2021 Chevy Express Cargo Review

Name: 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Review
Brand: Chevrolet
Price: 19600 USD
Rating: 3.6 (29 reviews)

Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van Exterior

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2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Review

byRonald Montoya^{Senior Consumer Advice Editor & Content Strategy
Ronald Montoya has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written over a thousand car related articles and bought and sold over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Ronald is a senior consumer advice editor and content strategy at Edmunds and has also contributed to the Associated Press. He has also been featured on ABC, NBC and NPR on a number of car shopping topics. He got his start in the auto industry by taking a part-time job at a car dealership, where he worked in the service and accounting department.}

Pros

Powerful V8 and efficient diesel engines
Payload and towing capacities at or near the top of its class

Cons

Less cargo space than many competitors
No high-roof option or available all-wheel drive
Dated interior styling and driving experience

What's new

A new, more powerful 6.6-liter V8 replaces previous V8
Navigation system no longer available
Part of the first Express generation introduced for 1996

Overview

The 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo is a proven utility vehicle that holds its own when it comes to competitive pricing and strong tow ratings. There's something to be said about a tried-and-true model. But there's no getting around the fact that this van is old. It was last redesigned in 1996 and hasn't received a major styling update since 2003.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

Not EPA tested

$314/mo

Avg. Midsize Van

Calculate my fuel costs

To its credit, Chevrolet has been making constant tweaks. Most notable for the 2021 Express Cargo models is the new 6.6-liter V8 engine. It makes a stout 401 horsepower and replaces the previous 341-hp V8. Whether you've got a heavy payload in back or you're pulling a big trailer, the Express will likely be up to the task.

Unfortunately, the Express lacks the more nimble maneuvering, improved fuel efficiency, and smarter use of interior space of today's crop of modern vans such as the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster. Nor does it offer a high-roof option or available all-wheel drive, so it's hard to consider the Express as anything but a decent choice for a no-frills commercial vehicle.

Which Express Cargo does Edmunds recommend?

Choosing the right Express Cargo van will depend entirely on your needs. If you need to carry a heavy payload, opt for the 3500 model. We recommend the V8 engine if you will be towing often. If fuel economy is a priority, consider the four-cylinder diesel. Finally, if maximizing cargo space is required, then opt for the long wheelbase.

2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo models

The 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo is a work vehicle designed to meet the needs of contractors, plumbers, electricians and other workers who need to haul bulky or heavy cargo and tow heavy loads. A single trim is offered in one- to five-passenger seating configurations, leaving the rest of the van body available for cargo. If transporting people is a priority, consider the Express Passenger van, which can seat up to 15. It is reviewed separately on Edmunds.

The Express Cargo has two payload configurations (2500 and 3500) that determine how much weight you can carry and two wheelbases that enable the Express Cargo to accommodate a variety of needs.

The Express' engine lineup includes three offerings:

A standard 4.3-liter V6 (276 horsepower, 298 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed automatic
An available 6.6-liter V8 (401 hp, 464 lb-ft) matched to a six-speed automatic
An available turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel four-cylinder engine (181 hp, 369 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic

As a spartan work vehicle, the Express Cargo comes with only the most basic features. Highlights include:

Air conditioning
Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot (via GM's OnStar communication service)
Power windows and locks
Vinyl upholstery
Two-speaker audio system with an auxiliary jack
Rearview camera

Available options include:

Bluetooth
Keyless entry and remote start
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Other option packages allow owners to customize the Express Cargo to suit their business needs.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo.

5 (31%)

4 (27%)

3 (21%)

2 (7%)

1 (14%)

3.6

29 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 29 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

WOW

wow 360K, 12/17/2009

2005 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 Rwd 3dr Ext Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

All I can say is 360K with no troubles. Engine/ trans /brakes/ electrical all exceptionally reliable. I am religious about maintenance and clean fluids which I believe has paid off. Drives great and very comfortable with seat mounted arm rests and cruise. I would consider no other after the service this vehicle has given me. This vehicle is a 2500, 4.8, 480el, semi floating 8 bolt …

A good van.

Happy Owner, 12/29/2008

2005 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 Rwd 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

For a van it handled well and was very comfortable to drive. Overall excellent reliability. A few glitches in the side door hinges and with a couple of the interior lights. Fuel economy varied dramatically by driving habits. Ranged from 12 to 22 mpg city to highway. Drivetrain reliability was excellent, with minimal expenses for maintenance or repairs in about 50K miles.

Express Van Workhorses

Joe Flash, 02/03/2009

2005 Chevrolet Express Cargo 3500 Rwd 3dr Ext Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

I own two express vans that is use for my business, A 99, (170k miles) and 2005, (143k miles) 3500 ext vans. I have owned Ford vans prior to the Chevys. Ford makes a good van but my Express vans have more headroom, (no need for a sprinter van) and are more comfortable and durable. I load a lot of weight on my vans and they handle it without a problem. I think they are quality built. I …

Just What I Needed

jbarradale, 12/29/2012

2008 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

I finally found a great deal on a cargo van. I was looking to get back into construction, but needed something for tools and equipment. I have been driving it only for a short while, but it even handles well in the snow. I like the space it provides. I have ordered a set of shelves to put into the back.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo, so we've included reviews for other years of the Express Cargo since its last redesign.

See all 29 reviews of the Chevrolet Express Cargo

Write a vehicle review

2021 Express Cargo Highlights

Trim:

2500

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,500
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	239.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Express Cargo models:

Rear Vision Camera: Displays a view of the area immediately behind the Express in the rearview mirror.
Rear Park Assist: Sounds an alert if you're backing up and the Express gets too close to an object.
Forward Collision Warning: Warns you if the system detects an imminent front collision.

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2021 Chevy Express Cargo Review

2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.}

Which Express Cargo does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

WOW

A good van.

Express Van Workhorses

Just What I Needed

2021 Express Cargo Highlights

Safety

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2021 Chevy Express Cargo Review

2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.

Which Express Cargo does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo models

Most helpful consumer reviews

WOW

A good van.

Express Van Workhorses

Just What I Needed

2021 Express Cargo Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Chevrolet

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 3dr Van (4.3L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.}