2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo Trims and Specs

Forget the typical soccer-mom ride. The 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van is a full-size, 2-passenger workhorse featuring a passenger-side access door and rear swing-open cargo door—perfect for the equipment, not so much for the team. Spartan yet accommodating, this big Chevy van boasts 270 cubic feet of payload room, along with standard 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl upholstery, a trip computer and air conditioning. Phone pre-wiring and two speakers, meantime, are the sole standard concessions to entertainment and communications whims.

Options, on the other hand, can make the 2012 Express 1500 Cargo van, if not palatial, at least more in keeping with expected creature comforts for the average driver. The Express Access Package features remote-opening bins for side compartments, remote engine start and remote keyless entry, while the Enhanced Lighting Package adds extra dashboard and cabin lights. The Chrome Appearance Package, meantime, lathers the exterior in chrome, while the Convenience Package throws power windows and door locks into the mix and, combined with the Power Packages, adds to that heated power-adjustable, turn-signal-integrated outside mirrors. Standalone options include a 3.73 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty trailer towing equipment, a locking rear differential, cloth seats, cruise control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt-wheel steering, a single-CD player with AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth-interfaced OnStar Directions and Connections with emergency services and a rear driver’s-side swing-out access door.

Powering the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Express Cargo 1500 is a 195-hp 4.3-liter V6 engine. Combined with the standard 4-speed automatic transmission, this entry-level van puts out 260 lb-ft of torque, gets an estimated 15 mpg city/20 highway and can tow up to 6,700 pounds when properly equipped.

Look for 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) in the 2012 Express 1500 Cargo, as well as traction and stability control and front head airbags. Daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a vehicle antitheft system round out the standard safety features aboard this sizable work van.

The three-quarter-ton 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 full-size work van takes utility to a whole other level. With 16-inch steel wheels and vinyl upholstery, this is a pretty Spartan workhorse, but 270.4 cubic feet of cargo area, passenger-side rear access door, rear swing-out cargo doors and a standard V8 powerplant keep it work-focused and duty-bound. There are a couple of standard amenities, such as a trip computer, air conditioning, a pair of speakers (with no standard audio system) and phone pre-wiring, but features-wise, this heavy hauler won’t be confused with its Cadillac cousins.

Options, on the other hand, are plentiful, beginning with the Express Access Package, which stars remote-opening side bin doors, remote vehicle start and remote keyless entry. Then there are such available goodies as the Chrome Appearance Package, with added exterior chrome accents, and the Convenience Package, with power windows, door locks and outside mirrors. A pair of Power Packages can be combined with the Convenience Package for heated, turn-signal-integrated outside mirrors, while a 3.73 rear axle ratio, a heavy-duty rear locking differential and heavy-duty trailer-towing equipment may also be added. Finally, Chevy’s hefty Express Cargo 2500 is additionally eligible for such standalone options as tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a single-CD player with AM/FM stereo, a swing-out driver’s side cargo door and Bluetooth-interfaced OnStar Directions and Connections with emergency services.

Standard power for the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Express Cargo 2500 is an ethanol-capable (FFV) 4.8-liter V8 engine that combines with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission for 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Payload is maxed out at some 3,222 pounds with the small V8, and mileage is estimated at 11 mpg city/17 highway.

A 6.0-liter FFV V8 rated for 324 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque is available to the Express Cargo 2500, with the standard 6-speed automatic ensuring a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Mileage with this beefed-up V8, meanwhile, is estimated at 10/16. Additionally, the three-quarter-ton Cargo 2500 can be fitted with a compressed natural gas (CNG) 6.0-liter V8, keeping the same 6-speed automatic, with horsepower and torque figures mirroring those of the gasoline-powered version.

Standard safety features in the 2012 Express Cargo 2500 include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, and front head airbags. Then there are such additional standard safety items as daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a vehicle antitheft system.

For 2012, the Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 Ext. features 20 extra inches of overall length and wheelbase, at 244 inches and 155 inches, respectively. This means, obviously, a considerable increase in cargo space to 313.9 cubic feet. Otherwise, this full-size, 2-passenger work van remains as unadorned as its siblings, sporting standard 16-inch steel wheels, vinyl front bucket seats, a trip computer and air conditioning. Standard phone pre-wiring and two unemployed speakers, meanwhile, represent its only concessions to entertainment and communications requirements.

Options, on the other hand, can go some distance toward bringing this Spartan hauler up to some sort of comfort and convenience standard. The Express Access Package, for instance, features side cargo bins with remote-opening doors, remote engine start and keyless entry, while adding the Enhanced Lighting Package means upgraded cabin and dash lighting. The Convenience Package throws in power windows, door locks and outside mirrors, with the Power Package adding heated and turn-signal-integrated outside mirrors. A heavy-duty rear locking differential, a 3.73 rear axle ratio and heavy-duty trailer-towing equipment result in a hefty uptick in utility, while available cloth upholstery, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a driver’s side rear access door contribute mightily to driver compatibility. Believe it or not, a couple of techno-gizmos, including Bluetooth-capable OnStar Directions and Connections service with emergency communications, as well as a single-CD player with AM/FM stereo, are also available to this three-quarter-ton workhorse.

