2020 Chevrolet Express 3500

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is available in two different trims, namely Cargo Van and Extended Cargo Van. As the name suggests, Cargo Van trim gets a lower 7,200 lbs of towing capacity and 4,060 lbs of payload capacity. Along with that, there are also other basic features available with this trim, like the manual single-zone air condition system, power windows, 16” steel wheels, LED DRL’s, and tire pressure monitoring system.

However, the extended cargo van comes with a higher towing capacity and payload capacity of 7,400 lbs and 4,280 lbs due to tweaks in the rear suspension setup of this van. Apart from these mechanical changes, the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Extended Cargo Van gets no upgrades from the regular version.

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van comes with a paltry features list and cannot be considered as a luxurious offering, unlike some of the other competitors. However, we wish it did come with at least the basic features like a proper infotainment system and audio system. The optional features list is also quite bland in comparison.

Chevrolet is a marque that has been through its highs and lows when it comes to the reliability and dependability showcased by their products. Though many of their large size SUVs and pickup trucks were often coined as quite reliable by the coveted organizations like the RepairPal and J.D. Power, the same cannot be said about their smaller offerings. The Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van has also been fairly reliable with minimal recalls and complaints reported. However, J.D. Power hasn’t reported the overall consumer rating of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van yet.

Reliability and Ownership Costs

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van has had no recalls and user complaints reported by the NHTSA. Along with that, we also love the fact that there weren’t any ongoing investigations too, all of which do make the Express 3500 Cargo Van look solid when it comes to reliability. With an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 procured by Chevrolet according to the RepairPal report, we are pretty sure that the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van would be as good as the previous model years, and will offer trouble-free motoring for many years. 

If you are interested in purchasing the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, we recommend you to look for the offers from Texas and New York, since that is where the Express 3500 Cargo Van sells the most in the United States. With a bit of negotiation, you could get a cracking deal from these states due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and also because of the arrival of the 2021 model. If you don’t get a decent deal from these states, also check out the states like Delaware, Alaska, and New Hampshire, all of which don't have any automotive sales tax and hence would come out with a lower MSRP. If you are interested to move forward with the decision of purchasing the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, we will recommend you to look at the 5-year ownership cost of this full-size cargo van, which is given below:

The true cost to own for five years comes to a total of $48,208, which looks quite steep in comparison to the lower MSRP of $36,395. However, we would like to tell you that this price is based on many factors like depreciation, taxes & fees, insurance cost, and financing cost, which are all at their peak in the initial years. This price is likely to come down as the years go by.

Chevrolet Warranty

Chevrolet provides a limited warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, along with a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. There is also a corrosion warranty for 6-years or 100,000 miles and an impressive 24-hour roadside assistance service for the first 5-years or 60,000 miles. All of these help to protect the owners from any unexpected failures that may happen in the early years of ownership, thus safeguarding from a monumental repair bill.

Though the warranty packages provided by Chevrolet with the Express 3500 Cargo Van is quite decent for the segment, some of the monikers like the Nissan NV offer better coverage. However, we do love the fact that the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van comes with complimentary maintenance coverage for 1-year or 1-visit.

Miles Per Dollar

The miles per dollar ratio is calculated by dividing the average miles driven by the Americans, which is 15,000 miles, with the sum of insurance, maintenance, taxes & fees, financing cost, and fuel cost incurred in a year, which comes to a total of $8,934. Hence, by dividing both the values, you would get miles per dollar of 1.67, which is quite good for a full-size van.

If you are interested in purchasing a new 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, we would advise you to purchase the extended cargo van if you are into serious hauling, since this trim gets changes to its suspension setup which helps it to haul cargo much easier than the regular cargo van. This trim also gets a better towing and payload capacity. Since the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van misses out on many essential features, we would recommend you to look at the optional features list, many of which are quite economical. The optional touchscreen infotainment system is a decent addition for not a lot of money and is much better than the archaic unit that comes as standard.

Is buying a used Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van a good idea?

The best way to get the most bang for the buck deal is to go for the pre-owned route. The same applies when purchasing the Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van too. Since the Express 3500 Cargo Van has been in continuous production for many years, with only a facelift in 2003, the truck has largely remained unchanged. Because of that, you could easily get an impressive deal in a 2 - 3-year-old van, which would also come with the almost same features as the 2020 model.

