2021 Chevrolet Express Review

The Chevrolet Express is a full-size van, sold in both cargo and passenger variants. It’s been around in the same basic form since the 1995 model year, with incremental changes along the way. For the 2021 model year, it gets a new engine offering.

The base setup for the Express is a 4.3-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque, plus an eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a turbocharged 2.8-liter inline-four diesel on offer, with 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and the same eight-speed automatic transmission. At the top of the range, last year’s 6.0-liter V8 goes away, in favor of a new 6.6-liter V8 that puts out 401 hp and 464 lb-ft, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the old engine, those are improvements of 60 hp and 91 lb-ft. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the only setup across the entire Express range.

The cargo van comes in 2500 and 3500 guises, and in regular and extended-wheelbase lengths. Depending upon which one you choose, there’s a maximum gross-vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 9,900 pounds, a maximum payload of 4,280 pounds, and a maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds. The passenger van comes in the same variants and seats between 12 and 15 people.

Standard features on the base cargo WT and passenger LS trim levels include 16-inch steel wheels, hill-start assist, stability control, daytime running lamps, power windows, an AM/FM stereo with MP3 capability, air conditioning, and power door locks. Options include five-passenger seating (for cargo models), 15-passenger seating (for passenger models), six-way power front seats, a CD player, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power exterior mirrors, an engine-block heater remote start, a tilting steering wheel, and heavy-duty trailering equipment.

Like most commercial vehicles, standard safety equipment on the Express as a whole is pretty light, consisting of just a federally-mandated reversing camera. Rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring are optional.