2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van

Cargo vans are not the most modern vehicles in the world, but the Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is especially outdated. When you consider that it has been contending with far more capable rivals like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Metris, it makes sense why Chevy hasn't really devoted a lot of time and money to improving its underdog entrant. If anything, the automaker has simplified the lineup and reduced manufacturing costs by deleting some options over the years. Strangely, Chevrolet still expects buyers to pay almost as much for the Express as they would for the far more capable alternatives. It may be able to tow 10,000 pounds with the optional 401-horsepower V8 equipped, but in every other area, it is woefully underqualified to demand such a premium. Still, it's unlikely that the 2023 Express Cargo Van will be the last of its line, as there will always be some people willing to buy one, and anything is better than nothing.

The starting price of the new 2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van varies depending on its configuration, though there is only a single trim: the WT. The WT 2500 with the regular wheelbase will cost you $38,100, while the extended wheelbase variant goes for $40,000. The higher-specification WT 3500 sells for $41,200 or $42,000 with the respective wheelbases. Every model can replace the standard engine with a more powerful V8 for an additional $1,770. These figures are for the MSRP of the Chevrolet Express Cargo Van and no not include the $1,795 destination charge.

The Express Cargo Van is essentially a box on wheels meant to move stuff from point A to point B. To this end, it has enough power to get the job done, and acceleration is steady. Similarly, the steering is not at all engaging, though it is light enough to help maneuver the large and cumbersome car around town or cramped parking lots. It's vague on the highway, though, where the van tends to wander. If you don't respect the van's height and weight when going around a corner, you may find all those fragile-marked boxes facing the wrong way up, just like your poor Express.

In terms of comfort, the Chevy irons out the road pretty well when loaded with cargo but gets unpleasantly jittery when traveling unladen. Road and wind noise are muted but not entirely absent, though you will definitely hear the engine when you put them under too much strain.

If you review the Chevy Express Cargo Van in a vacuum, it seems like a perfectly acceptable vehicle. This is especially true when looking at is nothing more than a way to move stuff. The maximum payload and towing capacities are competitive, and the engine options are acceptably frugal for these types of cars. However, when you take into account the other cargo vans in the USA, it is a poor example. The more fuel-efficient diesel engine has been dropped, too, so you can't double down on one of the very few saving graces of the Express. In every way, the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster cargo vans are better choices, and with electric variants starting to enter the fray, the Chevry will only continue to fall behind. The American automaker may be a forerunner in the EV segment, but it has yet to announce plans to electrify the black sheep in the family.

The 2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is presented in two distinct trim levels, and which one you choose will depend entirely on how much cargo you need to move. The WT 3500 is more capable, with a maximum cargo capacity of 319.9 cubic feet when equipped with the extended wheelbase. The 2500 is slightly more customizable, with the Enhanced Convenience package and Safety Package, but these are likely secondary concerns for anyone looking at such a poorly equipped van.