Used 2023 Chevrolet Express 3500 Passenger

The Chevrolet Express soldiers into the 2023 model year as a trusty workhorse. Alongside the GMC Savana, the Express is the last of its kind in truck-based, body-on-frame work vans with an available V8 engine. All of its rivals are more modern and high-tech, like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Ram ProMaster. However, the Express boasts a class-leading 10,000-pound maximum tow rating and a max payload rating of 4,280 pounds. The Express and Savana also have the lowest starting prices in this class, making them a value proposition in work vans.

The Chevrolet Express is a van that drives like a truck. This 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 of the past.

Both available 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 of these engines.

The Express isn’t the most agile van on city streets. There’s noticeable body roll in sharp turns, and this van is generally cumbersome compared to more modern rivals. The Express is a comfortable cruiser if you’re doing a lot of long-distance highway driving.

The Chevy Express hasn’t gotten a major refresh since 2003, and that’s noticeable on the inside. It’s gotten some incremental updates over the years, like an updated radio with optional Bluetooth and a standard backup camera, but it still feels like an old van on the inside. This won’t bother you a bit if you’re not looking for frills in your work van. However, most rivals of the Express, like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, have much more modern interiors.

You get two standard front seats in the cargo van, and there’s an available 5-seat configuration. In the passenger van, seating for 12 is standard, which can go up 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 like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The LT trim of the passenger van adds some creature comforts like standard cloth upholstery and carpeted flooring rather than vinyl, but that’s about as luxurious as it gets.

The 2023 Chevrolet Express has three basic variants: a cargo van, a passenger van, and a cutaway. There are two wheelbases available and only one roof height.

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 configuration available, which adds rear windows.

The passenger van has standard seating for up to 12 and optional 15-passenger seating in the extended-wheelbase model.

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.

The styling of the Chevy Express is subtle. It looks like a no-nonsense work van, which is exactly what it is. You can add some flair by adding a chrome appearance package, which is standard on the LT trim of the passenger van.

6.6-liter V8
Along with its corporate cousin, the 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.

The base engine in the Chevy Express is a respectable 4.3-liter V6. This is a capable V6 with a max tow rating of 7,400 pounds and a payload rating of up to 4,280 pounds when properly equipped.

There’s an available 6.6-liter V8 producing 401 horsepower that can tow up to 10,000 pounds. The V6 uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the V8 is linked to a 6-speed automatic.

Every Chevy Express is rear-wheel drive. Unfortunately, there is no all-wheel-drive option for this van. If you must have AWD, consider the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

4.3-liter V6
276 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
298 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.6-liter V8
401 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
464 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Chevy Express is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, Chevy throws in complimentary maintenance for your first visit.