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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Wish for better mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By bchcrab95 - January 31 - 4:19 pmOverall I am satisfied with the Uplander. I have had the exterior molding rust (its plastic.. go figure) The miles per gallon was rated at 19/26 and I get no where near that. Definitely a gas guzzler. Very disappointed with the mileage. Comfortable, the heated seats are great for someone with back problems. Husband is diabled and is easy to get in and out of the car for him. The rear seats are hard to put in the upright position. One thing that I would fix is that is nearly impossible to see to the rear passenger side to look for oncoming traffic with the seat in the upright position.
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Safety issues - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By safty issues - January 26 - 12:31 amWhen I got in to drive because I am 49" tall I cant reach the gas pedal, and when my husband drove it he had a lot of blind spots because the driver seat doesnt go down and his vision is obstructed, by the roof. He even had to duck to see the traffic lights. We didnt realize it didnt have a power seat. The sliding doors slide shut without warning. Ive been hit with the door and my 4 year old almost got her head caught in the door. The kids fall over at every turn because there are no arm rests so they hang by the seat belts. Drive thru cups fly out of front cup holders going around turns. Was in a really bad accident the OnStar didnt come on and the air bags didnt deploy.
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Best Van Owned Out Of 12 - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By bernie - January 20 - 11:28 amThis van by far is the most pleasurable to drive on long distances. Since May of 2005 I have logged 17,500 uneventful, trouble free miles. Ive been averaging 25 mpg over all, and as high as 28.5 mpg on are long trips to Florida, averaging 75 mph.
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Uplander - a design defect - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Shelby Anderson - January 19 - 7:43 pmThis car has many serious design defects. The cup holder in the dashboard comes off track easily (with or without a drink in it). The sliding door motors run after the doors are closed. The sliding doors have had times when they do not open at all. This vehicle has serious wind noise (in particular around the windshield). On particularly windy days, the noise can be very loud and distracting. The interior has issues. The compartments on the back of the seats do not close easily. The latches to adjust the seatbacks do not work properly. This car drives very good but with all the other issues this car has big disappointment!!
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The more I drive the more I like - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Mark - January 14 - 10:31 pmIve always had performance cars, for their functional Gadgets/Power/Handling. My last car was a Loaded Trailblazer LTZ. I needed a new car to transport my aging parents with ease and security. All car makers can make a hot car but it is better to make a car handle and stop well. I chose the Uplander for its Engine/4 Wheel Antilock Disk Brakes/Stabili-Trac/Traction Control/Air Leveling/Sit-n-Lift systems. The SUV-Van concept also is nice. XM Satilite radio/6 CD Changer/Radio Station Info System is nice. Controls are easy for me to command the whole car. The Digital Info Center is a plus too. Auto Liftgate is nice too. Headrests in back are a small problem like extra passenger heads.
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Extremely Dissatisfied - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Michelle - January 13 - 11:37 amI have had this vehicle less than 8 months. It has been in the shop 6 six times for different items. The transmission went out, the day of delivery the dealership backed it into a pole and it had to have a new backend, the tint has fallen off, the air conditioning vent has falled out of the dash board, the horn would not work properly as well as the two recall notices that have come out on this vehicle. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone.
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Honeymoon Over, Divorce Final - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Mike - January 12 - 1:41 pmI first reviewed the van on 06/17/2005. Everything went fine until early October. Banging sound in the rear-end got it in the shop twice for a total of 10 days. Turned out to be a bushing on the torsion bar. Exactly two weeks after getting it out of the shop the engine croaked as I was driving at highway speed, I was stranded about 100 miles from home (OnStar did come through). The fix this time was an engine replacement, in the shop for 13 days. My confidence at this point was very shaken. Eleven days after coming out of the shop, the ABS brake light came on, later that night it would not start. It spent the next 12 days in the shop. Traded in on day 13 for a GMC Yukon XL.
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Excellent combination - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
By maria d fernandez - January 6 - 11:43 pmDrives very soft, I love it. It has a great driving view. My son loves the DVD system and the fuel economy is great. After driving a Kia Sedona, this minivan saves me a lot of money on gas.
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2006 Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
By e - January 5 - 2:19 amThe ride is very smooth and quiet.It handles very well for a van. Good sight lines through the mirrors.
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Uplander review - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
By Paul - December 24 - 11:25 amWe have enjoyed our Uplander very much. Electric sliding doors on both sides is major plus. Folding/removable passenger seating is very convenient.
