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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  No More GM (Gouge Me) - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Wade Petrishen - June 24 - 5:55 pm

  Have replaced by 50000 miles: steering rack, steering pump, LF hub, cyl head gaskets, intake manifold gaskets NEEDS replacing: electronic level control shocks are leaking and should be replaced. Because of the exhorbitant cost I will probably convert the system, even though I like it, to a regular system.

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  Nice Van - Gaskets stink - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Lorne - June 22 - 10:14 pm

  Typical thing with GM vehicles I have ever purchased. Always something wrong that is notorious with it. Rear disc brakes seizing in the early 90s cars. Now with this engine the head hasket and/or intake gasket is crap. Seems everyone has this problem. But GM wont fix it. No wonder people are buying foreign. I would love to stay domestic, but I cant afford the $3000 repair bills on something they know is a problem. This problem really takes away a comfortable van with lots of room and good gas economy.

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  We like our Chevy Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Iacono - June 8 - 1:11 am

  We have excelent service. Bought the seven year warranty and it has paid for itself. A good car for elderly folks [70 something].

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  Wish they still made them - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By John Beisner - May 24 - 12:11 pm

  This is our second Venture and they have both performed beautifully. The only thing we dont like relate to the size of the seats - they are too long and the seats cut into the back of the knees, especially on long trips. We consistently get 26-28 mpg on the road. The Venture handles mountains with ease and neither venture has required anything other than normal maintenance. Im disappointed that Chevy stopped producing them as we are in the market for a new one (we realize that the "Plain Jane" model we now have would be more enjoyable with power items and sunroof, etc). Well probably purchase a Cobalt now as we have moved to a different stage of our life. We have always loved the styling.

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  Great vehicle, but weve had problems - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By duraflex - May 9 - 10:40 am

  I have owned 5 GM cars over the last 25 years and although I generally like the Venture, it has failures Ive never had experienced before. The two biggest have been the head gasket issue on the 3.1L engine (almost $600) and now the A/C has died which will cost another $600-$800. These 2 items seem like common problems on this van. The negatives are the big servicing issues. I dont expect this from a GM product. I really hate to say this but it will make me question whether to buy GM in the future.

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  Dissapointing - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mark - April 26 - 5:49 pm

  Nice van, but a royal piece of garbage, GM made a serious design flaw in its intake manifold gasket, admitting fault but refusing to look after its customers. I now have engine damage on an otherwise good vehicle.GM made a serious mistake here, this is my first and last GM product. Based strictly on GM NOT standing behind their product. I have had a much better experience with Chrysler, and should have stuck with them. Lesson here GM is in huge financial trouble, why because people are purchasing vehicules from manufacturers that stand behind them.

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  Like a rock - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By mouse - April 25 - 1:44 pm

  The Ventura van is a comfortable riding van. I have owned one of the past 3 years and have enjoyed it. Changes to the interior such as reinforced brackets on driver seat controls(electeric front seat) made of plastic, use metal, mine has broken twice. The lever on the driver side seat has stripped and the glove box handle should be made of metal. Blinker bulbs are very hard to change. Standard radio in all vans should be CD player. Next model make the arm rest wider and about 2in higher. Swivel head rest and deeper cushion in seats. Round swivel air vents would be prefered to square flat. Swivel lights in top of van for map reading. Child car seats in all back seats or option upon buying.

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  More than I expected - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By shobe - April 3 - 5:15 pm

  This is our second minivan. It has plenty of power. I bought because of a back injury and the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. I used to be a Chrysler man but with the service I get from my local Chevy dealer, I will not switch back. Service is very important to me with all the miles I drive.

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  So many positives, a few big negatives - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daniel DeLamater - March 22 - 10:08 pm

  Well, we have been pleased with our car overall. But thank God we purchased the extended warranty. I would not recommend avoiding this van - I would just say get as much warranty as possible. We stopped at 75,000 miles and it wasnt enough. We are about to replace the 2nd hub assembly, we have had gaskets go out, we have had fuel regulators to replace, etc., etc. The utility of this van is excellent. Its roominess, drivability, and overall reliability are positives. Thankfully we had the warranty as long as we did - and that we have a wonderful dealership to work with. Otherwise I might not be so kind.

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  AdVenture 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Osvaldo Torres - March 4 - 3:29 pm

  This van is strong , quick and extremely roomy given its short wheelbase. I have used it to tow a 21 ft. open fisherman to a ramp 20 miles away and it will perform quite well for its small engine size although it has not been designed for that kind of abuse.