2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van Review: Old School Ain't Good School

The 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van has been around in one shape or another since 1995, and is still in its first generation a quarter of a century later. Chevrolet seems to have forgotten about this passenger van, but it is still chugging along in defiance to its more contemporary rivals in the US such as the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The Express Passenger Van is by no means a modern minivan; it's outdated, has little to no standard features on offer, and boasts driving dynamics that weren't exactly spectacular before the turn of the century. Sure it's great for transporting up to 15 passengers around the city, but it does so with sloppy handling and a dated interior. The only saving grace is a strong engine lineup with inline-4, V6, and V8 options, utilising both diesel and gasoline. But the question is, if even Chevrolet has seemingly forgotten about this van, why shouldn't you?

Express Passenger Van Exterior

Dimensions

Express Passenger Van Performance

Engine and Transmission

Three engines, two fuel types, and two gearboxes comprise the powertrain range for the 2020 Express Passenger Van, but all are exclusively had with rear-wheel drive. The base motor is a 4.3-liter gasoline V6 with 276 horsepower and 298 lb-ft of torque. Performance from this 6-cylinder engine is solid and should be fine for city hauling. Next up is the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel inline-4 that produces 181 hp and 369 lb-ft. Both of these engines make use of an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Finally, Chevrolet offers a 6.0-liter V8 engine that produces 341 hp and 373 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear via a 6-speed heavy-duty automatic gearbox. The V6 engine can tow up to 6,700, while the V8 takes that figure up to 9,600 lbs. The diesel is the lightest hauler of the lot despite its torque, with a towing capacity of 6,300 lbs.

Express Passenger Van Interior

Express Passenger Van Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger A Good van?

Chevrolet has dropped the ball with this one. The market for big people movers is only growing, and manufacturers like Ford and Mercedes-Benz are cashing in on this by offering refined and safe vehicles that have kept up with the times. The Express Passenger Van can transport just as many people as rivals, but it is outdated in nearly every sense: it drives like a proper 1990s van, offers few standard comforts and features, has a horrendously outdated infotainment system, and few safety features, let alone a safety rating. Chevy does offer optional driver assistance features, but so do its competitors, who do nearly everything else better. However it's not all bad news in this 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van review, as Chevy does offer a range of solid engines, and the Express van should prove to be a reliable beast, but that simply isn't enough by today's standards. We'd recommend looking at other options.

What 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van Model Should I Buy?

We can't tell you which van to buy, as every person's requirements will be different. We can say that the big 6.0-liter V8 engine is good for towing, the extended wheelbase can carry three more people than the shorter 12-seater with its fourth-row, and that the LT is probably a wise choice as it adds some much-needed standard features. We recommend going for the optional 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and blind-spot monitoring. The price of the 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van won't break the bank, but rivals will give you much more van for not much more money.