2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van

There won’t be any interior changes or any newly added features to the current Express 2500. The outgoing model comes in two trims, LS and LT and they come with basic features. These vehicles represent the utility class and passenger variants are just there for short distance travels, probably the main reason behind having such below par features list. The base trim comes with power windows and locks along with a 2-speaker stereo system which will do the job for shorter journeys. 

The LT trim does get a little better with cloth upholstery and chrome bumpers. The surprising factor about this rather basic van is it gets Lane departure warning and forward collision alert as standard and the optional packages add even more features. For power users, we still have an option to get the 6.6L V8 engine. In the eyes of a normal user, this van might seem like a mistake but in the utility point of view, it is one of the best, after pick-up trucks. Optional Packages:

• Chrome Appearance ($350) – Chrome bumper & front grille. Halogen Headlights
• Cold Climate ($900) – fuel operated heater for the cabin
• Bluetooth ($50) – Bluetooth connectivity for smartphone
• Keyless Entry - ($160)
• Remote Start – ($280)
• Leather-wrapped steering – ($170)
• Heated mirrors ($105) – Power-folding heated mirrors
• Safety ($270) – Forward collision warning, lane departure warning
• 6-way power seats – ($250)
• HD trailering ($250) – 4-pin/7-pin trailer connector, trailer tow prep, and trailer hitch

Which Trim should you buy?

We suggest buying this van only if you are planning to use it strictly for business purposes or as a commercial people mover. Getting the top trim doesn’t make any sense as you can get all the extra features as options. Get some aftermarket leather upholstery and infotainment system and it becomes a pretty nice work or shuttle van.

2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van Release date

There has been no official release date mentioned by the brand and the production of the upcoming model has been postponed. We expect it to hit the showrooms by fall 2021 or early 2022.

The ChevroletExpress 2500 will come with similar engine options, like the current year. The base engine is a 4.3L V6 which produces 276 hp & 298 lb-ft of torque which is fine enough but if you start using the van to its limits like with full of passengers or cargo the engine starts showing its weakness. Skip this one and get the 6.6L V8 engine with 401 hp of power and 464 lb-ft of torque which will get all your work done with ease. The base engine gets a payload capacity of 4675lbs and can tow up to 7000lbs. 

The V8 engine obviously gets better capabilities such as a 10,000lbs tow rating, but the payload capacity gets slashed a little bit. We have another engine option which is a 2.8L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that churns out 181 hp & 369 lb-ft of torque but getting this makes no sense as except for fuel-efficiency it won’t offer any sort of practicality.

All vans here come equipped with a V6 engine as the standard option and the power figures are quite similar to each other. The Ford Transit in the group of vans gets a better overall payload capacity at 4350 lbs. and the towing capacity is quite similar to the Chevy. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lacks in the power output aspect while its torque rating is decent when compared to the rivals here. In terms of acceleration, the Express 2500 Passenger Van and Transit Passenger Van are the quickest in the lot clocking just under 8 seconds to the 60mph mark, while the GMC is half a second slower. 

Passenger or cargo vans are exempted from EPA ratings but we can anticipate from the user reviews. Drivers are getting close to 12 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway with the outgoing model, not bad for a van. The fuel tank capacity on the Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger van is the biggest at 31 gallons which will get you a decent range overall. That optional turbo-diesel engine will definitely improve these numbers but again no concrete information is available.

All the vans have similarly equipped engines and so are the fuel economy numbers. The Ford Transit comes with a smaller engine and thus returns slightly better fuel economy than the GM twins. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the only van in the lot with a turbo motor as standard and thus the brand had fitted it with a smaller gas tank.

The interior of the Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger van is all about practicality and space and we might not see any changes in it for 2022 MY as well. For 2021 MY, the overall design and theme of the dashboard still rock the old 90s look with cheap gray colored plastic prominently used for almost everything. The quality of the materials isn’t the priority here. 

