2018 Chevrolet Express Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

If you need a full-size work van that is capable of hauling immense amounts of cargo, you might want to consider giving the 2018 Chevrolet Express a test drive. This work van has been around since 1996 and marks its 23rd year of existence with a host of changes that drivers should be thrilled about. While the Express lacks the high roof featured on most other automaker's lineups of full-size vans, the Express is a powerful van that is fully capable of getting the job done.

What's New for 2018?

Quite a few changes have been made to each variant of the 2018 Chevrolet Express. On the passenger variant, a 4.3-L V6 engine replaces the old standard 4.8-L V8. The new standard engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic. There is also a new diesel engine option. Hill Start Assist and Side Blind Zone Alert have been added, as have several new optional packages. The cargo variant also gets these new safety features as well as four new packages. The Cutaway gets a few new paint options, standard OnStar 4GE LTE with WiFi, and a standard rearview camera.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Chevrolet Express – The Pros

1. The Towing Capacity

The biggest reason to buy the 2018 Chevrolet Express is undoubtedly the towing capacity. The 3500 model can tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. This puts the Express right at the top of its class in terms of towing.

2. The Payload Capacity

The Express also has a fantastic payload capacity. In fact, its payload capacity maxes out at 3,920 pounds. Although this falls several hundred pounds short of what the Ford Transit gets, this number still bests other competitors and makes the Express a noteworthy van.

3. The Fuel Efficient New Base Engine

The old V8 that came standard on the Express was powerful but too much of a gas guzzler to really be considered efficient. The new 4.3-L V6 engine is part of the fuel-savvy EcoTec3 Engine Family, which features an advanced combustion system and allows the vehicle to operate more smoothly when carrying light loads. The V6 gets 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to get the Express up and moving and keep it fuel efficient.

4. Plenty of Features On the Base Trim

The base LS trim has a surprising amount of standard features, which can sometimes be hard to come by on work vans. The LS comes with features that include power doors and locks, an OnStar telematics system, and an auxiliary port. A rearview camera is now standard. You can add quite a few optional features as well, such as a power-heated mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Many of these features are standard on the LT trim.

5. The 3500's Optional Extended Wheelbase

The 2018 Chevrolet Express 3500 has an extended wheelbase option that is hard to pass up. This wheelbase adds another row of seats and helps to create ample legroom for all passengers.

6. Numerous Seating Configurations

If you plan on driving the passenger variant, the 2018 Chevrolet Express has a large number of seating configurations. If you need to haul 15 passengers, you can do so with the extended wheelbase. Otherwise, the vehicle has seating for up to 12 passengers.

7. Plenty of Cargo Space In the Cargo Variant

The cargo variant offers a generous amount of cargo space, thereby making it a good fit for most work-based needs. With all seats in place in the passenger van, the Express has 92.1 cubic feet of cargo space. That can be maxed out to a whopping 252.8 cubic feet of space with all of the rear seats removed on the extended wheelbase.

8. A Wealth of Safety Features

The 2018 Chevrolet Express has a long list of desirable safety features, including a standard rearview camera, parking sensors, and the optional Safety Package (which features cruise control and rear parking assist).

9. The OnStar Commercial Link Telematics System

OnStar Commercial Link is a fleet telematics system that lets you track vehicle maintenance, fuel efficiency, speed, and location through GPS. The system sends real-time status reports to help keep drivers and companies up-to-date.

10. A More Contemporary Look On the Outside

Chevrolet has finally brought the Express into the current millennium by giving the van's exterior a serious redesign. A high-roof option has been added to the mix at last, and the body has been slenderized to keep up appearances. The side mirrors are massive, and the chrome trim looks chic.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Chevrolet Express – The Cons

1. Only Two Trim Levels

While there are quite a few configurations, it would be nice to see Chevrolet eventually add another trim level to the line-up. Competitors like the Nissan NV offer three trim levels with the higher-level trims offering a lot of luxury.

2. A Tilt-Only Steering Wheel

The tilt-only steering wheel makes it difficult for drivers to easily find comfortable driving positions. A standard tilt-and-telescoping wheel on all vans would be much more ideal.

3. The Interior Looks Dated

Despite the massive amount of upgrades and chic exterior design, the interior still has a slightly dated look with all of its hard plastics up front. A few simple material choice alterations could go a long way.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Chevrolet Express vs. 2018 Ford Transit

The 2018 Ford Transit is a top competitor for the year. While it only offers two trim levels, the Transit has a lot of configurations and packs a lot of power. However, it doesn't have a V8 engine option that would give it the extra boost of power some drivers crave.

2018 Chevrolet Express vs. 2018 GMC Savana

The 2018 GMC Savana is also equipped with the new 4.3-L V6 engine and performs quite similarly to the Express. Its payload and cargo capacities are some of the best in its class, but its V8 engines are gas guzzlers. Also, the vehicle tends to look more dated than the revamped 2018 Chevrolet Express.

Conclusion

The 2018 Chevrolet Express was past-due for this redesign, and the changes made to the lineup are quite pleasing. While the Express could do with a few changes to the interior in the near-future, the van is fuel efficient, spacious, and packs in enough standard features for most drivers to feel satisfied.