Both the NV and the Express Cargo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The NV comes with a full 5-year/100,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Express Cargo's 3-year basic warranty expires 2 years and 64000 miles sooner.

The NV's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Express Cargo's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the NV's engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Express Cargo's camshafts. If the Express Cargo's belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the NV have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Express Cargo.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the NV has a 130-amp alternator. The Express Cargo's standard 105-amp alternator isn't as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the NV has a 650-amp battery. The Express Cargo only offers a standard 600-amp battery.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 14 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The NV's optional 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 99 more horsepower (375 vs. 276) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (387 vs. 298) than the Express Cargo's standard 4.3 V6.

For better stopping power the NV's brake rotors are larger than those on the Express Cargo:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don't press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The NV has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Express Cargo doesn't offer a brake assist feature.

The NV 1500/2500's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Express Cargo's 75 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the NV has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Express Cargo.

The NV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the NV flat and controlled during cornering. The Express Cargo's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the NV's wheelbase is 11.1 inches longer than on the Express Cargo 2500 135” WB (146.1 inches vs. 135 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NV is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Express Cargo.

For better maneuverability, the NV's turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Express Cargo 2500 135” WB's (45.2 feet vs. 49.2 feet). The NV's turning circle is 9.3 feet tighter than the Express Cargo 2500 155” WB's (45.2 feet vs. 54.5 feet).

The NV is 3.5 inches shorter than the Express Cargo 2500 155” WB, making the NV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the NV easier. The NV's cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Express Cargo 2500 155” WB's liftover is 29.8 inches. The Express Cargo 2500 135” WB's liftover is 30.3 inches.

The NV's cargo area is larger than the Express Cargo's in almost every dimension:

A standard locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the NV. The Express Cargo doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

While the Express Cargo 3500 155” WB Diesel can only tow 6000, any NV can tow a minimum of 6900 pounds.

The NV uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Express Cargo uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The NV's standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Chevrolet does not offer a locking feature on the Express Cargo's standard power windows.

The NV's driver's power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Express Cargo's power windows' switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

The NV's power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Express Cargo's power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the NV, connecting the driver and passenger's cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle's stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Express Cargo.