In today’s fast-paced urban environments, efficiency and agility are key—especially for small business owners, tradespeople, and delivery drivers navigating narrow streets, tight parking spots, and constant traffic. Unlike full-size vans that can be bulky and difficult to maneuver in urban settings, the City Express is built specifically for tight quarters and short-distance routes.
Exterior and Design
At first glance, the 2018 Chevrolet City Express presents a no-nonsense, utilitarian appearance—exactly what you’d expect from a purpose-built cargo van. Its compact dimensions are one of its strongest assets, allowing drivers to slip through crowded city streets and squeeze into tight parking spots with ease. With an overall length of just 186.3 inches and a height of around 73.7 inches, the City Express is significantly smaller than most full-size vans, making it an ideal choice for dense urban areas where space is at a premium.
One of its standout features is the pair of dual sliding side doors, which provide convenient access to the cargo area from either side of the vehicle. This feature is especially useful when parked in narrow alleys or next to other vehicles. It may not be flashy, but the design is sleek enough to maintain a professional appearance for businesses that rely on company vehicles as mobile advertisements.
Additionally, the City Express rides on 15-inch steel wheels and has a modest ground clearance, making it easy to step in and out of the cargo area or cabin without the need for a step ladder or platform.
Interior and Cargo Space
Step inside the 2018 Chevrolet City Express, and you’ll find a cabin designed with functionality and efficiency in mind. While the interior may not be luxurious, it’s thoughtfully arranged to support the needs of business owners, delivery drivers, and service professionals who rely on their vehicle every day. Despite its compact footprint, the driver’s area provides ample headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for extended drives.
The dashboard layout is simple and user-friendly, with clearly labeled controls and easily accessible features. You’ll find several practical storage options, including a fold-flat passenger seat that doubles as a work surface or table, multiple cupholders, a glove compartment, overhead storage shelf, and a handy center console tray.
Behind the front seats lies the van’s most important asset: its spacious cargo area. With the rear seats removed, the City Express offers up to 122.7 cubic feet of cargo space. There are also six standard floor-mounted D-rings that provide secure tie-down points for equipment, boxes, or tools—essential for keeping items in place while in transit.
The interior side panels are designed with pre-drilled mounting points, allowing businesses to install customized storage solutions such as bins, racks, or partitions.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
It’s designed to get you—and your cargo—where you need to go with minimal hassle and maximum savings. Under the hood, the City Express is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. This modest engine is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which helps provide a smoother driving experience and better fuel efficiency by eliminating traditional gear shifts.
While the output might seem low compared to larger vans or trucks, the City Express isn’t meant for high-speed travel or towing. Instead, it's tuned for city-focused driving, offering enough pep for stop-and-go traffic, frequent short trips, and regular start-ups throughout the day. The CVT responds well in urban conditions and helps the van accelerate smoothly from a standstill, which is especially useful when carrying a moderate load.
It earns an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that rely on daily driving. In terms of handling, the City Express is nimble and easy to maneuver. Its compact size and tight 36.7-foot turning radius make navigating crowded parking lots, side streets, and alleyways feel surprisingly stress-free. The front-wheel-drive layout provides good traction and stability, and the suspension is tuned to comfortably absorb bumps and imperfections in city roads—even when the cargo area is fully loaded.
Technology and Feature
At the core of its cabin tech is a basic yet functional infotainment setup. A 2-speaker audio system comes standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming—great for taking business calls on the go or listening to podcasts during long delivery runs. There's also an auxiliary input jack and USB port, allowing drivers to connect their devices for music or charging.
One of the most practical features included as standard is the rearview camera, which displays the area behind the van when backing up. For an extra layer of security and convenience, higher trims or dealer-installed packages may include rear parking sensors, making reverse navigation even easier.
On the driver-assist and comfort side, the City Express includes keyless entry, power windows, and cruise control in higher trims—helpful for highway stints or reducing fatigue on longer drives. The tilt-adjustable steering wheel helps drivers find a comfortable driving position, and power-adjustable heated side mirrors (available in upper trims) are a great touch for maintaining visibility in colder climates or wet conditions.
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Pros and Cons
Like any vehicle, the 2018 Chevrolet City Express has its strengths and trade-offs. Here’s a closer look at what it does well—and where it might fall short.
Pros
Compact and Easy to Maneuver
Its small size and tight turning radius make it ideal for navigating busy city streets, fitting into tight parking spaces, and accessing areas where larger vans simply can't go.
Excellent Fuel Economy for Its Class
With an EPA rating of 24 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, the City Express stands out as one of the more fuel-efficient cargo vans in its category.
Versatile Cargo Space
Despite its compact size, the van offers a spacious and functional cargo area with over 120 cubic feet of storage. The low load floor, flat surface, and built-in tie-downs make it practical for a wide range of jobs, from deliveries to mobile repairs.
Practical and Business-Oriented Interior
The interior is simple but business-friendly, with features like a fold-down passenger seat/work surface, multiple storage bins, and optional tech like Bluetooth and rearview camera support.
Cons
Limited Power and Towing Capability
With just 131 horsepower, the City Express isn’t built for speed or heavy-duty hauling. It's fine for light cargo but may struggle with full loads, steep inclines, or highway merging when fully packed.
Basic Interior and Features
While functional, the interior is pretty bare-bones compared to more modern commercial vans. Higher-end features and advanced driver assistance systems are limited or unavailable.
Minimal Trim Options
Unlike some competitors that offer a range of trims or configurations, the City Express keeps things simple—sometimes too simple.
Ride Comfort Can Be Stiff
With its utilitarian suspension and commercial focus, the ride can feel a bit stiff or bumpy, especially when the cargo area is empty.
Discontinued Model
Chevrolet discontinued the City Express after the 2018 model year, which may affect long-term parts availability and dealership support. However, it still remains a cost-effective option on the used market.
