Overview & Reviews

The history of Chevrolet's minivan models has been one of consistently trying to catch up with the other guy, but ultimately falling short. Through three generations and names, the Chevy vans and their various GM siblings struggled to match, let alone better, "mom-mobiles" from Chrysler and import competition. The final variant was the Chevrolet Uplander.

Introduced in 2005 as a "crossover sport van," the Uplander was designed to be more hip than the average mom-mobile. But this makeover did little to improve on its Chevy Venture roots. True, the Uplander succeeded in providing the expected features and creature comforts, but it lacked the refinement and ingenuity that other top minivans from Honda, Kia and Toyota provided.

Not finding much success, Chevy finally discontinued its van in favor of the Traverse large crossover SUV. In general, we suggest skipping over the Uplander (and the previous Chevy Venture) and looking at other, more desirable used minivans.

Most Recent Chevrolet Uplander

The Chevrolet Uplander was a minivan sold from the 2005-'08 model years. At the minivan's debut, it came with a 200-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a four-speed automatic driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive was available as an option. For 2006, a short-wheelbase version was added to the lineup, while a 3.9-liter V6 with 240 hp became an option on front-wheel-drive Uplanders. The base 3.5-liter V6 was dropped for 2007, as was all-wheel drive.

The Uplander came in LS and LT trim levels, both of which seated seven with a fold-flat 50/50-split third-row seat. The short wheelbase was only available on the LS, while the LT initially came in three different equipment subsets: 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. For '08, the LT was pared down to a singular version.

Standard and available equipment included 17-inch wheels, rear parking assist, power-sliding doors, a power driver seat, heated front seats, leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, an innovative multimedia overhead console, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, satellite radio and a "PhatNoise" digital media system.

The Chevrolet Uplander did an OK job of protecting its valuable human cargo but fell short of other minivans. Antilock brakes were standard on all trim levels, while stability control initially came on all but the short-wheelbase LS, to which it was added for '08. Front side-impact airbags that protect the head and torso were optional on the LS and standard on the LT. The 2LT and 3LT packages added side airbags for the second row. Although these airbags essentially did the same job as the side curtain airbags offered on all other minivans, there was no side protection available for the third row.

Inside, the Chevy Uplander had a two-tone color scheme with decent materials and a pleasing overall look. Lower-level Uplanders came with GM's old-school modular seating in the second row, while the 2LT and 3LT were upgraded with fixed captain's chairs. In the all-important minivan gizmo department, the Uplander had a few aces up its sleeve. An overhead rail system on the LT provided easy rear-seat access to climate and entertainment functions. The PhatNoise digital media system eliminated the hassle of shuffling through CDs and DVDs on road trips by providing a hard drive that could store music and movies.

Previous to the Uplander, Chevrolet offered the otherwise similar Venture.

User Reviews:

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  Need help deciding!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Please Help Decide! - February 22 - 9:50 am

  I have this van.... on loan from the dealership... Its a used 06 Uplander, with 74000 kms. Everything seems to work fine on it... nothing that I have noticed anyways... dont like how the back windows have to be manually opened.. Need some input from you people to help me decide whether to take it or not!!

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  Very comfortable vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Robert Worsena - February 8 - 5:34 am

  Really love the automobile. Would have liked better hidden storage areas and brake system disk brakes needed thicker disks. Had to have disks ground down twice in 3 years. Otherwise a great vehicle.

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  Never Again! Rather buy a Yugo - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By rather buy a YUGO - January 30 - 3:14 pm

  It was our first new car.So excited until a month later. lights flicker was told that it was due to a smaller than recommended alternator. Wasnt the case computer problem.Brakes replaced at 23,000 check engine,tie rods hubs@28000 automatic slider wouldnt close at times had to disable,o2 sensor which causes the check engine light still not replaced not paying $200 for extended warranty work to get it fixed.brakes still vibrating ignition problems.

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  Fine Van - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Fine Van - January 20 - 11:12 am

  This is an all around good minivan. The power sliding doors are the only problem. They open back up whenever i close them!! This van could also be more fuel efficient. The build quality is good. the space is wonderful.

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  100K and still going - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Peter T - January 2 - 10:50 pm

  Just passed 100K in Dec. 09. Had a bad ABS sensor this last year and the goofy cup holder under the stereo console has been broken almost since the initial warranty ended. Sometimes you have to touch the starter several times to start it but my wife and I have heard the same sound as others attempted to start their GM cars when we walked by. For a low end auto we have been absolutely pleased. This was our first new car in 15 years of marriage and as we traveled from SC to FL to IL to AZ to CA we have been very glad the majority of problems have been as expected ( brakes, tires, etc. ).

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  Uplander is Junk - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Unhappy Uplander - January 1 - 10:30 pm

  We purchased this Uplander in June and the first door issue was in July. We had just bought the van so we thought it was something we did. In Nov. we started having lots of problems. We had it in the shop 10 times for the doors before they fixed them. The traction control went out and was replaced. We had to have it aligned around 29,000 miles after ruining the tires. This van is a piece of junk. I dont think Chevy cares. This is probably my last Chevy.

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  My new van / suv - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By AJ - December 30 - 9:03 am

  Loved it from the word go. This is more that a minivan. There are so many standard options in this veichle that I was amazed at the price. I would have expected to pay thousands more for all I got.

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By John - December 15 - 11:12 am

  Having driven Chevy’s my entire life, it’s safe to say I’ll never own another after this experience. I’m convinced that anyone who has anything positive to say regarding this vehicle must be a representative of GM. I have countless small complaints (doors not working properly, door panel coming off, dvd not working etc) but I’ll stick with the major issues. At 40,000, the engine blew because the timing belt sprocket came off the crank shaft - $6000. Last week the driveshaft literally fell out of the transmission - $1100. These problems are unheard of for a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. Mind you, this vehicle is used primarily by my wife for trips to the grocery store, not offroading.

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  Door Frustration - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MomOf4 - December 2 - 9:42 am

  I loved this van when we purchased it. We had two kids and were expecting another so we needed a bigger vehicle. Now we have had it in the shop 6 times for the passenger sliding door not closing, door alarms going off while driving with the doors shut, and the horn starts blowing for no reason when it is just sitting in the parking lot til either the fuse or the horn itself shorts. Im dealing with GM now cause the dealership wants to charge me $400 just to do diagnostics on a known problem with this model van. Hopefully they can help.

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  Love my Van! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MaryQ - November 14 - 7:26 pm

  I bought my uplander new off the lot. Researched this van before I bought it. I think I knew more than the sales person! I have had no major repairs done. Any repairs were under warranty and have since purchased an extended warranty to last a few more years. I would recommend this van to anyone. My 5 grandkids love to ride with me. The DVD player is great. They watch movies and also play video games. I have driven it from FL to OH three times and felt safe and comfortable each time. Handles well in rain. Plenty of storage space. ONLY drawback is the leg room up front for my husband. But I am the primary driver so not a problem. Need a nice van? Get this one.