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.
45000 miles only problem has been
battery and wiper blades replaced once,
steering alignment once. Still with
original Uniroyal tires.
20 mpg highway, good, but would like it
better.
Two factory recalls for very minor prolems.
Have not had typical chevvy things
breaking, e.g. window cranks, door
knobs, etc, that I have had with
chevvies in past years, everything works
like it is supposed to.
I actually own the 2001 model. But I
dont know of many changes between them.
LTs got it all. Indestructable
engine, good suspension for its size,
lot of room in the back.
Very good van, I find that the GM is
still good quilty. Very happy with the
AWD.
I have owned an 85 and a 91. My most
recent Astro is the worst one yet. I
miss the comfort of the seats of my
other vans I have deflated the back
support completely and it is still
uncomfortable. I cannot adjust the AC
vent to prevent the air from blowing
right on me it is the same for the
passenger. The rear suspension is too
soft I had to reinforce it. I have
spent a lot of time at the dealer
(leaking roof, brake light, door lock,
rear axle, brakes, power windows,
etc.). Like my other Astros, the idle
is rough, the rear brakes are weak, and
the check engine light comes on.
VERY GOOD OVER ALL, NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS
BAD AS NOTED BELOW. NEEDS MORE CHOICE
OF PAINT AND INTEROR COLORS
I have really enjoyed our astro for
almost 2 years, now and would recommend
it to anyone with more than 2
children. it is very comfortable, and
reliable
I have had 3 Astro Vans and I find them
to be very built very reliable very
dependable and The most confortable
Mini Vans on the street. But trying to
find one anymore is becoming very
difficult. Is GM not making them any
more and why. It seems that all the
dealers in the area dont have any in
their inventory and dont seem to want
to get any WHY ?
Nice family van. Lots of space for
people & cargo. If you are looking at
other vans pull them side by side &
compare the room. This is no mini van.
All seating is full size & comfortable
for adults. Motor has strong torque
for towing. Ride is a 100 times better
than some of those consumer magazines
rate it. I was surprised how well the
van did ride after reading some so-so
reviews. Doing light towing (appx
1,500 lbs) we still get 17mpg on the
highway. Not to bad with a road
mixture of flat & hills. We have
friendS who are on their 2nd or 3rd
van & rate them highly.
EVERYTHING has been replaced early and
often. Maintained by the book at
dealership. My 3rd Astro and will
likely get another. This must be a
lemon but I love it anyway. Its cost a
fortune to repair but had extended
warranty for alot of the repairs. But
cant seem to get out of the dealership
for less than $600 a pop. But its the
perfect sized van for my needs! Just
wish it was more reliable. Do wish they
had a 4th door though.
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