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.
very dependable, roomy, ice cold air
conditioner, rear seats remove easily
but are a little heavy, gets 20-22 mpg
on highway, controls on dash are laid
out very well, good engine power,
smooth ride, drivers seat adjusts well
for shorter drivers, cruise control
works well, only had two problems:
occasionally blows radio fuse and side
door occasionally locks on its own
causing the door to bounce open when
you try to shut it (this van does not
have power locks - a body shop man
showed me how to trip the lock
mechanism, unlock it, and thus make it
shut).
We purchased an Astro AWD because we
needed a 4WD and a van. The van
drives well in slippery conditions.
We have had it in the garage several
times for fuel, tranny and brake
problems. Our Astro has several
engine oil leaks.
4.3 engine basically "bullet Proof",
good automatic, AWD "sucks" gas.
compared with two wheel drive about
5mpg differnce.
The Astro van has been a great vehicle
for our family. I would highly
recommend it for anyone with children.
Our current van has taken us just over
205,000 miles in 9 years. It has
finally served its usefulness and we
are shopping for our second Astro van.
Our primary issues had been with the
rear A/C malfunctioning twice & had to
be replaced twice (the extended
warranty paid for itself). It has been
exceptionally reliable for us through
the years. Thank you, Chevrolet.
Our Astro proved highly function for
our family. Camping, Towing, travel
across the country, cargo mover. The
4.3L engine was just right. The size is
excellent, most mini vans are really to
small. My duaghter is about to inherit
the Astro van as her first car. I do
wish general motors would take the
details a more seriously. This was the
1st year they built the passenger EXT
version and the rear heater had to be
disconnected about the 5th yr of
ownership.
We purchased this van when our family
outgrew our Geo Metro. It has served
us well for four years with two and
three children under age 5. We have
driven it on vaction for over 1000 up
to 3000 miles, once a year, with no
problems.It has been realativelyeasy
to
work on for me. I changed the water
pump and spark plugs with little
mechanical experience and found
changing my own oil a simple task.
This van has taken its licks from
three wrecks, one slightly major. It
protected my young family and after
repairs has continued on with only
pour repair complaints. I recomend
this van for families
We are on our 2nd Astro, our first is a
1988 Astro LT. The 4.3L engine is one
of the best.I fix cars for a living and
this is the van for my family.
Although the initial quality was
acceptible this vehicle does not hold
its miles well. All maintenence was
done on schedule however after 60000
miles the vehicle seemed to be in self
destruct mode. Starter, Battery, Water
Pump, AC Compressor, Blower Motor,
Rear Wheel Bearing, Transmission...
This vehicle was the last straw for
the big three (GM, Ford, Chrysler) in
my book. I never had any issues with
my Hyundai and I love my Honda even
more. I hate to say it but our Union
workers are overated. Abolish the
Unions and lets start building decent
vehicles here in the USA. Until then
Honda has my business. They are over
75% USA or Canadian anyway.
Our family of four has been using this
as a family vehicle for a year, with
several long distance trips towing a
popup camper. The ride and comfort are
excellent we get 18mpg city 22mpg hwy
and 18-20 towing. But the bottom line
is that if you want a minivan that has
no trouble pulling a trailer 2500 lbs
or more, then the Astro/Safari is your
only choice.
We bought this van in 2002. It is
very roomy except for the foot areas
for the driver and passenger. Its
comfortable and easy to drive. The
2nd & 3rd seats are removable but are
heavy when taking them out. The only
significant complaint we have is the
gas and electrical. I only get 13-14
mpg and we have had some problems an
electric window and keyless remote
system. These are the only reasons I
would have for trading it in for
something else. User Reviews:
Showing 121 through 130 of 299.00
By dpullen
- August 8 - 2:00 am
By thedriver
- August 5 - 2:00 am
By Cadyman
- July 31 - 2:00 am
By ntm
- July 27 - 2:00 am
By David Rosa
- July 16 - 2:00 am
By D.norm Stroup
- July 10 - 2:00 am
By Jeff & Rosa H
- July 10 - 2:00 am
By dellwen
- June 24 - 2:00 am
By 44TR
- June 18 - 2:00 am
By swancoatjm0691
- May 25 - 2:00 am
