Chevys cargo van is that old man from your neighborhood who can bench more than the fit muscle-heads could not. Express cargo is now an experienced contender, providing the best with very few upgrades.
The 2017 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van, starting at $30,745, is an affordable and reliable option. Twenty years down the line, and there is nothing new to observe in this van, not even a cosmetic facelift. There are some engine upgrades, Express Cargo is now available with a 4.8L V8, which can churn 285hp of power and 295ft-lbs of torque. Not many recommend Chevy’s cargo van but in our opinion, Chevy’s van is quite good and comes with ample cargo space (like every van) and 10,000 pounds towing capacity in its base offering, something its competition the Ford Transit, Nissan NV, and Ram ProMaster do not offer.
Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van is available in only one trim, the WT trim. However, Chevrolet created an extended version of its WT trim. The Express Cargo is available in different powertrains as well where you can opt for a powerful 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine if the 4.8 liter does not meet your requirements. There are multiple add-ons to consider in the Chevrolet cargo van, the packages include many modifications to the basic van.
Trims |
WT |
---|---|
MSRP |
$30,745 |
Key Features |
4.8 liter V8 |
Available 6.0 Vortec V8 |
|
10,000-pound towing capacity |
|
3,247-pound payload capacity |
|
Available sliding third door |
|
Heated power mirrors |
|
Available cruise control |
We Recommend
Express cargo is available in only one trim but with different engine and wheelbase options. The recommendation in this segment totally depends on the usage, and that differs from user to user. We would recommend seeing the customization packages for any trade-specific need you may have - carpentry, construction, etc.
The 2017 Express Cargo van is powered by a 4.8 liter V8 making 285 hp of power and 295 lb-ft of torque, which provides this van with almost sufficient power. There is the option of a 6.0 liter Vortec V8, which makes 329 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired to a 6-speed heavy-duty transmission, which directs all the power to the rear wheels.
Models |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$30,745 |
$34,590 |
$34,295 |
$27,730 |
Engine |
4.8L V8 |
3.7L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
4.0L V6 |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
6-speed automatic |
5-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
285hp |
275hp |
280hp |
261hp |
Torque |
295ft-lbs. |
260ft-lbs. |
260ft-lbs. |
281ft-lbs. |
The Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is the most powerful of the above making 285hp. Then comes the Ram ProMaster Cargo van making 280 hp, Ford Transit making 275hp, and then comes the Nissan NV Cargo Van, which makes 261hp and is the least powerful of the above.
The Chevrolet Express Cargo van takes 8.5 sec to reach 60 mph and completes the standing quarter-mile in 16.5 seconds, which is okay for a cargo van. The Chevrolet Express cargo van is not to be drag raced but used for carrying and towing, so these numbers are not that important, but it is good to know.
Models |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
8.4sec |
7.5sec |
7.7 sec |
9.4 sec |
Quarter mile |
16.5sec |
15.9sec |
16.1 sec |
17.6 sec |
Engine |
4.8L V8 |
3.7L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
4.0L V6 |
Top Speed |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The Ford Transit van does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, then comes the Ram ProMaster with a time of 7.7 seconds, Chevrolet Express with 8.4 seconds, and the Nissan NV Cargo van with a time of 9.4 seconds. In the quarter-mile drag race, again Ford Transit dominates the rivals with a timing of 15.9 seconds.
Chevys van is equipped with a front independent suspension, which provides this vehicle with a bit of a bouncy ride. If you are dealing with the shipping of fragile packages, this ride might be a piece of bad news. Steering response is a bit rusty, and a slightly longer turning radius could be a nightmare to maneuver around the city if you have the extended wheelbase.
The Chevrolet Express Cargo van comes equipped with power disc brakes seized at 12.8-inches and 13-inches. These brakes are good enough to manage the van and even bring it to a stop. The Express cargo van may have remained the same since its introduction in the market, but it has been given the feature of ABS.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
12.8 |
12.1 |
11.8 |
14.2 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
13 |
12.1 |
11.0 |
14.4 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
5345 |
4866 |
4773 |
5807 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The biggest brakes are on the Nissan NV Cargo van. Then comes the Chevrolet Express Cargo van with 12.8-inch brakes and 13-inch brakes. Following this is the Ford Transit van, and then comes the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van with the smallest brakes. The braking distance is not available for any of the vans on the table.
Cargo vans are rarely used for towing but if you are in need of extra space and cannot fit anything inside, find a trailer and attach it to Chevys Express cargo. Express cargo can tow up to 10,000 lbs. of anything you can attach to it. The towing figure of Express stands like a giant in the segment.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
10,000 |
5,400 |
5,100 |
2,000 |
The best towing capacity belongs to the Chevrolet Express of 10,000 pounds, this is thanks to its V8 engine. Then comes the Ford Transit cargo van, which can tow 5,400 pounds, Ram Promaster cargo with 5,100 pounds, and then comes the Nissan NV Cargo Van, which can tow 2,000 pounds.
