2013 Chevrolet Express 3500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 is a light-update year, led by newly offered backup-camera, rear-parking-assist and navigation technology. A natural-gas powertrain also joins the Extended cargo van, while the basic design and broader engine lineup carry over.
About the 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500
First-generation Express/Savana platform, late-cycle 2013 model year.
Chevrolet positions the Express 3500 as a proven full-size van for hauling people, tools, or equipment on a simple heavy-duty platform. The core appeal is durability, flexibility, and job-fit range: cargo or passenger layouts, regular or extended bodies, gas or diesel power, and serious towing and upfit potential. Compared with newer rivals, the Express sells more on familiar controls, big-capacity utility, and fleet-friendly simplicity than on cabin modernity.
The 2013 Express 3500 remains a heavy-duty work and passenger van sold in regular and extended-length forms. Cargo versions focus on simple, easy-clean interiors, while LT passenger vans add rear climate control, power features and cloth seating. Diesel models use a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 for towing and heavy-load work.
What changed, by category
2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter | V8, CNG, 6.0 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter / V8, CNG, 6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter | V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Natural Gas / Flexible Fuel | Diesel | Flexible Fuel / Natural Gas | Diesel | Diesel | Flexible Fuel | Flexible Fuel | Diesel | Diesel | Diesel |
| MPG City | 11 mpg | 11 mpg | 11 mpg | 11 mpg | ||||||||
| MPG Highway | 16–17 mpg | 16–17 mpg | 16–17 mpg | 16–17 mpg | ||||||||
| Horsepower | 280–324 hp | 280–324 hp | 280–324 hp | 260 hp | 280–324 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp | 280–324 hp | 280–324 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp |
| Torque | 295–373 lb-ft | 295–373 lb-ft | 295–373 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft | 295–373 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft | 295–373 lb-ft | 295–373 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft | 525 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 9700 lb | 9700 lb | 10000 lb | 10000 lb | 10000 lb | 10000 lb | 10000 lb | 9300 lb | 9300 lb | 10000 lb | 9700 lb | 9700 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 216.2 cu-ft | 216.2 cu-ft | 270.4 cu-ft | 270.4 cu-ft | 313.9 cu-ft | 216.2 cu-ft | 216.2 cu-ft | 252.8 cu-ft | 252.8 cu-ft | 313.9 cu-ft | 252.8 cu-ft | 252.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | 36.6 in | ||||
| Seats | 12 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 |
| Doors | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cruise Control | ||||||||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||||||
| Side Steps | ||||||||||||
| Bluetooth | ||||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||||
| USB Ports | ||||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||||||||
| Power Locks | ||||||||||||
| Power Windows | ||||||||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||||||||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||||||||||
| Tilt Wheel | ||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500?
The main changes are newly offered backup-camera, rear-parking-assist and navigation technology, along with a natural-gas powertrain for the Extended cargo van. There is no redesign or broad update to the rest of the engine lineup.
Was the 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 redesigned?
No, the 2013 Express 3500 was not redesigned. It continues on the same long-running platform with no meaningful exterior, body or chassis overhaul.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 have a backup camera?
A backup camera became an option for 2013 rather than standard equipment across the lineup. Rear park assist and a navigation radio were also newly offered, so equipment should be checked on the individual van.
Which 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 added a natural-gas powertrain?
The Extended cargo-van trim added a natural-gas powertrain for 2013. This was a powertrain addition for that trim, not a replacement for the broader Express 3500 engine lineup.
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Express 3500 meaningfully different from the 2012 model?
Only modestly. The 2013 is most notable for its newly offered camera, parking-assist and navigation technology and for the natural-gas Extended variant; otherwise, the van's basic structure and broad mechanical formula carry over.