2024 Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo

Along with its corporate cousin, the GMC Savana, the 2024 Chevrolet Express is the last of a dying breed of rough-and-tumble truck-based full-size vans. Sure, you’ve got some full-size commercial vans like the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter; however, simply put: The Chevy Express is more hardy. Its maximum towing is class-leading, as is its affordable price. Its segment rivals have the upper hand when the discussion turns to advanced technology, but for turning in a hard day’s work, the Express is tough to beat.

Historically, the year-to-year changes have been few and far between for the Express. So, it’s sort of big news that Chevy replaced both transmissions for 2024. The V6 engine is now mated to a new 8-speed transmission, while the optional V8 replaces last year’s 6-speed automatic with secpmd new 8-speed automatic transmission. Although rumors had been floating around for the past year or two that 2025 would mark the end of the Express, now it seems Chevy is considering completely redesigning it for 2027.

Before buying the Chevrolet Express, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Chevrolet Express Cargo Van has a better-than-average track record for retaining its value, while the passenger version is below average.

The entry-level engine is a 276-horsepower V6. It sends power to the rear wheels via a new 8-speed transmission. This is the most horsepower from an entry-level engine in the segment. If you need more oomph, you can step up to the 401-horsepower (by far the best in the segment) V8, which uses a different new 8-speed transmission to hustle torque to the rear wheels. Chevy doesn’t offer 4- or all-wheel drive as an Express option. Rivals Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ford Transit do offer all-wheel drive.

We won’t make an opposing argument that the Chevrolet Express van drives like a truck. In fact, it is a familiar driving experience for anyone who has spent much time driving a traditional pickup truck or an old-school work van like the Ford Econoline. Nor is the Express the most agile van on city streets. Generally, the Express is somewhat cumbersome compared to more modern rivals. However, it is a comfortable cruiser if you’re doing a lot of long-distance highway driving. Both engines deliver confident power and impressive capabilities. The standard V6 is a trusty engine with a satisfying balance of power, efficiency, and capability. The 6.6-liter V8 has gobs of power and is the only V8 engine available in this class. You can’t go wrong with either engine.

Fuel Economy

The government doesn’t require fuel economy figures for this class of vehicle, but don’t expect the mileage for city-and-highway driving to soar out of the teens.

Chevy hasn’t given the Express a sweeping refresh since 2003, and it’s noticeable on the inside. Over the years, there have been some incremental tweaks, like an updated radio with optional Bluetooth and a standard backup camera, but it still feels like an older van inside. We suspect the lack of frills won’t bother you if the Express is a work van. However, most rivals, like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, have significantly more modern interiors.

You get two standard front seats in the cargo van, with an available 5-seat configuration as an option. In the passenger van, seating for 12 is standard, which you can increase to 15 in the long-wheelbase model. Seating in the back of the passenger van is reasonably roomy and comfortable by work van standards.

Don’t expect anything fancy in this interior. There are no heated or ventilated seats, no leather seating option, and no modern infotainment tech. We especially missed the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone interface. However, Wi-Fi is available, and Bluetooth comes in an option package. The LT trim of the passenger van adds some creature comforts, such as standard cloth upholstery and carpeted flooring rather than vinyl, but that’s about as luxurious as it gets.

The 2024 Chevrolet Express has three basic variants: a cargo van, a passenger van, and a cutaway. There are two wheelbases available, but only one roof height. The styling of the Chevy Express is subtle, but you can add some flair by adding a chrome appearance package, which is standard on the LT trim of the passenger van. The cargo van and passenger van are self-explanatory. The cargo van comes standard with two front seats, no back seats, and no rear side windows. There’s a 5-seat crew configuration available that adds second-row windows. The passenger van has two lengths with the shorter getting standard seating for up to 12. The extended length offers optional 15-passenger seating. The cutaway variant has a ladder frame and a wide opening in the back of the cab, but there’s no chassis cab option with a fully enclosed cab. If you’re looking for a chassis cab, consider the Chevy Silverado HD chassis cab.

6.6-liter V8
Like its mechanical twin GMC Savana, the Chevy Express has the only optional V8 in this class.

Truck-like capability
The Chevy Express uses old-school body-on-frame construction and a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. It boasts a class-leading towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds and can carry up to 4,280 pounds of payload.

Value pricing
The Chevrolet Express has a lower starting price than its more modern rivals, adding to its value proposition as a practical workhorse.

Safety Package
An available Safety Package adds some nice features to this van, like cruise control, a tilt steering column, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

LT trim
The LT trim of the passenger van makes the Express more modern and stylish. It adds chrome bumpers and exterior trim, cloth seats, carpeted flooring, a deluxe console, and some extra safety tech like forward collision alert and lane-departure warning.

Seats up to 15
The Express passenger van seats up to 12 with the standard wheelbase and up to 15 with the extended wheelbase. The Express is a suitable alternative if a minivan doesn’t have enough seats for you.

You have the choice of two well-seasoned engines: a V6 or a V8. If horsepower, torque, and class-leading towing are on your van checklist, the Express is the answer. It can tug up to 10,000 pounds, far more than any other van in the segment. The Express’ newest, most modern aspect is its two new 8-speed automatic transmissions. Although we have nothing but common sense to back it up, these new 8-speeds should deliver modest gains in drivability and efficiency.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevy protects the Express with the typical bumper-to-bumper limited warranty for mainstream carmakers. It’s for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Likewise, the powertrain warranty is the segment average of five years or 60,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

No third party has crash or safety tested the Chevy Express.