An all-new vehicle from the ground up, the Express is the successor to the Sportvan. The exterior looks totally different and offers improved functionality. The rear doors open wider and swing out away from the high-mounted taillights. Thus the taillights are still visible, even when the doors are open, as they could be at a loading dock.

Other functional improvements include longer wheelbases for the standard- and extended-length versions of this van (135 inches for the standard; 155 inches for the extended). The longer wheelbases ease entry/exit and improve ride quality and stability.

The spare tire no longer encroaches on cargo room; it's now banished to the underside of the van. Also, a 31-gallon gas tank offers a longer range between fill-ups. Dual front airbags are added to the standard safety equipment list of the vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,600 pounds or lower.

A new series of engines is introduced, providing more power and torque than last year's offerings.