2016 Chevrolet Express Cargo Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Need a full-size work van for a livable price? Check out the 2016 Chevrolet Express Cargo, scheduled to go on sale this fall. Be advised,...

Need a full-size work van for a livable price? Check out the 2016 Chevrolet Express Cargo, scheduled to go on sale this fall. Be advised, however, that this is a pretty basic 2-passenger, 3-door van, intended almost exclusively for commercial use. There are a few changes due for 2016, but don’t expect any improvements to the Express Cargo’s admittedly dated profile.

The Express Cargo will return in two trims for the upcoming model year: the three-quarter-ton 2500 and the 1-ton 3500. Both trims are again offered with 2 wheelbases: 135 inches (11.25 feet) in regular-length versions, and 155 inches (12.9 feet) in the EXT (extended-length) variants, with overall length equaling 224.1 inches (18.7 feet) and 244.1 inches (20.3 feet), respectively. All trims offer the traditional rear-wheel drivetrain (RWD) only.

Newly standard to the Express Cargo for 2016 are seat-mounted thorax airbags. Updated options include a new 220-amp alternator, a dual isolated battery system, a new rear-view camera display, black-hued heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, improved Chevy MyLink infotainment with upgraded GPS navigation, and GM’s 4G LTE WiFi capability.

Regular-length trims are expected to offer 270.4 cubic feet of total cargo space, with 313.9 cubic feet in the EXT variations. These figures reflect the optional passenger seat deletion--the standard two-seat configuration decreases cargo capacity significantly.

The Express Cargo offers a fairly plain exterior, with 16-inch steel wheels and a swing-out passenger-side loading door both coming standard. Molded side steps and chrome trim pieces remain optional. Inside, look for standard vinyl upholstery, a tilt-only steering wheel, air conditioning, power door locks, and a trip computer. Other options include 17-inch steel wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, various rear-door and window configurations, rear parking sensors, and cloth upholstery.

Like the passenger-toting Express, which is covered in a separate preview, the 2016 Express Cargo offers a choice of 3 engines, starting with the standard 4.8-liter flex-fuel (FFV) V8 that puts out 285 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque when mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Estimated mileage for the base powertrain comes in at 11 mpg city/17 highway/13 combined. The 2500 trim is also eligible for a 6.0-liter (FFV) V8 powerplant, mated with the 6-speed automatic to generate 342 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. Mileage estimates for the upgraded V8 are expected at 11/16/13. An available compressed natural gas (CNG) version of the 6.0-liter V8 produces 282 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

The 2016 Express Cargo 3500 can be fitted with an optional 6.6-liter turbodiesel powerplant that uses the 6-speed automatic to produce 260 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. Mileage estimates are unavailable for this plus-size powerplant, but equip it with an optional towing package for a 10,000-pound max towing capacity.

Standard safety equipment aboard the 2016 Express Cargo includes 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, new-for-2016 seat-mounted thorax airbags, head curtain airbags, and daytime running lights. Because of its size, the Express Cargo is not tested for crashworthiness by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Look for the Express Cargo to again challenge Ford’s Transit and Ram’s ProMaster (both of which have a high-roof variant), along with Nissan’s surprisingly capable NV and Mercedes-Benz’s diesel-only Sprinter.