No, General Motors won’t have an all-new full-size van for the 2017 model year. Alas, the General is giving the archaic Chevy Express and GMC Savana twins a few minor changes and updates instead.
The 2017 Chevrolet Express will be available in three models: Passenger, Cargo, and Cutaway. All three models receive similar updates, changes, and new features. Expand the appropriate section below to see details by model.
The 2017 Express Passenger will be available in these three models:
| Model | Model Code |
|---|---|
| G2500 Regular Wheelbase RWD | CG23406 |
| G3500 Extended Wheelbase RWD | CG33706 |
| G3500 Regular Wheelbase RWD | CG33406 |
The 2017 Express Cargo van then gets the following deletions, new features, and changes:
Deleted Equipment
- 6.6L V8 Duramax Turbo Diesel LGH engine
- 2LT Equipment group
- 2LS Equipment group
- Rainforest Green Metallic exterior color
- 145-amp alternator
- 6.0L V8 Gaseous LC8 engine and associated dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system
- 3-fuel tank configurations
- 3.54 ratio rear axle
New Features
- Graphite Metallic exterior color
Changes
- Trailer wiring changes from 7-pin sealed connector to dual 4-pin/7-pin sealed connector
Following are GM’s official RPO-level changes to the 2017 Chevrolet Express Passenger:
Deletions
- (LGH) Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel
- 2LT Equipment group
- (2LS) Equipment group
- (G7J) Rainforest Green Metallic
- (KG3) Alternator, 145 amp
- (LC8) 6.0L V8 SFI Gaseous engine
- (FHZ) Dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system
- (UFM) Fuel tank, 3-tank configuration fuel system
- (GH0) Rear axle, 3.54 ratio
New Features
- (GPA ) Graphite Metallic
Changes
- (UY7) Trailer wiring, changes from 7-pin sealed connector to dual 4-pin/7-pin sealed connector
Order Guide
Download the 2017 Chevy Express Passenger order guide (PDF format).
The 2017 Express Cargo will be available in these four models:
| Model | Model Code |
|---|---|
| G2500 Regular Wheelbase RWD | CG23405 |
| G3500 Extended Wheelbase RWD | CG33705 |
| G3500 Regular Wheelbase RWD | CG33405 |
| G2500 Extended Wheelbase RWD | CG23705 |
The 2017 Express Cargo van then gets the following deletions and new features:
Deleted Equipment
- 6.6L V8 Duramax Turbo Diesel LGH engine
- 6.0L V8 Gaseous LC8 engine and associated dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system
- 3- and 4-fuel tank configurations
- 145-amp alternator
- 3.54 ratio rear axle
- Rainforest Green Metallic exterior color
New Features
- Graphite Metallic exterior color
- Spray-in cargo liner
- 150-amp alternator
- Trailer wiring changes from 7-pin sealed connector to dual 4-pin/7-pin sealed connector
Following are GM’s official RPO-level changes to the 2017 Chevrolet Express Cargo:
Deletions
- (LGH) Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel engine
- (LC8) Engine, 6.0L V8 SFI Gaseous
- (FHZ) Dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system
- (G7J) Rainforest Green Metallic
- (UFM) Fuel tank, 3-tank configuration
- (UFP) Fuel tank, 4-tank configuration
- (KG3) Alternator, 145 amps
- (GHO) Rear axle, 3.54 ratio
New Features
- (GPA) Graphite Metallic
- (CGN) Cargo liner, spray-in
- (KG4) Alternator, 150 amps
- (UY7) Trailer wiring, changes from 7-pin sealed connector to dual 4-pin/7-pin sealed connector
Order Guide
Download the 2017 Chevy Express Cargo order guide (PDF format).
The 2017 Express Cutaway will be available in the following five models:
| Model | Model Code | |
|---|---|---|
| 139" Wheelbase | CG33503 | |
| 159" Wheelbase | CG33803 | |
| 177" Wheelbase | CG33903 | |
| 4500 Series 159" Wheelbase | CG33803 | |
| 4500 Series 177" Wheelbase | CG33903 |
The 2017 Express Cutaway van then gets the following deletions and new features:
Deleted Equipment
- 6.6L V8 Duramax Turbo Diesel LGH engine
- Diesel exhaust kit
- 13,980 pounds (6341 kg) GVWR
- 3.54 ratio rear axle
- Radiator grille cover
- Rainforest Green Metallic exterior color
- Dual 145-amp each alternator
- 145-amp alternator
- Auxiliary heat generator
- Dual heavy-duty 770 cold-cranking amps batteries
New Features
- Graphite Metallic exterior color
- 150-amp alternator
- Dual 4-pin/7-pin trailer wiring sealed connector
Following are GM’s official RPO-level changes to the 2017 Chevrolet Express Cutaway:
Deletions
- (LGH) Engine, Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel
- (BUE) Exhaust kit, diesel
- (C8V) GVWR, 13,980 lbs. (6341 kg)
- (GH0) Rear axle, 3.54 ratio
- (E48) Radiator grille cover
- (G7J) Rainforest Green Metallic
- (KD9) Alternator, dual, 145 amps each
- (KG3) Alternator, 145 amps
- (K08) Auxiliary heat generator
- Batteries, dual heavy-duty 770 cold-cranking amps
New Features
- (GPA) Graphite Metallic
- (KG4) Alternator, 150 amps
- (UY7) Trailer wiring, dual 4-pin/7-pin sealed connector
Order Guide
Download the 2017 Chevy Express Cutaway order guide (PDF format).
