen desperately behind the times. The Express (also known as the Express Passenger) uses body-on-frame construction, much like a modern pickup truck, which helps it provide tow ratings as high as 9,600 pounds. Unfortunately, this body-on-frame design also means that the Express has an uncomfortable ride, both on the highway and in the city.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Express LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for Express LS 2500

　　Express LS 2500

　　LS 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $37,200 MSRPLS 3500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $38,400 MSRPLS 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,200 MSRPLT 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $39,300 MSRPLT 3500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $40,100 MSRPLT 3500 3dr Ext Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) - $40,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$283/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Van

　　Rivals such as the Ford Transit are much more likable and much more comfortable. The Transit, along with vans including the Nissan NV and the Ram ProMaster, are considerably more modern than the Express. They offer updated interiors, a wider variety of configurations, and high-roof options that will give your passengers the room to walk around between the seats without having to crouch. With the Express, there's no medium or high roof to speak of. An Express might be appealing if you want a highly utilitarian vehicle with room for up to 15 passengers, but we recommend looking at some of the competition first.

　　

Which Express does zzdcar recommend?

If you go with the Chevy Express, go with the top trim level: the LT. The LT comes with a number of driver aids such as forward collision alert and lane departure warning, as well as some convenience features including keyless entry and interior carpeting. And if you're looking for maximum towing capability or gross vehicle weight rating, go with the 3500.

　　

2021 Chevrolet Express models

The 2021 Chevrolet Express comes in both the standard cargo van and the Express Passenger. This review covers the passenger van. In terms of capability, there's the standard 2500 and the heavy-duty 3500, which offers a higher GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating, or the weight of your vehicle plus any passengers and cargo). A longer 3500 extended-wheelbase version offers more space for seats or cargo. The longer wheelbase also means that the 3500 increases seating capacity from 12 to 15 passengers.

　　The Express' engine lineup includes three offerings:

　　A standard 4.3-liter V6 (276 hp, 298 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic An available 6.6-liter V8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic An available turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automaticChevy offers the Express in two trim levels. Standard feature highlights include:

　　LS

　　16-inch steel wheels Front and rear air conditioning Power windows and locks Vinyl upholstery Swing-out door with a 60/40 split on the passenger side Technology such as a rearview camera and GM's OnStar communications Two-speaker audio system with an auxiliary jackOptional features for the LS include:

　　Choosing the 3500 or 3500 Extended adds a tilting steering wheel and cruise controlLT

　　This trim adds:

　　Front and rear chrome bumpers Remote door locks Full-floor carpeting Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front) Tilting steering wheelNotable optional features include:

　　Heavy-duty trailering package Upgraded audio system Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Heavy-duty locking rear differential (can enhance traction in slippery conditions) Sliding passenger-side rear door (instead of swing-out) Power-adjustable front seats and power-adjustable mirrors

　　

2021 Express Highlights

Trim: LS 2500LS 3500LT 2500LT 3500LS 2500

　　

Base MSRP	$37,200
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	12 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles