Chevrolet · 1996–present

Chevrolet Express

The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis, which is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks. In production for a single generation since 1996, over three million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer, Ford Econoline, and Dodge Ram Van for longevity. Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Chevrolet Van

All Chevrolet Express data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Model history

=== Pre-facelift (1996–2002) === For the 1996 model year, Chevrolet replaced the G-series Chevrolet Van with the Chevrolet Express (retaining Chevrolet Van for cargo vans). The first all-new design for the General Motors full-size van line since 1971, the model line was offered in passenger-van and cargo-van variants (the latter initially retained the Chevrolet Van name), with GMC replacing the Vandura/Rally with the Savana. Alongside the first substantial redesign of the model line in 25 years, GM predicted substantial growth in the full-size segment through the end of the 1990s. In a major functional change, the front axle was moved forward 10 inches, effectively moving the front wheels out of the passenger compartment; along with improving front legroom, the design allowed a reduction in step-in height (improving access). While sharing the same engine sizes as the previous model line, the size of the engine cover was reduced, further increasing front passenger space. On all vehicles below 8,500 lbs GVWR (1500 and 2500 series), the Express was introduced with standard dual airbags; for 1997, dual airbags were standardized for all versions of the model line. Cargo and base models were equipped with a single sealed beam halogen headlamp on each side. The LS trim changed this to a composite headlamp assembly. For 1999, a few minor functional changes were made to the model line. In a more noticeable update, Chevrolet retired the Chevrolet Van nameplate entirely, with the cargo van renamed the Express Cargo Van. Facelift (2003–present). For 2003, the Express and Savana underwent a mid-cycle revision. Alongside substantial frame and chassis upgrades, the bodywork forward of the windshield was revised. Distinguished by a higher hood line, the newer front fascia (developed a

Model overview

=== Chassis === The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana use the GM GMT600 chassis, developed exclusively for full-size vans. Derived loosely from the GMT400 chassis of the fourth-generation C/K trucks, the model line uses a full-length ladder frame with boxed forward frame rails. The GMT600 chassis was offered in two wheelbases: standard-length 135-inch and extended 155-inch (though the latter was only available on the 2500 and 3500 series). A replacement for the 110-inch short-wheelbase van (discontinued after 1992) was not included as part of the GMT600 design, as the short-body van had functionally been superseded by the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari mid-size vans. For 2003, the GMT600 chassis underwent a substantial revision and was redesignated GMT610. In line with the GMT800 chassis, the GMT610 adopted a three-section fully-boxed frame. With slight modifications, the GMT610 also adopted the front suspension of the GMT800 pickup trucks, with short- and long-arm front suspension (rear-wheel drive) and torsion-bar front springs (all-wheel drive). In another change, four-wheel disc brakes were introduced, standardizing anti-lock brakes (ABS). In a first for the full-size van segment, the GMT610 platform was also offered with full-time all-wheel drive as an option. Powertrain details. The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana were initially available with five engine options. Shared with C/K pickup trucks, a 4.3 L V6 was standard, while 5.0 L, 5.7 L, 6.5 L turbo-diesel, and 7.4 L V8s were options. All gasoline engines adopted the "Vortec" port-fuel injection upgrades for 1996, increasing power and torque outputs; the 6.5 L turbo-diesel was offered in a GM full-size van for the first time. All engines were paired with a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission, carried over from t

