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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  Worthless after 200,000 km - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By B MacAvelia - February 6 - 3:14 pm

  Not bad if you dont drive much. Lego kit used to put interior together. Leaking manifold gasket, coolant problems, gas gauge either full or low, poor lighting for night driving, electrical problems constant pwr.windows, pwr. door locks, oil light reset is difficult to reset, and when it reaches 200,000 km its scrap metal. AC/heater problems only worked on high. Removable seats are too heavy and are not that easy to remove or put back into place. Money pit in almost every way. Very poor value for the price.

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  Bland/Average Van - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kevin - February 2 - 3:05 pm

  Average van, bland styling, brakes are weak,no storage pockets on the back of the front capt seats,only one power sliding door,noisy cabin,no cassette player, not enough cup holders for middle row,DVD hard to reach/see when cup holders are being used,rear wiper streaks/doesnt work in cold weather. I thought I would get better gas milliage with such a small V6 engine. All in all this van is O.K, not bad, not impressive, just average.If you dont want to spend a lot of money on an import, this van would be a good deal.

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  A very poor van - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By doowopdempsey - January 27 - 7:12 pm

  We have always leased vans and when we needed an 8 seater the Dodge Caravan didnt cut it. This car cant make it up gentle grades in the winter where the Dodge Caravan flew up them! It is way too low to the ground so when there is a bump in the road you hear a loud screech from the floor. It is very un- comfortable too.

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By ckp - January 19 - 10:47 pm

  Weve had out van for 3 years, and we love it. The dual power sliding doors, DVD entertainment, and 8 passenger seating are awesome. We drove 2006 Toyota and Honda models hoping to upgrade some new features, like the side windows that roll all the way down. There are some nice new toys, but all in all, the ride, comfort, and seating provided by our van cant be beat. We can still fit our family of 5 very comfortably in the van with the rear seat folded flat and loaded down for vacation. We didnt find any other van with seating that compared to the 3 buckets in ours. All the other features are still very similar. Buy a good used Venture, and save your money over the new versions.

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  Keeping Me Broke - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By going broke fast - January 14 - 8:31 pm

  I bought the van with 140K on it - salesperson vehicle. No big deal I thought! Ha! Head gastket went in first month (covered under the extended warranty I purchased). A/C didnt work, replaced 3 wheel bearings at $680 each, struts $777, engine light on almost all the time - various things replaced, blower system didnt work - wouldnt switch from one position to another $1000, then wouldnt work in position 1,2 $300. I added it up on Christmas day night and in 2 1/2 yrs Ive spent now $7300.00 in repairs! It has been such a HUGE disappointment. Ive always been a GM person but no more. Oh ya, gas gauge doesnt work AGAIN - this is the third time and it is a $700 fix!

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  Venture impressions - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jim S. - January 14 - 5:30 pm

  An OK vehicle except for the intake gasket failures that they refused to warranty and the horrible resale value. Good for transporting kids and their assorted stuff. Electrical problems are showing up with regularity. Am experiencing some transmission trouble - its starting to shift hard into overdrive. Due to price and mechanical issues i will not buy another one.

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  A Nice Choice - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jerome Miranda - January 3 - 7:37 pm

  This vehicle rides smoothly and quietly. I cannot see paying thousands more for the additional supposed reliability, etc. of either the Toyota or Honda comparable product, although both are also excellent vehicles. My only complaint is with the gas mileage, 25 mpg tops for "highway". Excellent drive in snow and rain. Flexible seating allows for multiple use under varying conditions. No water leaks, no nuisance issues, no performance issues.

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  But This Van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By doublell1 - January 1 - 2:35 pm

  This van is by for the best van for the year. Just got back from a 3500 mile road trip. Smooth ride on interstate and 2 and 4 lane back roads. Mileage was good at around 25-28 with a full load of people and cargo. Next one will be an 05. Too bad Chevy replaced it with a Uplander!

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  This Chevy Venture is our last U.S. car - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By chris beyer - January 1 - 11:29 am

  We bought this car because of a great deal that resulted from being a GM supplier (my company). This 2003 Chevrolet Venture Warner edition is a piece of junk. At 40,000 miles, the rear hatch pneumatic devices that hold it up when loading failed. At 50,000 miles the traction control and cruise control dont work anymore. We wonder whats next. The engine (176 HP six cylinder) accelerates more like a 4 cylinder. The interior build quality is poor throughout. All in all the vehicle is a piece of junk. GM deserves to lose marketshare with products like the Venture.

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  Love my Venture! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By imokru - December 29 - 5:42 pm

  My wife uses this van to drive back and forth to work, in Lake Michigan shoreline driving conditions, and loves it. We also take it all over the United States in the summer (we are both teachers). It has performed like a champ. We have crossed the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, climbed the Rocky Mountains, and cruized the Great Lakes region extensively. We love this van, and will be sorry to let it go when we finally wear it out and beat it to death (we have kids).