Just last week, GM Authority reported on the tow ratings for the latest 2021 Chevrolet Express and 2021 GMC Savana, which show no improvements compared to the preceding 2020 model year, even when equipped with the more-powerful, new-for-2021 6.6L V8 L8T engine. Now, we’re taking a look at the payload capacities for these two full-size vans.
Compared to the preceding 2020 model year vehicles, the 2021 Chevrolet Express and 2021 GMC Savana show only minimal changes with regard to payload capacities.
To illustrate these differences, we’ve compiled each model’s specs in the following table, lining them up side-by-side for easy comparison. Figures covered include curb weight and payload capacity, with the figures divided by model and engine equipped.
| 2020 Express/Savana 2500 RWB | 2021 Express/Savana 2500 RWB | |
|---|---|---|
| Curb Weight w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 5,261 / 2,386 | 5,261 / 2,386 |
| Curb Weight w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 5,498 / 2,494 | |
| Curb Weight w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 5,488 / 2,489 | |
| Curb Weight w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 5,693 / 2,582 | 5,673 / 2,574 |
| Payload w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 3,280 / 1,488 | 3,280 / 1,488 |
| Payload w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 3,050 / 1,383 | |
| Payload w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 3,060 / 1,388 | |
| Payload w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 2,850 / 1,293 | 2,870 / 1,302 |
| 2020 Express/Savana 2500 EWB | 2021 Express/Savana 2500 EWB | |
| Curb Weight w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 5,483 / 2,487 | 5,483 / 2,487 |
| Curb Weight w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 5,723 / 2,596 | |
| Curb Weight w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 5,753 / 2,610 | |
| Curb Weight w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 5,905 / 2,678 | 5,885 / 2,669 |
| Payload w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 3,060 / 1,388 | 3,060 / 1,388 |
| Payload w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 2,820 / 1,279 | |
| Payload w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 2,790 / 1,266 | |
| Payload w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 2,640 / 1,197 | 2,660 / 1,207 |
| 2020 Express/Savana 3500 RWB | 2021 Express/Savana 3500 RWB | |
| Curb Weight w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 5,288 / 2,399 | 5,266 / 2,389 |
| Curb Weight w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 5,525 / 2,506 | |
| Curb Weight w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 5,533 / 2,510 | |
| Curb Weight w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 5,720 / 2,595 | 5,678 / 2,575 |
| Payload w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 4,250 / 1,928 | 4,280 / 1,941 |
| Payload w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 4,020 / 1,823 | |
| Payload w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 4,010 / 1,819 | |
| Payload w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 3,820 / 1,733 | 3,870 / 1,755 |
| 2020 Express/Savana 3500 EWB | 2021 Express/Savana 3500 EWB | |
| Curb Weight w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 5,486 / 2,488 | 5,487 / 2,489 |
| Curb Weight w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 5,727 / 2,598 | |
| Curb Weight w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 5,757 / 2,611 | |
| Curb Weight w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 5,908 / 2,680 | 5,888 / 2,671 |
| Payload w/LV1 (lbs. / kg) | 4,060 /1,842 | 4,060 /1,842 |
| Payload w/LC8/L96 (lbs. / kg) | 3,820 / 1,733 | |
| Payload w/L8T (lbs. / kg) | 4,090 / 1,855 | |
| Payload w/LWN (lbs. / kg) | 3,930 / 1,783 | 3,960 / 1,796 |
As we can see, the differences in payload between the previous 2020 model year and latest 2021 model year are minimal, even with the addition of the heavy-duty 6.6L V8 L8T engine, which replaces the archaic 6.0L V8 L96 and 6.0L V8 LC8 offered with the previous model year.
The only real exception to this would be with the 2021 Chevrolet Express and 2021 GMC Savana 3500 EWB models, which show an improvement of 270 pounds in payload capacity between the 2020 model year’s LC8/L96 (3,820 pounds) and the 2021 model year’s L8T (4,090 pounds).
The 6.6L V8 L8T engine was introduced with the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD. Output is rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, besting the L96/LC8 which it replaces by 60 horsepower and 91 pound-feet of torque. Peak ratings for the L96/LC8 come in at 341 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque.
The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana were introduced for the 1996 model year, replacing the Chevrolet van and GMC Vandura, respectively. Changes have been relatively minimal over the years, with the exception of a new front fascia for the 2003 model year. Both models are produced in Wentzville, Missouri, at the GM Wentzville facility.
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Comments
GM once owned the van market. Now Ford owns over 60% of the market. The Mailman in my neighborhood now drives a Ram ProMaster. The The Amazon vans are Ford Transit. Why GM continues to build these outdated vans is beyond me.
why mess with mediocrity?
They keep building them because they keep selling them, probably at a good profit with all R&D expenses long gone. Also, cargo limits are much more related to suspension and axles than engine power, I wouldn’t have expected a change there without investments in upgrades in those areas.
Or would you rather make more money and update the van?
To change something just for the sake of change doesn’t make sense to me. The change from a full ladder frame to a sheet metal bent frame, the change from a normally aspirated V8 to turbo charged V6’s is really not working in the real world. GM’’s new HD 6.6 gas engine specifically designed for heavy duty work is perfect. As far as looks go, everything else is just ugly. The traditional look of this 25+ year old design is still the best way to design a box to carry cargo.
My 2017 2500HD double cab pickup with a 6.0 L96 has a tow capacity of 13000 lbs. This makes it pretty easy to have predicted a mere engine upgrade on a van frame wouldn’t go up from the 10000 it was already rated for with the same L96. Clearly the engine wasn’t holding it back.
Older than the nissan frontier. At least the frontier is a good though
Anyone who would buy the passenger version of the GMC Savana or Chevy Express, with the extra rows of seats, as a family hauler has already died and gone to hell!
To Steve – I love my van. I’m looking forward to the upgrade but the engine and tranny run clean and smooth. Don’t trust the Promaster or the Sprinter and the Transit’s tires are too small and it has too little clearance for my needs.
I wish the L5P Duramax was an option
offer the new 3.0 diesel, a raised roof, and some upgraded interior options for the emerging camper van market and DIYers.
For me a high roof would do it. Add in 4wd and wow….
I’ve driven the Transit and I’ve owned a Savana. They drive nothing alike. The Transit doesn’t drive like a van and this is nice. The GM vans are old, but in my opinion they look way better than the Euro vans, and the engines sound great. It’s not unusual to see a 1 year old Transit with missing plastic body parts, and of course that fuel door. I’ve always thought it was cool how the GM’s have hidden rear door hinges. To this day I continue to see decades old GM vans on the road. I don’t think this will be the case with some of the EURO vans. Definitely not the Promaster . I will agree it’s past time for GM to at least offer a high roof option at this point.
I suspect a high roof version of those vans won’t show up until the the General totally redesigns them, whenever that will be.
GM van is a timeless design with REAL (non turbo crap) engine available. These things last decades, not years. Nothing sounds as good as the GM V-8. This new engine offering at 401 HP sounds very exciting. Take one of these vans “converted” by Explorer (Van Co.) They are drop-dead gorgeous looking. In the very long haul, competitor’s vans, will have to be replaced twice, I’m sure. Ditto for the turbo part. That certainly makes them no “greener” , even with their good gas mileage!