Overview & Reviews

At its introduction, the Chevrolet Venture and its corporate siblings were top-notch examples of the hot minivan class. We went so far as to describe it as "outstanding," impressed with its communicative chassis, sharp steering and nimble handling. Well, in a "the 320-pound left tackle was surprisingly nimble" sort of way.

At the time, the Venture matched Chrysler's innovative new minivans by offering a driver-side sliding door and two wheelbases, then added a few tricks of its own to entice families. We weren't so impressed with its toothy chrome grille and uncomfortable modular seating, but in general, we considered the Chevrolet Venture a good buy.

Time and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was not kind, however, as newer minivans and a poor offset crash rating conspired to sink the Venture's favorable opinion marks. The downturn of all minivan sales also torpedoed Chevy's entry, forcing General Motors to throw together a replacement van using the Venture's body, a long aardvark-inspired nose and raised ride height to create the supposed SUV-like Uplander. Nobody bought the idea of a crossover minivan and for that matter, nobody bought the vehicle either, signaling the eventual end of Chevy's participation in this mom-mobile segment.

Most Recent Chevrolet Venture

The Chevrolet Venture was sold from 1997-2005. Buyers could choose from standard and extended wheelbases, and three- and four-door bodies. The three-door body disappeared in 2000, while only the long-wheelbase model was available in 2005. Seven-passenger "modular" seating with individually removable chairs was standard, while eight-passenger capacity and middle-row captain's chairs were optional.

Standard features included antilock brakes, front side airbags (starting in 1998), a tilt steering wheel and an acceptable quota of cupholders and storage bins. Traction control, a power-sliding door, rear seat audio and climate controls, and a load-leveling suspension were options. As its life progressed, features like leather seating, rear parking assist, OnStar and satellite radio became available. A Warner Bros. special edition featuring special badges and a VHS entertainment system (later DVD) was offered from 2000-'03. Although initially satisfied with Venture's fit and finish, we eventually saw it as increasingly cheap and as just one area where Chevy's minivan was being outclassed by a new generation of competition.

The Venture's safety was also put into question by the IIHS' frontal offset crash test, which slapped a poor rating on the minivan's Pontiac Trans Sport clone. Although it did just fine in the NHTSA's full-frontal crash test, other minivans at the time did better at handling the added structural stresses of an offset collision. However, the Venture was the first minivan to offer front side airbags as standard equipment, while standard antilock brakes and optional all-wheel-drive improved traction.

During its first few years on sale in the late-1990s, the Venture was our top pick in the minivan segment. But once the next millennium dawned, so did other, more attractive family haulers – particularly those from foreign manufacturers. Although a well-equipped Venture could present a good bargain, it would be a wise idea to shop newer minivan designs that have better safety ratings.

Past Chevrolet Ventures

There was only one generation of the Chevrolet Venture. It replaced the Lumina minivan.

User Reviews:

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  Great cheap minivan - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By bigdog - March 30 - 5:55 pm

  We bought this minivan used in 05 for $5000 with 77,000 miles on it. Excellent paint job- little to no rust for a 11 yr old New England van! Weve put on 35,000 miles in 2.5 yrs of owning it and spent $5000 in repairs including an engine rebuild and power steering work. That was largely the result of purchasing from an unscrupulous dealer. After the initial expenses, the minivan has done amazingly even in VT winters and I have used it extensively. It came with a roof rack, keyless entry, power windows and cruise control. Assuming if I can keep its annual repair costs under $ 1000, I will keep this car until the rust takes it down!

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  buy foreign - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By jffrnkn - March 27 - 11:21 am

  Bought van with 37,000 miles on it. Great for awhile, but then had trouble with electrical to back tail light. Had head and manifold gaskets replaced right before 100,000 miles. Three months later, transmission starts acting up. While in the shop having the tranny looked at, the bearings and crank go out of the engine. Beware and buy Honda or Toyota. No more gm.