Variants

=== GMC Savana (1996–present) === Since 1996, GMC has marketed the GMC Savana as its version of the Chevrolet Express. In line with Chevrolet, GMC consolidated the previous GMC Vandura (cargo van) and GMC Rally/Rally STX (passenger van) under a single nameplate, with Savana offered as a passenger van, cargo van, and as a cutaway-chassis vehicle (see below). With the exception of its grille and GMC divisional badging, the GMC Savana is essentially identical to the Chevrolet Express. Using the same LS and LT trims as Chevrolet, the Savana is the only current GMC model line not offered with the Denali or AT4 trim. Sharing the same model development as its Chevrolet counterpart, the Savana has undergone only minor detail changes since 2003. As of current production, the Express outsells the Savana approximately three-to-one. GMT560 (2003–2009). For 2003, General Motors introduced the GMT560 medium-duty truck architecture for Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu. The vertically oriented cab from the full-size van line replaced the pickup-truck cab previously used. Alongside a two-door configuration, GMT560 vehicles offered a four-door crew cab configuration. Produced as a Class 5–7 truck, the GMT560 vehicles (the Chevrolet Kodiak, GMC TopKick, and Isuzu H-Series) were offered in 4×2, 4×4, and 6×4 drive for multiple applications. After 2009, General Motors ended medium-duty truck production, leading to the discontinuation of the GMT560 chassis. Cutaway chassis (1997–present). For 1997, GM introduced a cutaway-chassis version of the 3500-series Express/Savana. Replacing the previous G30/G3500 (the larger "HD" variant was not replaced), the cutaway-chassis Express/Savana is an incomplete vehicle (a chassis produced with no bodywork aft of the front seats) intended for additional fabrica

Other uses of nameplate

Chevrolet used the Express nameplate for the first time on an unrelated 1987 concept car designed for future limited-access highways. The vehicle was turbine-powered with drive-by-wire controls. A similar name was used on the Chevrolet City Express, a rebadged Nissan NV200.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana

Manufacturer

General Motors

Assembly

United States: Wentzville, Missouri (Wentzville Assembly), Springfield, Ohio (Navistar; 2017–2026) (cutaway)

Production

January 1996–present

Model years

1996–present

Predecessor

Chevrolet Sportvan (G-Series), GMC Vandura/Rally

Platform

GMT600 (1996–2002), GMT610 (2003–present)

Class

Full-size van

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, Front-engine, all-wheel drive (2003–2014)

Related

Chevrolet C/K (GMT400), Chevrolet Silverado (GMT800), Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick (GMT560)

aka

GMC Savana, Chevrolet Van (1996–1998; cargo van), Chevrolet Savana (Israel and the Philippines)

Length

GMT600 1996–98 SWB: 218.8 in, 1996–98 LWB: 238.8 in, 1999–2002 SWB: 218.7 in, 1999–2002 LWB: 238.7 inGMT6102003–present SWB: 224.1 in, 2003–present LWB: 244.1 in, 2003–05 Savana LWB: 244.0 in

Wheelbase

SWB: 135.0 in, LWB: 155.0 in

Width

GMT600SWB: 79.2 in, LWB: 79.4 inGMT610 79.4 in

Body style

2-door cutaway van chassis, 3-door cargo van, 3-door passenger van, 4-door cargo van, 4-door passenger van

Height

GMT6001996–98 Express: 81.8 in, 1996–98 Savana SWB/2500 SWB & 3500 LWB: 82.5 in, 1996–98 Savana LWB: 84.8 in, 1500 & 2001–02 3500 LS LWB: 79.6 in, 1997–2002 3500 SWB: 83.9 in, 1997–2002 2500 LWB: 81.1 in, 2001–02 2500 LWB: 82.2 in, 2001–02 3500 LWB: 82.8 in GMT6102003–present SWB: 81.6 in, 2003–present LWB: 82.0 in

Transmission

GMT6004-speed automatic 4L60-E (1500 and light-duty 2500 series), 4-speed automatic 4L80-E (heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 series) GMT6104-speed automatic 4L60-E on 1500 and light-duty 2500 (2003–2014), 4-speed automatic 4L80-E on heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 (2003–2009), 6-speed automatic 6L90-E on heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 (2010–2023), 8-speed automatic 8L90-E on 2.8L Duramax and 4.3L Ecotec3 V6 engines (2017–present), 6.6L V8 (2024-present)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1071201CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_ExpressCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374525923 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chevrolet_Express_3500_--_03-16-2012.JPGPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.chevrolet.com/commercial/expressLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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