Home Comparisons Trim Comparisons 2023 Chevrolet Express: Choosing the Right Trim

2023 Chevrolet Express: Choosing the Right Trim

To the Chevrolet faithful, it should be no surprise that the 2023 Chevrolet Express returns nearly unchanged. The Bowtie division of General Motors hasn’t made a significant change to this traditional van for 20 years; why start now, right?

The automotive rumor mill is on fire with talk of the impending demise of the Express and its GMC doppelganger Savana in 2025. This speculated discontinuation is to make way for all-electric replacements. However, GM hasn’t announced anything officially yet. The Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter represent most of the competition still in the fossil-fuel-powered arena.

In the meantime, the piston-powered Express soldiers on. On the heels of dropping the CD player option for 2022, Chevy has reduced the engine count to two for 2023. Gone is the Duramax 4-cylinder diesel engine.

Despite flirting with retirement, the venerable Express is still relevant for those requiring an old-fashioned but sturdy body-on-frame van. Chevy continues to offer it in passenger and cargo configurations as well as regular-length (224.1 inches) and long (244.1 inches) versions.

Further parsing the Express, Chevy offers it in 2500 and 3500 grades. Moreover, Chevy also provides the Express in a Cutaway model, for which we provide more details below. It’s for buyers who want to customize their van’s workspace.

The base mill for all three models continues to be a 276-horsepower 4.3-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 7,400 pounds. Across the Express lineup, Chevy offers an optional 401-hp 6.6-liter V8 paired with a heavy-duty 6-speed automatic transmission. Its maximum towing limit is 10,000 pounds. Opting for the V8 will set you back an additional $1,695. All Express models are rear-wheel drive.

We like the Express for its available V8, exceptional towing capability, and value pricing.

Let’s look at the various Chevy Express vans for 2023.

2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van: $38,100

2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo

  • 2500 Express Cargo Van with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($38,100)
  • 2500 with 155.2-inch wheelbase ($40,000)
  • 3500 with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($41,200)
  • 3500 with 155.2-inch wheelbase ($42,000)

Work being the only real purpose for the Express Cargo Van, it’s a fairly bare-bones approach to transportation. There isn’t much in the way of frills or convenience features. It does give a nod to current technology by offering Wi-Fi hot spot capability as standard. It also is equipped with a tire-pressure monitor, OnStar capability, and a backup camera.

Among the standard features are 16-inch steel wheels, a swing-out passenger-side side door, a tow-haul mode, and hill-start assist. Chevy also includes air conditioning, vinyl floor covering, and vinyl-covered front bucket seats that flank a center console. Power windows, door locks, and heated outboard mirrors complete the convenience items.

A 2-speaker audio setup comprises the entertainment system.

Advanced safety technologies are available as options. You can bundle blind-spot alert, rear park assist, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and the V8 engine in the $3,105 Safety Package. Or you can add cruise control ($250), blind-spot monitoring ($395), rear-park assist ($295), and forward collision warning ($295) as stand-alone options.

Remote keyless entry ($175), remote start ($300), a sliding passenger-side door ($195), and a spray-in cargo liner ($995) are also among the options.

Adding the $1,795 destination fee to the Cargo Van base price brings the total to $39,895. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $717 per month. See 2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van models for sale near you

2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van includes:

  • Hill-start assist – Using sensors that determine when your vehicle stops on an incline, the system maintains the brake pressure so you can shift your right foot from brake to accelerator without the vehicle rolling.
  • OnStar capability – OnStar is a telematics system with several levels of service and pricing. It can provide everything from contacting first responders when it senses an accident to making dinner reservations.
  • Power accessories – These include power windows, power door locks, and heated power outboard mirrors.

2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LS: $42,300

2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger van in white.

  • 2500 Express Passenger Van LS with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($42,300)
  • 3500 with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($43,500)
  • 3500 with 155.2-inch wheelbase ($44,300)

Building on the Express Cargo Van content, the Passenger model adds seating for 12 passengers, side and rear windows, child-seat anchors, rear air conditioning, and a rear heater. You can add the Safety Package, other option groups, and stand-alone options also available in the Cargo Van. Pony up for the 3500 Passenger Van with the extended wheelbase, and you can also upgrade to seating for 15 ($475).

Adding the $1,795 destination fee to the Passenger Van LS base price brings the total to $44,095. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to a monthly payment of about $792. See 2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LS models for sale near you

2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LS includes:

  • Rear air conditioning – This is a separate air conditioning unit with rear air vents.
  • 12-passenger seating – Three rows of seats arranged in a 2-3-3-4 pattern seats up to 12.
  • Rear heater – Using an auxiliary unit, this heater creates its own heat zone in the van’s rear.

2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LT: $44,400

  • 2500 Express Passenger Van LT with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($44,400)
  • 3500 with 135.2-inch wheelbase ($45,200)
  • 3500 with 155.2-inch wheelbase ($46,000)

Adding to the LS trim, the LT includes full-floor carpeting, cloth seats, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, remote keyless entry, and an upgraded center console.

Also standard are a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, an upgraded audio system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Adding blind-spot monitoring costs $395.

Tacking on the $1,795 destination fee to the LT base price brings the total to $46,195. Using our no-money-down formula on a 3% loan for 60 months, the monthly payment is about $830. See 2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LT models for sale near you

2023 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van LT includes:

  • Remote keyless entry – You can unlock and lock the van remotely using the fob.
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror – Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind and automatically dims their reflection.
  • Cruise control – When you reach the desired speed, the Express will maintain that speed until you engage the brakes.

2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway Van: $35,000

2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway van in white.

Chevy offers the Express Cutaway in 3500 and 4500 classes. The same V6 and V8 engines power them as the rest of the Express lineup. You can get an Express Cutaway in one of three wheelbase lengths: 139 inches, 159 inches, and 177 inches. The Cutaway shares most of its standard features and options with the Express Cargo Van.

  • 3500 Express Cutaway with 139-inch wheelbase ($35,000)
  • 3500 with 159-inch wheelbase ($36,000)
  • 3500 with 177-inch wheelbase ($36,500)
  • 4500 with 159-inch wheelbase ($38,300)
  • 4500 with 177-inch wheelbase ($39,300)

Adding the $1,795 destination fee to the Express Cutaway base price brings the total to $36,795. Using our financing scenario with no money down on a 3% loan for 60 months, the monthly payment is about $661. See 2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway Van models for sale near you

FAQ

  • What is the best 2023 Chevrolet Express trim level?

    Your best bet when buying a Chevy Express is to go with the base trim and add the options you need and want.

    Although the standard features on all trim levels are pretty sparse, the options list is long and inclusive. You can cobble together whatever it is you need.

  • Which 2023 Chevrolet Express trim level gets the best mpg?

    Because the U.S. government doesn’t publish mpg for this class of vehicles, there are no official mpg numbers. If fuel economy is your primary concern, get a 2500 V6. But the newer 6.6-liter V8 might surprise you with its efficiency.

  • Which 2023 Chevrolet Express trim level is the safest?

    Despite being 20 years old, the Chevy Express hasn’t undergone any significant third-party safety testing. Its truck-like construction means it’s built in a rugged fashion.

    To get modern safety technologies you must add them as options. However, the Express Passenger Van LT has a forward collision warning and lane-changing assist.

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