Used 2018 Chevrolet Express 2500 Base for sale 

Chevy's cargo van is available in only one trim, the WT trim. However, Chevrolet offers an extended version of its WT trim. For 2018, the Chevrolet Express Cargo only the 4.3L V-8 engine is offered, the larger V-8 and the Duramax diesel are not currently offered on new cars.

Buying Advice

Express cargo is available in only one trim but with different engine and wheelbase options. The recommendation in this segment depends on the usage and that differs from user to user. We would anyway recommend choosing the more fuel-efficient 4 cylinder engine and the extended-wheelbase model to make up for less cargo space.

The van & minivan segment is not a segment for weak engines, you need powerful large V-8s with the towing capability to be competitive. Chevy used to provide its van the powerful Duramax V8 though the diesel motor will not be available now. The van is powered by a 4.3L V-6 gasoline motor, which makes 276 horsepower and 298 foot-pounds of torque

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The motor is mated to a capable and reliable 8-speed automatic gearbox, which offers overdrive, engine braking, Tow/Haul mode, and other features. The power is sent only to the rear wheels, which helps in the vans towing character.

The 4.8L V8 Vortec is the default engine in express cargo and the output this engine provides is best-in-class. The neck-to-neck competition in this segment makes it clear that there is a wide spectrum of options to choose from. Ford and Ram being expensive than Chevy, fail to provide better output.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van Acceleration

Chevy's cargo van might have been in production without any major updates unlike the Ram Promaster or the Ford Transit, but it retains a powerful and responsive powertrain. This van by Chevy with its 4.8L V8 takes 8.5sec to reach the 60mph mark, this might not be the best in class but it proves that despite getting old it can keep up with its competitors.

Quickest in this segment is the Ford, which takes just 7.5sec to reach 60mph. Even the RAM Rpomaster is quite fast off the mark and reaches the quarter-mile a tad bit quicker. The Nissan NV is the most gradual in its acceleration amongst the competitors.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Ride & Handling

The van itself is quite boxy and difficult to handle. Most of the competitors offer better electrically assisted steerings that feel akin to passenger cars, though the Express retains the old hydraulic system, which can be a bit fatiguing after long use. The van has a hefty bit of body roll when hitting corners, and even crosswind on open stretches. 

The engine itself is quite responsive, and the throttle gets the van going. Though in acceleration terms, we wouldn't expect much from the car, as even when it builds up speed it is without any burst of motion, and rather a gradual and slow motion. Overall the van does what it intends to, with minimal fuss.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Braking

Vans are not made for sudden braking as the consequences are a bit rough. Maybe this was the reason most of Chevy's rivals are equipped with features like brake assist and ABS, but express was neglected with these upgrades. Although like most other vans, the gearbox will automatically employ engine braking to slow the van down. The brae itself feels quite hefty and is one of the older feeling bits in the van.

The lighter frames on the Transit and the Promaster prove more effective in stopping. Transit in the modern era has almost passenger cars like brakes, which seem much more reliable and easier to operate.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Towing Capacity

Cargo vans are rarely used for towing, but if you require extra space and cannot fit anything inside, find a trailer attached to Chevy's express cargo. Express cargo can tow up to 10,000lbs. of load and that is one best-in-class figure. 

The towing capacity of Ford is also impressive but it is nothing compared to what Chevy has to offer. Similarly, the Ram Promaster has even lower capability considering that it is an FWD car. The Nissan NV also has a lower towing capability as compared to the Express Cargo.

Despite being heavy and rather mediocre in its looks this van is not a gas-guzzler. It can chew up to 24 miles in just one gallon of gas and on highways it can cram 26 miles in just one gallon. Vans are mostly used by businesses situated in urban or semi-urban regions, Chevy won't burn a hole in small business owner's pockets. Although Chevrolet has decided to retire the cheaper and more efficient CNG engine option for the Express from 2018 onwards.

The Express Cargo and even the GMC Savan have a comparably large fuel tank on them. While even without the tank, these vans have a great fuel economy. The range for the Express can be expected to be the most amongst its competitors.

There is not much to notice inside express cargo, the blacked-out interiors with awkwardly placed buttons. The cheap plastic inside represents the amount of time Chevrolet invested in designing the interiors of the Express, although that is expected as the van is intended to be a commercial vehicle. 

At least on the front bench, the Express Cargo Van has the best-in-class legroom. but it is overshadowed by the tiny shoulder room the van offers, particularly with the 3seat configuration at the front. The RAM Promaster offers some of the best space even in its front seats.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Infotainment System

Express cargo van is fitted with a relatively small infotainment screen for a van or even for a car. The infotainment system is available with AM/FM radio and comes with an auxiliary jack. CD players are not standard and that can be labeled as an upgrade because CDs are now history and most would prefer using their phones. Satellite radio is also optional, while the speakers seem adequate for the cabin, there are only two of them right at the front. Some standout features in infotainment are:

• 4G LTE WiFi
• 12-V power outlet
• OnStar Connected Services
• SiriusXM all-access subscription (3-months trial)
• Bluetooth audio streaming for select phones
• A USB port
• AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player

2018 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo - Cargo Volume

Cargo vans are meant to stack huge racks of cargo and these are probably the only numbers that matter while buying a cargo van. Chevy's express cargo is not a good performer in this category, the competitors all offer better storage in their loading bay.

Chevy can load up to 239.7ft3 of cargo which is not great for a small business owner, the absence of the taller roof also takes away points from usability. There is an extended wheelbase version that makes up for it but even with an extended wheelbase it just cannot keep up with what Ram has to provide, 456ft3 of cargo space.

The express van was released when Bill Clinton was elected as the President for the second time, and from that era, there are not many face-lifts to this cargo van. The same old design is still in production, it might enliven the old-faithful consumers of Chevrolet, but not the younger generations. The bland and unimpressive styling is not very persuasive and not that great in terms of practicality. The car features normal incandescent bulbs on both headlamps and taillamps with no LED DRLs.

The Van has quite a long wheelbase and length even in the smaller wheelbase version. Although it is quite narrow. The most notable part about the exterior is that bar the Nissan NV, the Chevrolet Express’s aging frame is the heaviest in the class.

The Chevrolet Express Cargo is intended only for commercial use, and as such, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has rated the crashworthiness of the vehicle. Chevrolet also loads the van with some of the most basic safety features like hill-descent assist, braking assist, tow/haul assist, and so on. Some standout safety features in the van are:

• Airbags on the front
• Stability Control and Traction control will make sure the vehicle doesn't lose traction. 
• Engine Immobilizer
• Rear Center 3-Point belt
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Stability Control
• Child Seat Anchors
• Rear Door Child Safety Locks
• 4-Wheel ABS
• Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van Vs. Ford Transit Cargo Van

Ford's Transit van's 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 Chevy and provides a lot more added benefits.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van Vs. Ram Promaster Cargo Van

Promaster cargo is the only cargo van in this segment that can provide up to 456ft3 of cargo space and that makes Ram a more practical option than its competitors. Mediocre power output and fuel economy are some positive aspects of this van. Overall, the van is much more expensive than Chevy and does not offer any added features to it.

2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van Vs. Nissan NV Cargo Van

The cheapest and the weakest option in this segment, this Japanese is not what van buyers have in mind. Nissan's cargo van cannot keep up with its rivals in terms of cargo space and towing capacity, the best-in-class legroom sure does keep the driver comfortable. There are extended roof options that can improve cargo capacity.

The 2018 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is a practical cargo van with not many fancy features. Its fuel economy and best-in-class towing capacity provide this cargo van with an added advantage. But after looking at the competition, Chevy is not the choice to consider.