Overview & Reviews
While today's minivans offer levels of comfort and performance on par with sedans, the Chevrolet Astro was a minivan from a different era. Born in the mid-1980s when full-size Chevy vans were still in style, the Astro modeled the looks of its bigger brothers. It also shared their tough body-on-frame construction and rear-wheel-drive layout. Compared to front-wheel-drive, car-based minivans, the Chevy Astro was a true workhorse with considerable towing and hauling capabilities.
However, it was nowhere close to more modern minivans when it came to day-to-day convenience and driving ease. Its old-school, box-on-wheels design located the engine within close proximity of the passenger compartment, resulting in cramped quarters for the driver and front passenger, and high cabin noise levels. Getting kids in and out wasn't easy either, thanks to the van's high step-in height and single sliding rear door.
Ride and handling characteristics weren't bad considering the Astro's rudimentary suspension components, though driving it was certainly more akin to a truck than a car. Fuel economy was similarly trucklike, given the engine's origins in GM's light truck line and the Astro's hefty curb weight. Chevrolet did offer the Astro van with an all-wheel-drive system, which made it one of the handful of vans, mini or otherwise, capable of tracking confidently through snow and ice.
To be sure, the Chevrolet Astro fulfilled the basic requirements for a minivan, given its accommodations for up to eight passengers, removable rear seats and considerable 170 cubic feet of cargo room. But given that car-based competitors like the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have long been far nicer to drive and easier to use, we don't recommend the anachronistic Astro as a used vehicle choice unless you're in need of a small tow vehicle or family/cargo hauler at a rock-bottom price.
Most Recent Chevrolet Astro Introduced for 1985, the Chevrolet Astro, and its twin, the GMC Safari, lived on through the 2005 model year without a major redesign. Along with Ford's Aerostar (which debuted the following year), the Astro was a stopgap response to the wildly popular Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager twins. Truck-based underpinnings put these late entries at a significant disadvantage alongside the front-drive Chrysler minis, and both GM and Ford eventually undertook clean-sheet minivan designs. However, a niche market emerged for the Astro, and Chevrolet sold it profitably to ordinary consumers and fleet customers alike for the next two decades. A 4.3-liter V6 was standard on all Chevrolet Astro passenger vans. (Early cargo versions came with a four-cylinder engine.) This engine went through several iterations, producing anywhere from 150 to 200 horsepower, depending on the year and model. It held steady at 190 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque from 1997-2005. Initially, GM offered a standard five-speed manual transmission, but almost all Astros were sold with a four-speed automatic that soon became the sole transmission offering. Early vans were exclusively rear-wheel drive; Chevrolet added the option of all-wheel drive in 1990. Towing capacity was right around 6,000 pounds with either drivetrain. Chevy Astros of the 1980s seated only five passengers in two rows. In 1990, Chevrolet created an Extended version that was 10 inches longer (190 inches overall) and could be equipped with a third-row bench, increasing capacity to eight. Notably, it rode atop the same 111-inch wheelbase as the standard van. From 1995 onward, Chevrolet sold only the extended-length Astro. Standard equipment varied over the years, but most Astros you encounter on the used market will have 15-inch wheels (16s starting in 2003), power steering, air-conditioning, cloth seating, an AM/FM stereo, power accessories and cruise control. Options included rear air-conditioning, leather upholstery, second-row bucket seats (reducing seating capacity to seven), upgraded stereos, towing preparation and a locking rear differential. The Chevrolet Astro changed remarkably little over the years, though there were some noteworthy developments. Four-wheel antilock brakes were made standard on Astro passenger vans in 1990. The brake system was upgraded again in 2003, when the van's rear drum brakes were swapped out for discs. A driver-side front airbag first became available in 1993, and Chevy made it standard the next year. Dual front airbags were fitted to all vans starting in '96. The addition of airbags improved the Astro's crashworthiness in government frontal-impact tests, but prospective buyers should note that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the van "Poor" (the lowest possible score) in its higher-speed, frontal-offset crash test -- hardly a surprise given the vehicle's aged structural design. A 1995 face-lift gave the Astro a fresher exterior look. The face-lift spread to the interior in 1996, bringing an all-new dashboard with easy-to-use controls. Speed-sensitive power steering was added to ease parking in 1997, and in 1999, Chevrolet adopted a new all-wheel-drive system that sent power to the front wheels only when the rear wheels began to slip -- thus improving fuel economy.
This van has been great for our family since we got it in 1994. Even though it only has barely over 70,000 miles, it is great! We have had very few problems with it. The only problem I can recall is with the brakes. Something kept busting in them, and now I think the problem is coming back. But other than that, everything is great. The front and rear A/C works great!
This van has held up good, had some tranny trouble, but I knew about that model tranny before we bought it. Have had it since new, and replaced a few things here and there. Rides high, tows great, pull 5,000 lbs easily in the mountains where we live. Drives good in the corn and hay fields too. 220,000 miles and engine runs great, no oil use and no noises.
We purchased our Astro in 2000 because we needed the extra room for our family. This vehicle has been abused in every sense of the word. We have 8 children, so there is little time to worry about vehicle maintainence. The van has responded beautifully to every chore we have thrown at it. I have moved our entire home furnishings three times as well as towed more weight than should ever be attempted. We have had to replace the fuel pump,water pump,and a starter. We now have over 220,000 miles on the original drivetrain and it still is going strong.
Not a great track record 4 sets of brakes, idle arm replacements, 4 sets of tires, the water pump and now the catalytic converter plus there is no A/C in the back and the kids roast in the summer. Bad gas mileage and an expensive car to maintain. Door handles have broken and the passenger side no longer locks. No more Astros for this mom.
This is my 4th Astro but my first AWD. Even though the gas mileage is less with AWD, I find it holds the road better, especially wet roads. I would purchase another.
I own and show dogs. The Astro van is perfect size for transporting dogs and crates. Crates are easily stacked for the smaller breeds. I have had no problems with this van.
Pack it up pile the dogs in and away we go all across the USA --- most of the time Im travelling alone and rely heavily on the reliability and durability, good performance of this van! The roomy interior is just right for all the paraphrenalia that needs to accompany us on our adventures. This is my 2nd Astro ..... my trade-in Astro had 260,000 miles on it and was still going strong! I am looking forward to putting 260,000 on this one too!
I was pleasantly pleased with the towing ability, with a 21 Sports Boat. The 4.3 liter engine seems bullet-proof. I would bet it would take an additional $ 15,000.00 worth of vehicle to do what the Astro does. The style seems current, sure the design is dated. The engineering is still proven, basic, simple and reliable. Fuel economy is better than expected. Just a strong little work horse.
Will never own another minivan. We show our German Shepherds in AKC events. All our "stuff" fits with room to spare. Other minivans are too small. Ride is strong not mushy, interior comfort is great. This is our 3rd Astro. Our 1st is still on the road with over 200K miles. The 2nd is still running with only 150K miles.
This is the 5th Chevy Astro Van I have owned. They are great vans. Better than having a truck because they get better gas milage and quiet running. I just bought a new one and still own two older ones. One has 165000 miles(1994) and the other one 106000 (2000) and they are still running great. I maintain them and have not had any major problems with any of them. They are great on long trips with family, we have even taken out the seats and camped in them overnight. They are also great for carrying building supplies. I like them better than a truck because you can use the whole vehicle and have heat and air and spread out and be comfortable. I get great gas mileage doing a lot of highway miles. User Reviews:
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