Comments
Ol faithful
The 2017 Chevrolet Express Lineup Loses it’s 6.6L V8 Duramax Turbo Diesel engine and this could potentially mean the lost of fleet sales for companies that need the power and mileage of the big displacement diesel engine unless sales say this engine isn’t very popular enough to warrant it’s availability.
Somebody please tell me why General Motors is removing the 6.6L Duramax option, especially on the 4500 series cut away vans? I have read for months that the 6.6L Duramax would be removed from the van lineup but the 2.8 Duramax in the Colorado would be offered insted. But now this shows thats not even happening. What in the world is going on? I see those 4500 6.6L Duramaxs everywhere the last couple of years.
I am glad I am no longer selling GM Commercial vehicles. Dodge and Ford are having GM’s lunch. Lights are on at GM Commercial but no one is home.
I think they should be putting out those lights before they go bankrupt again.
Stupid empty heads.
Maybe GM is going to have Nissan rebadge some of their full size vans with a GM badge. It appears the GM commercial marketers are clueless about the market.
I wonder what engine GM thinking about powering shuttle buses, school buses, ambulances, box trucks, etc.? 6.0 gas or 2.8 diesel won’t cut it!
What’s wrong with 6.0L?
It is not a diesel. There is always going to be a significant portion of the commercial market that demands that.
GM literally gave up the commercial service vehicle market when they stopped production of the Astro and Safari vans a few years back vs updating them. I mean how many ways are the to design what is especially a box on wheels? If you ask me most of the domestic vans are far better looking than the God awful things being brought over from Europe like the Ram Promaster.
Have been waiting 10 yrs for a newer express.. How hard is it GM to engineer a newer grill and maybe a dashboard, just so we can tell a 2001 from a 2017. And what about the 2.8 duramax… Wake up GM, you have a great van, just in need of some freshening.
If you can’t tell a 2001 express from 2017 you are an idiot. Grills and dashes are way different.
Refresh? What do you people want. Its a work van, if you want refreshments go buy one of those hideous euro-style transit connects from ford. Love my express van, and hopefully GM retains this design for a few more years when its time to get another. The day GM drops the classic Express, in favor of that euro crap, will be the day i start using used vans or , dare i say it, ford trucks for my job.
You are absolutely correct
This model is archaic as hell. Poor seating, only AM-FM radio on base version (common, an aux. jack is mandatory in 2016). The 4.8 liters is cheezy, flabby no guts (me i’m lucky i have the 6.0 liters but my colleagues have the lazy one).
Suspension on 2500 is outdated, no refinement, no comfort. No option to have a higher roof like ALL the other company.
I’m working with those vans since 10 years (company trucks, didn’t chose it) and i hate those trucks. They have to replace mine this years and to know that there’s no change in the 2017 model disgust me.
Ok Tom I misspoke, 2003 -17… 14 yrs of nothing new, couple new colors that’s it..Ive owned chevy Vans since the 60s. Not gonna tell me much I don’t know about these vans. Love them just in need of something a little different. And Angry, well your just ANGRY. It isn’t just a work Van, its my life.
The Sprinter and Transit own the market now. Way better looking, handling, and well way better everything imaginable. I have owned all of them and the Transit is probably the best of the bunch thanks to the ecoboost and the more comfortable ride.
Brandon time will tell on the transit, sprinters have some issues, and expensive ones.. test drove a new transit diesel, didn’t make it out of the dealership, major tranny problem. ecoboost ok mileage till u put a load on it, plus a lot of blown turbos so far. The Euro vans IMHO very ugly, only advantage that I can see is the ability to stand up inside..Im sticking with GM.
