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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  Worst Car Ever.... - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By leola30 - February 13 - 10:12 am

  I bought this car in January 2011 and it has giving me nothing but trouble since. First, The sliding door went. Then, the when it rained the heat and the windows wouldnt work. Then the gas gouge was broke because It will say it had a half tank of gas then the car would stop and it would be because theres no gas...Then the Glove box broke off. And then I woke up and the car is not starting. The car has went completely hay wire....The car might look nice but It is a piece of junk.

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  Lemon Alert - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By dadenska - August 15 - 2:49 am

  We bought this 2007 Chevy Uplander used from a dealership. Weve had nothing but trouble with it since we bought it. The doors were the first to go. Then the hub bearings. The computer board had to be replaced. Glove compartment broke off after a few weeks. The interior leather is cracked on drivers side arm rest. Weve spent thousands since weve gotten it on repairs. Cant wait to trade it in. Buyers beware. This has been our nightmare vehicle. Ill never buy another Chevy again based solely on this vans poor performance.

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  Disgust - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By uplandered - November 27 - 2:00 am

  tires wear unevenly because the suspension is poorly engineered. cheap plastic, breaks, starter is retarded, transmission slips, no rear air, manual rear windows (in a minivan?) battery in-accessible, this chevrolet is a glaring example of engineering by people who no longer care. DO NOT BUY ONE! you wont be able to resell this car.

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  RUN AWAY FAST-FASTER!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By RUN AWAY FAST!!! - April 22 - 7:36 pm

  Well, Im writing agian to tell more. As of today the van has been in 11 times. We have dealt with anthing from a shotty cupholder that has been replaced over and over to tie rods. Today as I speak its in the shop because it died on me (funny, it was in the dealerships parking lot), the steering wheel vibrates when brakes are applied and when I start it the ignition keeps turning and turning. It might take 4 times to start it or just 2, I never know. GMC wants to give us...are you ready for this.... 2,000.00 to go toward a BRAND NEW car. The dealership will take it as a trade in to sell us another. It doesnt fall under the Lemon Law because the same problem doesnt keep occuring. HELP?

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  Think Twice! - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By BetT - October 2 - 8:27 am

  I wish I would have looked more at the vehicle instead of the price. Headlights go from dim to bright on their own at night. ABS light comes on every time I drive it. Chevy mechanics say its an electrical problem with the van, but my brake pedal goes all the way to the floor at times due to this ABS electrical problem. I have to push on the gas pedal to get the van started. Engine still stalls out some times. Power sliding door fails at times. Had to replace the back "hatch" door handle after it broke. Gas mileage is horrible, unless traveling interstate. Overall, I will never buy another Chevy/GM product. Completely unreliable.

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  Uplander - Would Never Choose Again - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Unhappy - August 15 - 8:41 am

  I bought a 2005 Uplander new, it has been back 15 times in 4 years. Automatic Door being main problem, 10 times, they cant find anything wrong!!! Airbag problems, seat belt problems. Extremely frustrating and unsafe. Front Rotors replaced twice in 12 mths, common problem. Seats stain with water spillage. Hate this car and would never buy another Chevy again. Now working with GM to find solution for this piece of junk.

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  Run like the wind - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Scared - June 12 - 6:38 pm

  This is the worst quality vehicle I have ever seen. It is dangerous (seat belt and tie rod problems) and GM should be sued. They know this vehicle should be recalled. I have 26K miles and is has been repaired for tie rods, steering problems, tire problems, electric window problems, interior is falling apart, doors would not close, seatbelts etc... We have replaced 3 seat belts and not one but 2 tie rods. I hope this vehicle does not kill any families! I called GM and they basically said tough luck (we can give you some free oil changes)!!

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  I HATE THIS VAN - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MADDOG_53 - March 8 - 1:23 am

  We 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.

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  This van is a horrible waste of money - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Seashell - December 27 - 12:44 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in Feb 2005 for $29,000. We thought it had everything heated seats, power sliding doors, remote start, leather, etc. However the one thing it doesnt have is reliability. In the first 10,000 miles I had to replace the brakes and rotors twice, then the passenger side sliding door is broken, the glass on the passenger window fell into the door, the alternator needs to be replaced, it handles like absolute garbage. I am so upset that I am still making payments on this vehicle as well as making repairs.

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  Loved My Venture But Hate My Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Miss My Venture - November 7 - 10:51 am

  My 2006 Uplander cannot hold a candle to my 97 Venture. I had this vehicle worked on numerous times. The air conditioning just does not cool good and the dealership keeps telling me it is OK. In the summer time this vehicle takes forever to cool. I have had numerous parts on the exterior break and be replaced. I also have problems with the lights flickering. It just does not have the interior room like other vans. This vehicle was definitely not worth the money I paid! I would never buy an Uplander again.