The EPA does not provide mpg figures for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. So we cannot comment on the mpg figures or the range provided by the Chevrolet Express cargo van. However, many have said it gives an average of 13-15 mpg. This number is said to be without carrying any payload or cargo. Chevrolet installs a 31-gallon fuel tank, which should give it a decent range.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
MPG (highway) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
MPG (combined) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Fuel Capacity |
31 |
25 |
24 |
28 |
Range (city/highway/combined) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The largest fuel tank is in the Chevrolet Express Cargo van of 31 gallons. The next biggest is the Nissan NV Cargo van of 28 gallons, followed by the Ford Transit of 25 gallons, and then comes the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van of 24 gallons.
The Chevrolet Express Cargo van is meant for work, and this shows with the interior. The interior can seat two and has a functional design that is clearly out of the 90s. The seats are bucket seats and are upholstered in heavy-duty vinyl. The headliner is cloth, and the flooring is again a combination of heavy-duty rubber and vinyl. As we said, it's all functional. For comfort, there is a single zone air conditioning available.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
41.7/54.1/42.6 |
40.8/67.9/39.7 |
N/A/74.8/38.8 |
42.8/65.7/42.0 |
The Chevrolet Express Cargo van offers the most legroom out of the above vans, offering 42.6 inches. Then comes the Nissan NV Cargo van offering 42-inches, the Ford Transit offering 39.7-inches, and then comes the Ram Promaster offering 38.8-inches. Few key interior features include-
There is an infotainment system available on the Chevrolet Express but does not come with a display that you see on cars today. It is a radio display and comes with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary jack. Satellite radio is also optional, and there are two door speakers included in the build. Few key features are-
The Chevrolet Express Cargo van can carry 239.7 cu.ft of cargo. This means that you can fit a lot of things inside up to a weight of 3,247 pounds, it can easily carry the cargo area of the van. This is also the area where Chevrolet can make all the modifications for any trade-specific needs you may have.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume (ft.3) |
239.7 |
246.0 |
406 |
234.1 |
The most cargo volume is offered by a Ram Promaster of 406 cu.ft. of space, then comes the Ford Transit with 239 cu.ft. of space. Following the above two is the Chevrolet Express cargo with 239.7 cu.ft. of space and then comes the Nissan NV Cargo with 234.1 cu.ft. of space.
The Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo van is still in its first generation, hence, since 1996, it has not received a visual update as its competition has. You still get the passenger side 60/40 swing-out door with the option of a sliding door along with the black grille with a big golden Chevrolet bow tie on it. The van is completed with a set of 16” wheels, which come in one design and one design only.
Model |
Chevrolet Express Cargo |
Ford Transit Van |
Ram Promaster Cargo Van |
Nissan NV Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
5345 |
4866 |
4773 |
5807 |
Length(in) |
224.1in. |
217.8 |
236.0in. |
240.6 |
Width(in) |
79.2in. |
81.3 |
82.7in. |
79.9 |
Height(in) |
84.6in. |
100.8 |
101.0in. |
83.6 |
Ground clearance (in) |
7.1in. |
— |
6.9in. |
8.1 |
Wheelbase (in) |
135.0in. |
129.9 |
136 |
146.1 |
Track width (in) F/R |
N/A |
68.2/68.6 |
68.7/68.9 |
The Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo van is of similar dimensions as the rest of the cars except for the length where the Ford transit is shorter and the Ram and Nissan are longer. In terms of Cargo weight, the Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo van sits comfortably in the middle of the lightest and the heaviest.
The NHTSA and the IIHS have not yet rated the Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van. However, Chevrolet has included a lot of safety features in the van to keep its occupants safe. Chevrolet has provided Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags as standard with the van. Some of the important safety features are:
Ford's Transit vans popularity amongst small business owners and cargo shipment firms says a lot about its reliability. Ford might not be performing better than Chevy but it keeps a ton of safety and convenience features under its sleeve, making it a popular van. The all-new Transit van is priced a bit higher than the Express and lacks a lot in towing capacity.
ProMaster cargo is the only cargo van that can provide up to 406 cu.ft. of cargo space, and that makes Ram a more practical option than its competitors. Decent power output and fuel economy are some positive aspects of this van. Overall, the van is much more expensive than Chevrolet Express and does not offer any added equipment packages to it nor a large towing capacity like the Express.
The cheapest and the least powerful option in this segment, this van is clearly not what van buyers have in mind. Nissan’s NV Cargo Van cannot keep up with its rivals in terms of cargo space and does keep the driver comfortable. There are extended roof options that can improve the cargo capacity, but the Express has more power and even towing capacity adding to its practicality.
The 2017 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is a practical cargo van with few features. Its high towing capacity provides this cargo van with an added advantage. The Chevrolet Express Cargo van is kept with one intention in mind - work, and its shows in the interior, infotainment system, and its look. A new look would be nice to see, but based on its performance alone, this is a good van.