Affordability; covered cargo area; 10,000-pound tow rating; easy for fleet mechanics to work on
Outdated design; no all-wheel drive option; passenger models lack head restraints for rear passengers; sloppy driving dynamics; not as spacious as rivals
The 2018 Chevrolet Express Van 2500 gets a new standard 4.3-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The van gains a standard rear backup camera, while side blind alert is now optional. See the 2018 Chevrolet Express 2500 models for sale near you
We'd shop the competition, but if we had to choose an Express. We'd opt for an entry-level LS (passenger) or Work (cargo) model with sparse options. As rivals have improved dramatically, affordability is this Chevy's last major selling point.
Find a Chevrolet Express 2500 for sale
The 2018 Chevrolet Express 2500 is offered in three trim levels: a base-level Work model that only comes as a cargo van, and LS and LT trims offered as passenger models.
The base-level Express 2500 Work ($32,490) comes with only the basics. That means vinyl seating, air conditioning, a rear backup camera, standard auxiliary port for music and little else. There are also power locks, power windows and a 2-speaker AM/FM.
Step up to the LS ($34,710), and you'll get a little more equipment, such as cruise control, power locks and GM's revised OnStar system with in-car Wi-Fi. More importantly, you'll get 12 seats, as the LS is the van's base-level passenger model.
Many more comfort and convenience features are standard on the Express 2500 LT ($36,160). Added items include keyless entry, cloth upholstery, power mirrors, power windows, power locks, a tilt steering wheel and interior carpeting. Fifteen-passenger configurations are available.
Shoppers can also choose from various options -- even on the stripped-down Work model. Drivers who want a CD player, for instance, can add one; the same goes for the van's available power accessories. For shoppers interested in more luxury, Chevrolet also offers the Express with a newly updated MyLink infotainment system, blind spot monitoring, navigation, parking sensors and an iPod/USB interface. Also optional is a long wheelbase version.
| Van | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Cargo Van RWD 2500 135' | $31,295 / N/A | 4 Cylinder Turbo / 6 Cylinder / 8 Cylinder | 276 | N/A | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic / 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| Express Cargo Van RWD 2500 155' | $33,155 / N/A | 4 Cylinder Turbo / 6 Cylinder / 8 Cylinder | 276 | N/A | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic / 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| Express Passenger RWD 2500 135' LS | $33,515 / N/A | 4 Cylinder Turbo / 6 Cylinder / 8 Cylinder | 276 | N/A | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic / 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| Express Passenger RWD 2500 135' LT | $33,515 / N/A | 4 Cylinder Turbo / 6 Cylinder / 8 Cylinder | 276 | N/A | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic / 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
All Chevrolet Express models include side-curtain airbags, front-side airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control. Options include a side blind zone alert, Hill Start Assist and rear parking sensors, while passenger models feature GM's OnStar system as standard equipment.
Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has crash-tested the Express 2500.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles Qualified Fleet Purchases |
| Corrosion | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Rust-Through | 6 Years/100,000 Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 Years/60,000 Miles Qualified Fleet Purchases |
| Maintenance | 2 Years/24,000 Miles 2 Visits |
2018 Chevrolet Suburban -- Yes, one of the most obvious competitors to the Chevrolet Express Van 2500 is in the same showroom. A Suburban will seat up to eight, and while it doesn't deliver the sheer cubic volume of the Express, it tops the van in comfort, capability and over-the-road demeanor.
2018 Ford Transit -- Ford's European-inspired full-size van is also offered in cargo and passenger configurations. But unlike the Express, it boasts several fuel-efficient engine choices, modern driving dynamics and high-tech optional extras.
2018 Ram ProMaster -- Ram's big cargo van is just the latest in a line of full-size vans that has made the Chevrolet Express look like the dinosaur that it is. The ProMaster offers more room, more engine choices and more configurations.
Used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter -- The Sprinter offers impressive capability and efficiency in a considerably more modern package than the Express 3500, but it's also more expensive, so you may want to consider a used model.
The 2018 Chevrolet Express Van 2500 is an aging workhorse with big towing and payload numbers, but a...