The overall passenger space or cargo space is really good in both standard and long-wheelbase variants. The passenger van we discussed today gets seating for 12 in a 2-3-3-4 configuration. These vans surely aren’t designed for longer trips as there is no support on the seats and no headrests as well, except for the front row. Overall, this cabin is more of an empty canvas to customize it depending on your needs.

The Ford Transit is the van that can be said to have launched in modern days as it has some nice infotainment setup and the overall dashboard is pretty modern. The Chevrolet Express and the GMC Savana have very dated cabins as compared to the rivals here. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, on the other hand, represents the gold standard of luxurious vans and it offers a pretty neat and comfortable interior with a majority of the techs and goodies you can find in a Merc car. Even its cargo capacity of 78.6 cu.-ft feels ample. That said, some standout interior features inside the 2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van include:

• Front and rear air conditioning
• Power windows and locks
• Vinyl upholstery
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Carpeted floor
• 12V power outlets

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Chevrolet probably was under the impression of who would listen to music in this 12 people mover as everyone has a smartphone nowadays. So the Express van comes with only a 2-speaker stereo system and a small digital display. If you still want something better there aren’t any optional extras available for the display but the audio system can be upgraded. Other additional features are Bluetooth and USB ports. That’s about it. Standout infotainment features are:

• 2-speaker sound system
• AM/FM
• AUX input
• GM's OnStar communications

The 2022 ChevroletExpress is a commercial vehicle and most of the time these don’t get special treatment in the design department. The best way to describe this van would be a long box of metal with a huge cavity inside. The competition out there is still designing some nice-looking vehicles but Chevy still retains the original age-old design. 

The chrome-plated bumpers and painted wheels on the top trim improve the appeal a little bit but in our honest opinion, this is the right time to give this van a proper design overhaul. As standard, you get 16-inch steel wheels, Front and rear chrome bumpers, Swing-out door which can be replaced by a sliding door.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the longest vehicle in the group and that gives them more usable space inside. The Chevrolet Express and the GMC Savana are quite smaller in comparison to the Merc but all of these vans can be had in extended wheelbase variants. Speaking about the design, the competitors look much better, at least look modern than the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. Standout exterior features are:

• 16-inch wheels
• Front and rear chrome bumpers
• Halogen headlights
• The heavy-duty locking rear differential
• Sliding passenger-side rear door

This is one other area where agencies skip doing any testing as these are commercial vehicles. But surprisingly the Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger van has some active safety features as standard. It has a lane departure warning system and a forward-collision warning system as standard many of the modern vans miss on these features as standard. The body of this van is well reinforced with steel beams for added strength. Standout safety features are:

• Blindspot monitoring
• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System 

2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van vs 2021 Ford Transit Passenger wagon

The Ford Transit has the best interior and infotainment unit in this segment and the overall cabin is much more modern than the Chevy Express. The Transit drives better than the Express and offers more interior space due to a wider body. What the Ford Transit lacks is the towing capacity, if that’s more important for you then you will have to settle with the Chevrolet and its bland looks.

2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van vs 2021 GMC Savana 2500 Passenger van

The GMC Savana 2500 Passenger van is similar to the classic Chevrolet Express but it excels on the inside. The overall interior of the Savana feels decent compared to the Chevy but that’s about the advantages. Otherwise, both these vans are pretty much similar in everything they offer.

2022 Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is more aimed towards hauling passengers in comfort. Coming from a luxury brand, the interior and the seats in the Merc are much much better than in the Chevy. It is also the largest van in its standard configuration but it sits on the expensive side. If you are not on a budget, we recommend you to get the Merc.

The new Chevrolet Express 2500 Passenger Van should really have some upgrades brought along with it because the competition is offering pretty slick vans. There could be numerous reasons behind Chevy keeping these vans ridiculously simplistic. But whatever it is, it makes the buyer go the extra mile and make it comfortable which they can do in the first place. 

Mercedes-Benz can offer a superb seating arrangement and pretty modern infotainment units and overall interior, Chevy can do it as well. The 2022 Chevrolet Express Passenger van only makes sense if and only if towing or payload capacity is your main priority. Otherwise, rivals offer everything better for similar prices.