2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Reviews, Pricing & Specs

When it comes to cargo vans, it’s Ford’s game. The Ford Transit is the model to beat in the segment, but that hasn’t stopped General Motors...

When it comes to cargo vans, it’s Ford’s game. The Ford Transit is the model to beat in the segment, but that hasn’t stopped General Motors from carrying on with vans from both Chevrolet and GMC. The Chevrolet Express and its sibling, the GMC Savana, aren’t the most advanced or up-to-date vehicles in the segment, but they offer good variety in both powertrain choices and options packages.

As it turns out, it doesn’t take much to stay on the cargo van cutting edge, but Chevy has done plenty with the Express for 2021. The van’s optional 6.0-liter V8 has been replaced with a 6.6-liter unit that is shared with the Silverado HD pickup truck. The 276-horsepower V6 remains standard and the diesel engine remains in the catalog from the year before. A shuffling of gross vehicle weights and capabilities is also in the cards for the new vans.

Power ratings for the optional engines are all over the map. The 6.6-liter V8 makes 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. The 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder produces 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Max towing with the optional engines lands at 7,000 pounds and the van can haul up to 4,280 pounds of payload.

Inside, the Express can be configured as a passenger van, but cargo vans are literally a blank canvas for owners to build on. There’s no high-roof option as there is with some of the Express’ competition, but the back area can be upgraded with shelving, racks, and other storage solutions for various professional situations.

Technology is fairly basic but does include a standard AM/FM radio and a WiFi hotspot. Various options packages are available, which include an audio upgrade with SiriusXM radio and a CD player. Telematics are also available for fleet management. Safety equipment is similarly basic, but there are options to add blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warnings, forward-collision warning, and more.

The 2021 Chevrolet Express is on sale now. The base Cargo Van 2500 starts at $33,795 and the Cargo Van 3500 starts at $36,985. Pricing for the passenger vans starts at around $3,000 more than their cargo-carrying counterparts.