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  Too Many Problems! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Nora - March 20 - 11:47 pm

  I was happy at first, being that I waited and looked so long for a van. Despite my husband advising me not to buy a van, I did it anyway. First 2 months in, I had to replace the front brakes and something else with the brakes that was expensive. 4 months later, I had to replace the thermostat. The following summer,I had to replace the whole compartment where my rear lights plug in, it burnt out. Over the months I replaced all the bulbs and the thermostat again. Same year, had to replace the radiator and water pump. 2007 had to replace thermostat again, water pump again, gas gauge went out, cruise control went out. 2008 hose leaking antifreeze which led to a rod blowing, back lights acting weird.

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  Dont buy this Van! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevy Venture - March 15 - 9:58 pm

  We bought this van about 2 1/2 years ago with around 34,000 miles on it. It was very nice for the first year but then things started going wrong with it such as brakes needed replacing, tires wearing out too early, alignment off, sound system acting strange, video stopped working, doors not closing right. But the worst part is six weeks ago the transmission went bad and we replaced it for $2600! But it gets worse. Three weeks later the head gasket blew which is another $2000. With only 80,000 miles on this van, I am very disappointed. Weve owned estate wagons for years and never had to put money like this into them. My advice, buy foreign never American. Dont ever buy a Chevrolet.

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  Manifold, what manifold? - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Adventure - February 22 - 12:29 pm

  Bought our Venture used from CarMax in 2000 with 26,000 miles. We have driven it 154,000 miles since, under nearly every condition, and its been a great van. We have pulled two different pop-up campers all over Maryland (beach to mountains) and although the 6 cylinders might have complained climbing the mountains, they never gave out. Our two kids have grown up in the van and we always have room for them, friends, travel junk and more. Our van is the default vehicle for road trips because of how well it holds people and stuff. Were not thrilled with the fit and finish of the interior and things have started to fall apart, but nothing unexpected for 180,000 miles.

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  Its cheap and it shows! - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By lesabre88 - January 21 - 7:42 pm

  I bought this van with only 40000 miles on it... Have had numerous things go wrong... power windows broke many times, lots of front brake wear, 3 front wheel bearings, 2 intake gaskets, exhaust, rear hatch lock, front struts and bearing plates, Abs light on half the time, check engine light on the other half, wiper motors works when it wants to, motor sounds like a sewing machine on cold start until it warms up,and much much more... funny thing is it only has 67874 miles on it now!What is going to go when it gets some real mileage on it.... I am stuck with it too because to sell it, i will loose my shirt as they hold absolutely no value ... other then that it is great

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  Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By NCMom - January 20 - 10:17 pm

  I bought this van brand new because I got a great deal. Its a little cheesy (needs extended visors, pockets on back of front seat, road noise a little high, fit and finish not very well done), but I find it comfortable, easy to drive, and thus far, extremely reliable.

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  Two Transmissions in 150K - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Heather Thurs - January 13 - 12:25 pm

  Overall, I love the Venture. No problems with entertainment system, power doors, or comfort etc. Dissappointed to replace transmission at 104,000 miles. Extremely disappointed to have replaced again at 150,000. Proper maintainance schedules have been followed.

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  Love my van! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Ashley - December 20 - 11:54 pm

  I am very impressesd with the overall quality of the vehicle and the ease of use and comfort. It is very quiet while driving, even at high speeds and in wind. I own the Warner Brothers version and with the built in TV and DVD player, its great. I like the fact that you can control the rear heat and air from both the front seat and back seats. You also have the ability to have the front and back seats on separate radio stations, or the cd player. Great for kids and or driving at night so occupants can sleep but driver can listen to music silently. I love this vehicle!

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  Rust Bucket - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By slim - November 22 - 11:10 am

  We really liked this van until the quarters started to rust through. The area where it all comes together under the doors(looks like 3 layers spot welded) started to rust 2 years into it. Very hard area to touch up and dealer would not attemp to repair it. Only option was to drill a few small holes and spray oil into it. This retards the rust put looks like crap. Hearing horror stories from others about the head gasket. With 80k on it now I kinda cringe every time I drive it. Tried to sell it, nobody wants it so I guess I will beat it into the ground.