2010 Chevrolet Express

The 2010 Chevrolet Express passenger van seats anywhere from 8 to 15 people, and carries up to 217.1 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats removed. Though offered in two trim levels, LS and LT, this carryover from ’09 has three sub-trims, the base 1500, mid-level 2500, and top-end 3500. The 2010 Chevy Express 1500 can be delivered in either a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration, while the 2500 and 3500 are RWD only. Additionally, the 2010 Express 3500 is the only trim offered in a 155-inch wheelbase, 15-passenger extended version. Additionally, the 2010 Express offers two front doors, a double swing-out rear passenger door, and a double-swing-out cargo door.

The 2010 Express 1500 comes with a standard 5.3-liter Flex Fuel V8 engine, along with its accompanying four-speed automatic transmission. This combo is good for 301 hp at 5,200 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The EPA estimates a woeful 12/16 mpg for the 5.3-liter V8. Express 2500 and 3500 trims are equipped with a 6.0-liter Flex Fuel V8, with a new-for-2010 standard six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode expected to manage it. This pairing ought to put out 323 hp at 4,600 rpm and 373 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, good enough to tow 7,600 pounds of trailer when properly equipped. EPA estimates are unavailable for the 6.0-liter V8, however, with their Flex Fuel (FFV) configuration, both engines are capable of burning E85 ethanol-based fuel.

Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the 2010 Chevrolet Express fleet-intended LS trims are a bit lean, with 17-inch steel wheels offered with the 1500 trims, 16-inch wheels with the 2500 and 3500 trims, front bucket seats, front air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo with two speakers being about the extent of things. The 2010 Express LT adds power windows, door locks, and mirrors, rear seat air conditioning, cruise control, remote keyless entry, and tilt-wheel steering, all of which are options with the LS trims. Additional options for both trims include remote start, a 6-CD changer, power-adjustable front seats, upgraded chrome and wheels, a sliding rear passenger door, and a Trailering Equipment Package. As for seating configurations, the 2010 Express 1500 trims come with standard three-row, eight-passenger seating, while the 2500 and 3500 regular-wheelbase (135 inches) trims each offer standard 12-passenger seating in four rows, with the 3500 Extended version capable of seating 15 passengers in five rows.

Safety features for the 2010 Chevrolet Express include four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, front, rear, and third-row head curtain airbags, dusk-sensing headlights, and daytime running lights.

Owners of the ‘09 Chevrolet Express have somewhat divergent opinions regarding this full-size van. The consensus seems to be that the ’09 Express is a middling-passable van that’s a bit short on build quality, acceleration, and gas mileage. Roominess, luggage space, and styling, however, keep the Chevy Express solidly in the minds of consumers, despite GM's recent financial woes.

By Eric Tallberg