2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van

What is new in the 2012 model

In the 2012 model, this Chevrolet Express Cargo van is largely unchanged.

Intro

It was not really along ago that the business people who were looking for no-nonsense solid work truck had got conventional vans like 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo with out thinking twice about it. This decision isn’t slam-dunk now but there are a lot of newer entries which have overhauled the older standbys.

For being sure, that full-sized Express Cargo van has all same qualities which made it great choice for everybody from the plumbers to the florists for over ten years. Good construction, great capacity of towing, option of the different engines & driver-side available side doors have made this vehicle that is ready and it can put in hard work of a day.

Real problem of this Express Cargo van turns up from fact that this vehicle has not under gone any substantial redesigns since the days of Clinton administration. For fully understanding why is it such a problem, I would recommend you to check out the alternatives like better-handling and more flexible Mercedes Sprinter; it is available in 3 different lengths & 2 different heights of roof. New Nissan NV too is a good contender having 2 options roof heights, V8 engine that is pushed out on front to give you easy servicing, more features & details like upholstery which is water-resistant. Finally, there is cheaper and smaller Ford Transit Connect having large cargo capacity in better fuel efficiency and relatively compact package. More conventional choices include GMC Savana and Ford Econoline E-Series cargo vans. Both are virtually identical but they do not really have more advantage over Express.

After taking all of this in to consideration, 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van is still solid choice amongst the work trucks. However, one of newer vans might suit all of your requirements better in a better way.

Trim Levels, Body Styles, and Options

2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo is full-sized van and it is offered in 2 wheel bases and 3 load ratings. Standard wheel base model of 135 inches is there in base 1500 model and heavy-duty 2500 & 3500 versions. Extended wheel base model of 155 inches is offered only on 2500 & 3500 versions.

Express Cargo has standard equipment like 16 inches steel wheels, swing-out 60/40-split right-sided doors, vinyl upholstery, air-conditioning, and trip computer.

The major options are 17 inches steel wheels, swing-out 60/40-split driver-sided doors, heated power mirrors, passenger-side sliding door, different rear window and door configurations, towing package, key less entry, power driver 6-way seat, cloth upholstery, seat delete for front passenger, full powered accessories, cruise control, steering tilt-only wheel, Bluetooth, remote ignition, emergency OnStar communications, two-speaker simple AM/FM audio system and upgraded system along with satellite radio, CD player, and iPod/USB interface.

Performance and Powertrains

2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van has 6 different engines choices. They start with V6 4.3-liter producing 195 of horsepower and torque of 260 pounds feet. It is standard for the rear-wheel-drive models of 1500. The fuel economy estimated by EPA is fifteen mpg for city, twenty mpg for highway and for combined it is seventeen mpg. V8 5.3-liter is good for hp of 310 and torque of 334 lb-ft; it is standard on the all-wheel-drive models of 1500. It is also available as option on the rear-wheel-drive versions of 1500. The fuel economy along with the rear and engine WD is about 13/18/15.

Rear-drive 2500 & 3500 are standard with V8 4.8-liter which produces 280 of hp and torque of 296 lb ft. There are plenty of optional engines offered. 6.0-liter gasoline-fueled V8 gives horsepower of 323 horsepower and torque of 373 lb ft. One version of same V8 6.0-liter is running on CNG (compressed natural gas) and it produces hp of 279 and torque of 320 lb-ft. Finally, 6.6-liters turbo diesel V8 has 260 hp rating along with robust torque of 525 lb-ft. The fuel economy guess for all these engines and models aren’t available.

4.8-liter V8, 4.3-liter V6, and the 5.3-liter V8 all have automatic 4-speed transmission. 6.0-liter V8 and the 6.6-liter turbo diesel V8 are coupled along with six-speed automatic.

Heavy-duty 3500 series has max pay load 4,490 pounds capacity, and max towing capacity for same configuration is 9,700 pounds which is quite impressive.

Safety

All of 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo vans come with stability control and anti lock brakes; they are offered as the standard equipment. The side curtain air bags and the OnStar emergency communications too are there as options.

Special Features & Interior Design

Inside, 2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van there is pure business. Controls and gauges are really user friendly, and plastic hard materials definitely have some utility but not in terms of ambience. The leg room for front and driver passenger is quite limited by engine cover which comes out from dash center. You will need to be very aware of the feature set that you would expect on modern automobile, like the power locks & simple stereo; they are all options with extra-cost alternatives.

Driver-side optional swing-out doors of cargo (apart from right-side standard doors) is good and the delivery drivers or others who want some fast access to the items in cargo hold will certainly appreciate this. The regular wheel base version have 204 feet total of the cargo room and extended wheel base models have 237 cubic feet of space. This is good but Nissan NV and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter hold around hundred cubes or a little more courtesy of options of the high roof. Due to this, you can walk up right in cargo area and this is something that isn’t realistic in Express.

The impressions of driving

2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo van is a good truck. You get any of bigger V8 engines and there is enough of power for tap on every day driving and all kinds of heavy load hauling. Before, we might have said that Express driving is what you should expect from full sized cargo van. This was much better than moving trucks, and this is all that you can hope for. But with more maneuverable an modern competitors like Sprinter, Nissan NV, &  Transit Connect, the buyers should expect more.