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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It is what it is. - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
By William - May 16 - 5:04 pmThe uplander is different than other vans. It sits up higher on the 17" wheels and has more ground clearance. You can open the engine bay and see an engine because of the long hood. The engine is descent with good power. This van is not the nicest to drive, the most dependable, nor does it have the best interior, but if you want to tow a camper or leave pavement or like to ride a bit higher with all the room of a van, I recommend you take it for a drive. Dont be afraid to spend a couple bucks and get a 4 wheel alignment, upgraded shocks and you have most problems handled.
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Dont Buy GM/Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
By Kristy - May 12 - 5:50 pmBattery keeps going dead for no apparent reason, dealership cant figure out the reason, and I am stuck paying a note on something I cant drive. Apparently its "rocket science" nobody can figure out what the problem is, and they dont care.
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uplander gas gauge/sliding door problems - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
By dawn - May 12 - 5:28 pmHelp!Just purchased a few months ago-this car has been in the shop 6 times for the gas gauge-it floats- never gives the exact amount of gas you have. I called gm they said it is this cars issue not defect! They dont know how to fix it-I am just stuck with it like that!The sliding doors close then pop back open!
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New Owner Experience - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
By timrlarson - May 8 - 12:35 pmAfter reading all the horror stories about this vehicle and its brothers I bought one anyway because I love the body style and the ease of entry for passengers, and I was able to talk the dealer into $500 for an additional 4 year 48,000mi bumper to bumper warranty. I will be back to report on my ownership experiences as they occur, but I want to start by saying I have just driven about 600 miles from Portland to Sacramento and averaged 24.7mpg @65mph average with about 200# passenger. The driving was a breeze and the support of the drivers seat was excellent. No tired back or legs, arrived fresh and happy. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
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Love my van. - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
By Lisa - May 7 - 6:51 pmIt was a rental van.It"s fully loaded and so nice to drive.I drive alot for work and bought it just as a work van to haul things or to take groups to different meetings.
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I love my Uplander! - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Dawn Ilg - May 5 - 12:30 pmMy van handles great in bad weather, all of the controls are right in my reach, easy for the kids to get in the back seat, and having the DVD keeps my kids quiet!! I would recomend the Uplander to anyone who is looking to buy a minivan!
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Uplander is Awesome! - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
By Donnie - April 7 - 5:00 pmMy wife and I bought this used van back in March and love it! It had about 46650 miles on it, but drove and felt like a brand new vehicle. We traded a 1998 Chevy Venture. While the Uplander looks somewhat similar to the Venture, it rocks with its vast improvements, especially the 240 horses of raw unadulterated power! Has great punch to pass at highway speeds. Van is much more quiet than its predecessor. It is an LS model with many standard features. Great factory Stereo! I proceeded to flush out the Dex-Cool antifreeze and replace with universal 5 year coolant. Dex-Cool coolant causes major problems! I took and flushed mine 2nd day I had it to protect cooling system.
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Mini Van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
By Chris - March 18 - 10:08 pmWe purchased this van right off the truck it still had the White plastic on the doors. My wife was so excited our first new vehicle! Right away starting problems let us stranded, then went through 2 alternators and a voltage regulator light still flickered. Then around 34,000 miles (3 yrs&1mo) the problems hit. Low oil press light, fuse pop to radio 4 times, 60amp fuse would pop controlling power doors and turn lights brake lights, then abs light and trac control light came on. We took it back to the dealer $300+ diagnostic later no issues could be duplicated out of warranty.. I hated this van for the last three months I owned it. I would never allow one of my friends or family to purchase one!
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NIce van with plenty of power - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
By duraflex - March 10 - 9:39 amWe loved our 9 year old Venture but had to replace it. The Uplander LS lacks some of the comfort features we took for granted but its a good follow-on. Missing are the swing out electric powered windows at the far rear as well as a front seat storage drawer and other storage spaces the Venture had. All the seats are not as wide or plush as the Venture but theyre not bad. On the highway, its quieter than the Venture and ours gets about 26 MPG. Around town, MPG is about the same. Handling is excellent and steering isnt overly sensitive and unforgiving like some SUVs Ive driven. Van is great looking and a pleasure to drive.
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I HATE THIS VAN - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
By MADDOG_53 - March 8 - 1:23 amWe traded my 2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 for this hunk of junk 2.5 years ago. I have never owned a minivan before and will never own another chevy van. The lights flicker all the time, had the front stabilizer bar replaced, the engine wont start half the time, the brake system is junk replaced the brakes 5x now at $167 just for the pads and only have 47k miles. I have more room in my 07 Ram 1500 quad cab and get about the same gas millage and it is a 4x4, had the steering column replaced, cant list all the problems we have had.
