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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  Chevrolet Uplander the classy van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By sejecc - December 18 - 7:23 am

  Driving this vehicle is just like driving an SUV. Never in my life would I have bought a minivan, had this one not have been on the market. This will give the average soccer mom more class, and more of a sporty feel. I recommend it to anyone.

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  Awesome - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Leanne Carlson - December 5 - 4:40 pm

  We love our new Chevy Unplander Mini Van. It has everything we were looking for. We also own a Chevy Lumina Van. And the new uplander has some many thing that we have noticed an improvement over the Lumina. Chevy has done a great job with the new Uplander

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  Too many trips to the shop - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By lpofaith01 - December 4 - 12:31 am

  Loved the car at first, but after an after-market auto start was put in (by the dealership) my problems began. It never worked the right way and too many people tried to fix it messing up the wiring and causing problems with everything from the lights to the radio. After the company came to my house for the fifth time I brought it back to the dealership to have it removed. Ive also had my radio replaced twice because the volume kept going out. The dealership said there was a "bulletin" out on this plus one on the headlights and int. lights surging. Theyve replaced my alternator to fix that problem. Ive also had problems w/my brakes, rear sensor, horn and starter.

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  Not bad... - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By dakota - November 24 - 12:06 am

  Honestly, I am very impressed with the interior luxuries of our fully loaded LT. Exterior is a little bizarre, but bearable. As far as performance, anyone who would describe any mini-van as "fun to drive" is really reaching, that, or they have not owned anything else. My van accelerates well and offers reliable safety - precisely why I bought it. Dont get me wrong, Im not trading the Benz in for another one...

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  Best Minivan Ever - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By patric - November 20 - 3:12 pm

  With great fuel economy, wood trim, and a standard DVD player this is by far a nicer minivan than its said to be. Driving it was like driving a luxury car no violent bumps. The front has a much nicer look than competitors. Though Im not a minivan person, this is a great car.

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  The Best Buy Yet - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By piglet - November 3 - 1:05 pm

  Me and my husband just brought our 2005 Uplander in October of this year and we have allready been on two road trips an we have only had it a month. We feel so safe when we ride our two year old son up and down the road. We have even put seven adults in the truck and they all said that they had enough room and that they were not pushed together.

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  Great Van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By R.E.Underwood - October 22 - 6:29 pm

  A very fun & yet practical ride. We have been enjoying our Up Lander here in the great outdoors of Da UP of Michigan. Lots of power & handles great.

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  Awful - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Tammy - October 22 - 12:59 am

  We purchased the vehicle with 6,000 miles in March. Since then, we have replaced the Alternator twice, air conditioner, front & rear suspension, body moldings, brake and rotar work, driver side passenger door has had to be adjusted numerous times. Then just this past weekend we has water leaking from our interior rear light. All Chevy can say is that is covered under warrenty.

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  Not worth the price Chevy is charging. - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Breezyww - October 18 - 7:37 pm

  This van doesnt have enough power to merge quickly onto the highway. The captain chairs dont have armrests and not enough room from the edge of the seat to the side wall. The air vents are hard to direct the air to blow directly on the driver. The third row bench doesnt stow away and almost impossible to remove and put back in, as a woman I cant do it alone. There isnt enough room behind the third row for all of my groceries and I have to stack them on the third row seat. Too many blind spots, especially for short drivers and when the the third row seats are up. This alone has caused me to be in 5 near accidents in 6 weeks.The DVD play skipped on our last trip w/ an new DVD in it.

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  Best van out there - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Seth Young - October 13 - 10:21 pm

  This is our first van, and it is great! The exterior is beautiful, and the interior is just as nice! Im 6- 4" and I have more than enough room for my head and legs. The controls are well placed and easy to understand. The power is more than sufficient, and the vehicle handles wonderfully! We got ours for $20.900.00 and Im sure well get every penny out of it.