Standard power for the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Express Cargo 2500 Ext. is a 4.8-liter ethanol-capable (FFV) V8 engine that mates with the standard 6-speed automatic transmission for 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Payload capacity is some 3,000 pounds, and gas mileage is estimated at 11 mpg city/17 highway.

Also available for this full-size workhorse is a 324-hp 6.0-liter FFV V8, again with the 6-speed automatic transmission, that’ll pump out 380 lb-ft of torque to the estimated-mileage tune of 10/16. With the proper equipment this stretched-out Chevy van can tow more than 9,000 pounds and haul over 3,000 pounds of payload. A compressed natural gas (CNG) 6.0-liter V8, again with the 6-speed automatic, is also available to the Express Cargo 2500 Ext. Horsepower and torque figures mirror those of the gas-powered version.

Standard safety equipment aboard the 2012 Express Cargo 2500 Ext. includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front head airbags, daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a vehicle antitheft system.

For maximum heavy-hauling duties look to the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo 3500 one-ton full-size cargo van. This 2-passenger workhorse boasts over 270 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the front seats, as well as standard rear swing-out cargo doors, a passenger-side rear access door, 16-inch steel wheels, a pair of vinyl bucket seats, a trip computer, air conditioning, two speakers and phone pre-wiring. Luxurious, it’s not. But, should some extra appearance accoutrements, creature comforts or load capabilities be needed, options abound. The Convenience Package, for instance, adds power windows, door locks and outside mirrors, and the accompanying Power Package throws in heated, turn-signal-integrated outside mirrors. Then there’s the Express Access Package, which includes side bins with remote-opening doors, remote vehicle start and keyless entry, while the Enhanced Lighting Package offers upgraded dash and cabin lighting. The Chrome Appearance Package spiffs up the exterior, while an available 3.73 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty locking rear differential and heavy-duty trailer-towing equipment builds the Express 3500’s muscle. Finally, standalone options include cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, driver’s side swing-out rear cargo door, single-CD player with AM/FM stereo and the popular Bluetooth-interfaced OnStar Directions and Connections with emergency services.

Powered by the standard 4.8-liter ethanol-capable Flex-Fuel (FFV) V8 and the standard 6-speed automatic transmission, this big van is endowed with 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Payload capacity, meantime, is 4,238 pounds, while mileage, despite variable valve timing (VVT), is estimated at 10 mpg city/16 highway.

Available in the Express 3500 for 2012 is a VVT 6.0-liter Flex-Fuel V8 and 6-speed automatic that’ll lay out 324 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, again to the tune of 10/16. Towing, meanwhile, is bumped up to some 10,000 pounds with the proper equipment. Additionally, a compressed natural gas (CNG) 6.0-liter V8 engine, again with the 6-speed automatic, is also available to the Express 3500 with no change in performance figures from the gasoline-burning version.

Standard safety features in Chevy’s supersize Express 3500 include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front head airbags, daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a vehicle antitheft system.

The only all-wheel-drive-equipped (AWD) work van in Chevy’s Express lineup is the 2012 Express Cargo 1500 AWD. This full-size, 2-passenger hauler flaunts rear swing-out cargo doors, a passenger-side rear access door, 270.4 cubic feet of cargo area behind the vinyl-clad front seats, 17-inch steel wheels, a trip computer and air conditioning, all standard. Two speakers and phone pre-wiring, meantime, are its only concessions to entertainment and communications needs.

If a few more accommodations to comfort and utility are desired, there are a number of options for this AWD worker. The Express Access Package offers side access compartments with remote-opening doors, remote engine start and keyless entry, with the Enhanced Lighting Package adding dash and cabin lighting. The Chrome Appearance Package, meanwhile, adds chrome accents outside, while the Convenience Package throws in power windows and door locks and can be combined with two Power Packages for heated, power-adjustable, turn-signal-integrated outside mirrors. An available 3.73 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty locking rear differential and a heavy-duty trailer-towing package are all options, as is a rear driver’s-side swing-out access door. Further options available for the 2012 Express Cargo 1500 AWD include tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth-integrated OnStar Directions and Connections with Emergency Services and a single-CD player with AM/FM stereo.

In a departure from its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sibling, the 2012 Express Cargo 1500 AWD boasts a standard 5.3-liter ethanol-capable (FFV) V8 powerplant that again mates with the standard 4-speed automatic transmission. This combo is good for 310 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque to the tune of 13 mpg city/17 highway. Towing is maxed out at 6,400 pounds with the proper equipment, and the AWD system is managed by a viscous limited-slip center differential.

Safety-wise, look for 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) in the 2012 Express Cargo 1500 AWD, as well as traction and stability control. Front head airbags are also standard, as are daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a vehicle antitheft system.