What is the gas mileage for a 2021 Chevy Express?
For the 2021 Chevy Express, fuel economy depends on the engine you choose and how the van is configured. In brief, expect roughly 15 mpg in city driving and about 19–20 mpg on the highway with the 4.3-liter V6, while the 6.0-liter V8 delivers lower mileage—around 11–12 mpg city and 17–18 mpg highway. Real-world results vary with load, terrain, driving style, and other factors.
This article explains the question in more detail, outlining the available engines, how EPA ratings apply to full-size cargo vans, factors that influence mileage, and tips to maximize fuel economy.
Engine options and EPA estimates
The following EPA estimates reflect typical rear-wheel-drive Express configurations and illustrate how engine choice affects mileage.
- 4.3L V6 EcoTec3: EPA-estimated about 15 mpg city / 19–20 mpg highway; combined around 17 mpg.
- 6.0L V8 Vortec: EPA-estimated about 11–12 mpg city / 17–18 mpg highway; combined around 14–15 mpg.
Note: Actual mileage varies with cargo weight, road grade, climate control use, driving style, and axle ratio. Availability of certain setups (such as all-wheel drive) can also affect efficiency.
Real-world factors and tips to improve mileage
Fuel economy in the Express is sensitive to load and operation. The following practices can help you get the most from whichever engine you choose.
- Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure; underinflated tires hurt fuel economy and handling.
- Schedule regular maintenance (air filter, spark plugs, engine oil, and throttle bodies) to ensure optimal efficiency.
- Use cruise control on highways when appropriate to maintain steady speeds and save fuel.
- Plan trips to minimize stop-and-go driving; combine errands into a single route when possible.
- Limit unnecessary weight and remove roof racks or accessories not in use to reduce drag and weight.
- Avoid prolonged idling; shut off the engine during long waits when safe to do so.
Even with careful driving, cargo vans are inherently less fuel-efficient than passenger cars due to weight and aerodynamics. The numbers above represent typical expectations for common 2021 Express configurations.
Summary
In summary, the 2021 Chevy Express offers two main gasoline engines with distinct fuel economy profiles: the 4.3L V6 yields roughly 15 mpg city and 19–20 mpg highway, while the 6.0L V8 yields about 11–12 mpg city and 17–18 mpg highway. Real-world mileage varies with payload, terrain, and driving habits. By keeping up maintenance, reducing weight, and planning efficient trips, you can maximize the van’s efficiency within its design constraints.
How many miles per gallon does a Chevy Express get?
The Chevy Express MPG varies significantly based on the engine, model, and driving conditions, with most gas models getting around 13-14 MPG combined, though some users report closer to 14-15 MPG in real-world city driving. For example, a 2020 6.0L V8 gets an estimated 13 MPG combined (11 city/16 highway), while a 4.3L V6 is around 14 MPG combined. Diesel engines can get up to 20 MPG.
Factors influencing MPG
- Engine size: Larger engines like the 6.0L V8 have lower fuel economy than smaller engines or the available diesel option.
- Model and configuration: Heavier duty models like the 3500 may have lower MPG due to different gearing optimized for hauling rather than fuel efficiency.
- Driving conditions: City driving and stop-and-go traffic will result in lower MPG compared to highway driving.
- Load: Hauling heavy loads or towing will decrease the vehicle's fuel efficiency.
Examples by model
- 2020 6.0L V8: Approximately 13 MPG combined (11 city/16 highway)
- 2020 4.3L V6: Approximately 14 MPG combined
- Diesel: Up to 20 MPG
- 2015 2500 Passenger: 13 MPG combined (11 city/17 highway)
- 2017 2500 Passenger: 13 MPG combined (11 city/16 highway)
- 2017 3500 Passenger: 12 MPG combined (11 city/16 highway)
How big is the gas tank on a 2021 Chevy Express 2500?
31.0 gal
Fuel tank capacity 31.0 gal.
What is the gas mileage on a Chevy Express V6 vs V-8?
The Express Cargo 2500 engines both offer standard work van gas mileage. The V6 engine gives you approximately 14 miles per gallon combined highway and city driving, and the V8 will give you around 13. You can get up to 20 miles per gallon if you choose the diesel.
Is the 2021 Chevy Express 2500 reliable?
As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's performance and reliability to be its strongest features and styling to be its weakest. 159 out of 288 of owners (55% of them) rank the 2021 Express 2500 Cargo five out of five stars.