Killing the diesel eliminated one of the key advantages the Chevy van still had over the competition in terms of having the strongest most powerful diesel. A made in the USA engine (the van is US made obviously – was this version of the Duramax made in the US ?) that costs less to service than the European sourced competition. I do like the 6.0 gas engine though. Killing AWD eliminated another option not available in competing brands (Sprinter has part time 4×4 with open diffs and traction control/brakes gobbledygook), although why GM can not build a real 4×4 using parts from the Silverado is something I have never understood. How about an option for electronic locking diffs and or an Eaton True Trac – screw less effective clutch type LSD’s that require more maintenance. As has been mentioned not having a taller option is just too limiting vs. the competition. My favorite high top option is the Medium Height Transit. It gives you the head room without making the vehicle excessively top heavy/tippy. Finally I can not beleive it is that hard to update the dash every few years including a refresh with the latest electronics. Leatherette seats are better looking than plain vinyl, easier to maintain than cloth seats, and are not expensive like leather. WTF does it take to offer a nice common sense modern vehicle ! Why is GM not constantly trying to lead with every vehicle it decides to produce ?
The steel box frame makes this a real working van and ideal choice for conversions (if only there were higher top options). I want at least an AWD and preferably a 4×4 medium top van with a steel box frame. Sprinter can not meet demand for their 4×4’s and they are over priced and a potential nightmare to service. Transit is right on target offering three heights and gas and diesel options although as nice as the eco boost is there is room for GM to compete with something that pulls a load better and still gets good mileage. If enthusiasts and tuners can nurse their Chevy engines to acheive better performance and mileage without going nuts, my guess is the 6.0 gas engine’s mileage, power, and torque has some room for improvement and still remain a reliable long lasting engine using the latest synthetic oils.
Final points in case GM designers are thinking of copying the Transit/Sprinter unibody design. Try putting larger tires on a Transit or Sprinter not to mention larger tires and chains. I am skeptical a unibody chassis can hold up under load on rough roads over the long haul. The Ford E series is the go to van when it comes to the range of suspension travel that is possible with existing parts.
Detroit can be incredibly anemic when it comes to innovation, and this van in its current form is a perfect example. A modernized GMC/Chevy steel box framed van has plenty of potential. Please for once in my lifetime will somebody offer a factory option for a true heavy duty 4×4 steel box frame van. Some people care about having a safe vehicle to drive in severe weather, snow, and ice not to mention off road capable. Just do it ! A modern steel box framed 4 x 4 (HIgh-Low Transfer Case and True Trac differential(s) ) medium topped van will sell not to mention the standard RWD version.
Wow, we were getting ready to replace our 2011 Chevy Express 6.6 Duramax with a new one and came to find out this engine is no longer available. We cannot find any van that will pull a 10,000 lb trailer.
Our van has 179K on it and we are going to replace it because our business is time sensitive and we cannot get stranded on a cross country trip. There seems to be a big whole in the market…… I just went on line to see what the used Chevy Express 6.6 Duramax market was like and it’s really slim pickings. I guess everyone is doing what I will probably do, maintain what we have and hope for the best.
That thing isn’t even broke in with those miles
I thought the Chevy Express and GMC Savana was supposed to change its rear design in 2007 just like the vehicle builders did the same thing with the Tahoe, Denali, Suburban, Silverado, and Terrain. According to the difference between the 2000 Chevy Suburban and the 2008 Chevy Suburban rear design and possibly the front. The rear end and the design of the gas tank door for the Chevy Express and GMC Savana has stayed the same for over 20 years and it should’ve been changed since 2007. The gas tank door design and shape still need to change the same way it happened with the 2007 Chevy Silverado.
You have to wait over six months to get a 4×4 Sprinter with a 3 liter V6 that onnpaper is no better than the 2.8 Diesel, replacing the discontinued 6.6 Duramax in the Chevy GM vans. Before Sprinters offered it, the last time that you could buy a true factoy 4×4 was thirty years ago when VW made the Syncro vans. Syncros came with locking differentials too. Why is it American manufacurers refuse to offer a truely capable 4×4 van when they already make everything that is necessary in their very capable, modern pickup trucks?
Chevy has a lock on box frame vans, and is doing nothing to take advantage of it. A more powerful diesel, better handling design with at least two roof height options should not be that hard other than they need more production capacity given the GM vans are made primarily at the same factory as the popular Colorado/ Canyon. How hard can it be to add new seats and a modern dash board ? Modern safety features would not hurt either. Management/Busines/Product Development at GM are acting like a bunch of fossils with the creative abillity of a worm.
They decided to screw the generous support of USA’s tax payers by packing up shop. & GIVE their design rights to China. Im boycotting all GM cars & trucks. And considering test thrashing their inventory in protest. Salesmen…hold on 🙂