However, to get the best deal on the Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, we would guide you to the 2017 or 2018 model year of this cargo van, since the depreciation would be at its peak for a 3-year-old vehicle and hence you would get a deal with close to $10,000 off in comparison to the 2020 model. The 2019 model would also get an impressive $7,000 in discount, since the depreciation of these cargo vans is quite ridiculous, making way for an impeccable deal in the used market. If you wish to purchase a used Express 3500 Cargo Van, make sure to check out our used car inventory, which houses many vans from all over the United States. We also have a huge list of certified pre-owned for extra peace of mind.

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van comes with the same standard 4.3L V6 motor with direct injection and variable valve timing, producing a decent 276 hp and 298 lb-ft of torque. This all-aluminum motor is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with electronically controlled overdrive and tow/haul mode. Furthermore, the power is put down through the rear wheels. Apart from this V6 motor, there is also an optional 6L Vortec V8 producing 341 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. However, this is a $995 optional extra.

The suspension duties of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is handled by the independent setup at the front with coil springs and stabilizer bars and a rear Hypoid drive axle with leaf springs for added stability and hauling capability. The braking hardware is also impressive with 4-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock brakes. All of this combines to make a decent full-size cargo van that not only is capable of hauling and towing but also can stop and handle with ease.

The horsepower and torque rating punched out by the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is on par with what the rest of the competitors offer. The RAM ProMaster Cargo Van gets a slightly better horsepower of 280 hp, however, the torque rating of 260 lb-ft is not as impressive as the Express 3500. The Ford Transit Cargo Van also suffers from a lower torque output in comparison to the mighty General Motors siblings.

2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van Acceleration And Braking Performance

This 4.3L V6 motor is capable of producing a 0-60 MPH time of 8.5 seconds, along with a quarter-mile time of 16.6 seconds. Though the time posted by the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is quite decent for the segment, this is not a performance-oriented van, and you would feel it the moment you start driving it. This V6 motor is tuned more for the mid-range and low-end performance, and hence the van could do decent speeds all day long without breaking a sweat. Though the transmission is not the fastest we have seen from a van, it sure is not lethargic in operation. However, the motor is not very refined, and there is always an audible clatter that sets into the cabin, even at lower RPMs.

The braking performance showcased by the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van, which gets a 12.8” front rotor and 13” rear rotor is quite good, with decent feel and feedback from the pedals along with good progression on offer. The brakes overall do feel sure-footed but do have higher than average nose dive.

In comparison, the time posted by the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is bang in the middle of the other full-size cargo vans. Though the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van does come out as the fastest van of the lot, the time posted by the Chevrolet and GMC is quite decent too. However, the time of 10.6 seconds taken by the Ford Transit Cargo Van is the highest of the lot. Furthermore, we haven’t tested the braking performance showcased by these vans. Nevertheless, we would like to mention that the brakes of these vans were quite similar in operation, and hence would likely turn out to have identical 60-0 MPH distances too.

The gas mileage is one area in which the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van gets beaten by all the competitors, that too by a huge margin. The Express 3500 Cargo Van gives out an abysmal 11 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway, with a combined rating of just 14 MPG. However, the tank capacity of 31 gallons, which is the highest for the segment, does ensure a decent range even with poor gas mileage on offer.

The competitors like the Ford Transit Cargo Van and Ram ProMaster Cargo Van got a much higher combined gas mileage of 17 MPG and 21 MPG, respectively. With a decent 25.1 gallon and 24-gallon fuel tank capacity, the combined range would be quite satisfactory too, for both these offerings. Whereas the General Motors siblings have been an utter disappointment in the fuel efficiency section, and the only saving grace is the decently high fuel tank capacity.

Step into the cabin of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van and you are going to be surprised due to two things. The first factor is the good space on offer for two passengers, with decent headroom, shoulder room, and legroom. The seats are well accommodating too, with good under-thigh and lower back support. However, we wish that these seats had more cushioning in them, which would have been a great boon for those long freeway drives.

But the second surprising factor is how bare-bones and cheap this interior feels in comparison to the likes of the Ford Transit Cargo Van and RAM ProMaster Cargo Van. This has to be one of the worst interiors to come with any automobile in the year 2020. The interior looks like it's taken from the 90s. It not only looks terrible, but also feels cheap with uneven panel gaps, many sharp edges, and hard plastics used for construction everywhere. There aren’t many features on offer too. This is one area in which the competition is leaps and bounds ahead and is surely going to be a deal-breaker to many.

