The Chevrolet Express is a relic of a full-size passenger van designed for easy customization for commercial fleets. Rivals include the related GMC Savana as well as the Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit.

What’s New for the 2023 Chevrolet Express

The Chevrolet Express shares its bones with the GMC Savana van. The Express seats 12 passengers in its standard configuration, though the available Extended Wheelbase model increases capacity to 15. The Express hasn’t changed much since the early 1990s, and it falls short of rivals in terms of efficiency as well as safety and infotainment technology offerings.

Design

The Express is available in 2500 and 3500 versions, which affect towing and payload capacity. The 2500 model is available only in Regular Wheelbase configuration, while the 3500 is available in both Regular and Extended Wheelbase options. You’ll need the 3500 Extended Wheelbase model to upgrade from 12-passenger to 15-passenger seating capacity. The design is deliberately simple, though dated, and it looks every bit its age. That said, the Express is designed to be upgraded or "upfitted" for purposes like airport shuttles or wheelchair-accessible transport.

Powertrain

The 2023 Express comes standard with a 4.3-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD). This powertrain is rated for 276 horsepower and 298 pound-feet of torque. If you need more power, the Express is available with a 6.6-liter V8 that produces 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, paired with a heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike many rivals, the Chevy Express lineup is not available with an all-wheel drive (AWD) option.

Interior

The base Express in LS trim includes seating for 12 passengers, cloth front bucket seats with manual adjustments, air conditioning, 12- and 120-volt power outlets, auxiliary lighting, a carpeted floor, a center console storage bin, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, and power locks and windows. Options include seating for 15 passengers (in the 3500 Extended Wheelbase model), vinyl upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and keyless entry.

Technology

The base Chevy Express includes an eight-point digital compass, an AM/FM stereo with an MP3 player, interior lighting, OnStar, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Available upgrades include a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Many rivals, most notably the Ford Transit vans, offer more comfort and infotainment features, like touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

Safety

Large passenger vans and similar commercial vehicles aren’t typically crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the Chevy Express is no exception. The Express comes standard with a reversing camera, lane-departure warning, hill-start assist, and GM’s OnStar telematics system. Blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning are available.

Pricing

The 2023 Chevrolet Express passenger van is on sale now. As of this writing, Chevy lists pricing for the base 2500 Regular Wheelbase model as $44,095 MSRP. For the 3500 Regular Wheelbase model, the MSRP starts at $45,295. The 3500 Extended Wheelbase van configuration has a base MSRP of $46,095.