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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  Long term Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rich Little - April 13 - 10:26 am

  Van now has 92k on it. Just replaced the intake manifold gasket and the water pump and thermostat. The gasket has been leaking slowly since it was new but I started getting a little coolant in the oil so I changed it. Heat/ac diverter does not work anymore, blows half defrost and half panel all the time. No big deal I guess. Other than tires brakes and filters and lube the van has run great since day one. Paint still shines and interior is holding up fine. The 3.4 motor is adequate but a little noise if you push it hard. Van handles better than any other van Ive ever driven. Id plan to buy another in 3 yrs or so.

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  Too many problems, going to Honda - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Brad - April 10 - 10:06 am

  We have had to replace the A/C condensor at 60,000 miles. The rocker panels are both rusted due to open seams at the welds. My local dealer says that nothing can be done because it is past the warranty although it is a defect. It is currently losing oil at about 2 quarts per 4000 miles. Probably a bad head gasket. I am trying to trade it, but the trade in offers are only around $4300. Terrible for a vehicle that stickered for $26000 4.5 years ago. We had a Montana previously that had to be towed three times. The last time was for a shot transmission at 37000 miles while I was 600 miles from home. I must say that after a nasty discussion, GM did replace the transmission at no cost.

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  Nine Years and Still Going - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By jjsouth - March 9 - 3:05 pm

  I bought this car new and feel like its part of the family. There have been small things that go wrong. I had the intake gasket repair ($800) that all GM cars have. My headlight covers have fallen off ($150) and the power sliding door has gone through a few repairs ($400) and is now completely broken. However, given that over the 9 years, Ive only paid about $3500-$4000 for non-maintanence repairs. My mechanic says he would buy this van from me if I ever decide to sell it. I love it. At 119,000, its still going strong. I hope to have it for many more years.

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  Maintenance Nightmare - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By familyGuy - March 7 - 11:51 pm

  This has been the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. I bought it used at 45k miles. Intake manafold gasket started leaking at 50k miles ($800 dollar repair), transmision went out at 60k miles ($2000), fuel gage stoped working, cd player stoped working, water pump and heater went out...the list goes on. The only good things Id say is that its comfortable and has good safety features. ..none of which matter if you cant keep it running.

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  2004 Chevrolet Van Extended - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By kcamero - February 19 - 1:48 pm

  A bit of a "Plain Jane" van, however, very dependable and no repairs to date. Currently have 65000 KMs

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  Overrated - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By micheal laraio - January 18 - 12:48 pm

  This has been the worst van I have ever owned. From day one the sliding door has not worked right. The engine light goes on for no reason. The dealership cant fix it. I cant wait to sell it.

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  Very good van - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By hlima - January 17 - 5:33 pm

  My sister has a Caravan. I like that van, but when we tried the Venture we didnt think it twice. Its very comfortable. The only problem is my wife wants to drive it all the time. No repairs until now, only normal mantenance. The electrical system works fine but there are some minimal issues like the lights blink once when you press the brakes.

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  Waste of money, constant problems, - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By kb - January 10 - 10:25 pm

  Nice to drive. Very unreliable, intake gasket, transmission, waterpump, door handles, drink holder, windshield washer system, power sliding door, power window switches, oxygen sensors X3, trim falling off doors and floor, headlight lens blew off at like 25 mph, heater quite. This is what I remember happened to mine by 79,000 miles with scheduled maintenances haveing been performed. I will never by another GM product because of owning this vehicle unless they greatly improve product. Bought vehicle with 59,000 miles and sold at 80,000 miles and had owner 4.5 years. I paid $11,725 for vehicle and sold for $500 because of its mechanical shortcomings. Real waste of money.

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  Very decent minivan - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By hlima - January 3 - 7:49 pm

  We bought it mainly for its design, but we found a very good interior space and overall performance.

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  One of the best vehicles I owned - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By candymoreno - December 23 - 9:28 pm

  I really liked the smooth rider and it is really quiet going down the road. I have never been strained by the van. I have had regular maintence to keep up on the worth of the van. Nothing out of the norm. I really like the design of it and I dont have the power doors. I like that I control the door opening and shutting.