Though the space on offer in the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is quite decent in comparison to the likes of the GMC Savana 3500 Cargo Van and Ford Transit Cargo Van, the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van takes the cake for being the most spacious of the lot with the best in class headroom and shoulder room. The cargo capacity of 239.4 cubic feet of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is also not the best either.

How’s the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van's infotainment system?

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van comes with the standard AM/FM stereo infotainment system with MP3 playback, auxiliary jack, and a 2-speaker audio system. This system is just there to fill in the brochure and is not going to impress anyone. The audio quality through the 2-speaker setup is terrible too. However, there is an optional 6.5” touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation system. Even this system feels archaic, with a laggy response and poor quality display.

Some of the features of the infotainment system that comes with the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van are mentioned below:

• Optional 6.5” touchscreen infotainment system
• 2-speaker audio system
• MP3 playback
• Aux input
• SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation with the optional system
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot capability
• AM/FM radio

The exterior of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van receives no changes from the 2019 model and comes with the same front fascia with a large horizontal chrome bar running across the grille with a bow tie neatly embedded into it. There are also halogen headlights and indicators that are being separated by this chrome bar, making it look quite butchy and timeless. We also loved the massive bumpers that are neatly incorporated into the body. 

The side profile looks plain and basic with small 16” tires that are draped in 245/75 tires filling the wheel wells. Large side mirrors and subtle character lines do help it stand out a bit. However, it still looks bland in comparison to Ford and RAM. The rear silhouette receives high mounted tail lights aiding for better visibility and a large single exhaust outlet, along with a chunky black bumper and massive rear window area. Overall, the van does look neat and well proportioned but doesn’t have the same finesse as the rivals like the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster Cargo Van.

With the facelift of the first generation running without many changes for more than 17 years, the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van does look quite old and long in the tooth. The heavy curb weight of more than 5,000 lbs makes it a terrible performer too. In comparison, we feel that the Chevrolet looks and feels unappealing barring the well-proportioned design and subtle yet elegant front fascia.

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is constructed mainly in high tensile steel, and because of that, the build quality on offer is quite remarkable. It feels strong and durable, and the panels of this cargo van could easily take a beating. The door and hood are extremely heavy too, in comparison to the likes of Ram and Ford. Even though the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van hasn’t been tested by the NHTSA and IIHS yet, we are pretty sure that the van would score decently well when it gets tested.

Another thing that we loved about the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van is the decent list of safety features on offer for a full-size van. Many of the advanced active and passive safety features do come with the Express 3500 Cargo Van, which is a great addition to an already well-built van. Some of these features are mentioned below:

• Hill-start assist
• StabiliTrak traction assistance and vehicle stability management
• LED DRLs
• Side impact beams
• Airbags
• OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services capable
• RearVision camera
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning system

2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van Vs Ford Transit Cargo Van

The Ford Transit Cargo Van is one of the best options in the full-size cargo van segment with its comparable powertrain and a spacious interior, quite similar to that of the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van. However, Ford goes a couple of steps further by offering better gas mileage and a more premium interior with a decent features list.

2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van Vs RAM ProMaster Cargo Van 

The RAM ProMaster Cargo Van with its powerful motor that not only has great towing capacity but also returns segment-leading gas mileage and the most spacious interior makes it the best buy of the segment. Furthermore, RAM is loaded with features too, making it impossible to strike off from the list.

2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van Vs GMC Savana 3500 Cargo Van

Though both the Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van and GMC Savana 3500 Cargo Van are quite similar, the interior quality and features are slightly better in GMC than in the Chevrolet. Being similarly priced to the Chevrolet, also makes the GMC a more tempting purchase than the Chevrolet.

The 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van has got the basics covered for being a great cargo van that can haul anything with impressive agility. However, it sure does have a lot of loose ends for being an all-rounder. With the fierce competition from the likes of RAM ProMaster Cargo Van and Ford Transit Cargo Van, both of which offer better in terms of features, interior comfort, modern exterior design, and fuel efficiency, the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van does look slightly undesirable in comparison. Hence, if you are looking for a basic work van that can haul cargo brilliantly, the 2020 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van does make sense. However, there are many more superior alternatives out there that need to be checked out before putting your money down.