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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  I like my Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dean - December 28 - 10:07 am

  Bought my 2000 Venture new in Sept 1999 and I still love it. We put an average of 18,000 miles a year on the car and drive it all over the country with 3 kids every summer. It has plenty of room for kids and stuff and everyones happy. Our van currently has 110,000 miles on it and is still going strong. Havent had any major problems just normal wear and tear. Overall a great van for a family that likes to travel.

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  Jese - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jese DiMonda - December 17 - 1:18 am

  I have had safety issues with the side sliding doors. This problem exists with both the automatic and manual doors. I do not recommend anyone with small children buy this vehicle since Chevy has refused to fix this problem, even after being notified.

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  Purchased New - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By cashe32 - December 7 - 9:30 pm

  This van has taken the kids to school and made many trips to the grocery store as well as the yearly vacation. It serves its purpose. It has never had anything major go wrong, HOWEVER it has been filled with small annoying little problems since it was a year old. The brakes squeal, the power door locks has failed, the headlight lens have fallen out, the battery has leaked, the rear power windows failed, the weatherstriping on the sliding door fell off, it has been recalled at least 5 times and the power slide door failed after 6 years (it was $2000 to repair, we opted to pull it shut). Ill go with Honda or Toyota next time, better build quality.

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  I like it! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By T Bear - November 18 - 9:36 pm

  My Venture is a very good van. Except for the power side door I have NO complaints. I have 85,000 miles and it just passed smog with flying colors. It has never broken down. The power sliding door does not work anymore even thou about $2500 of work has gone into it. I have replaced the belt, brakes and battery and 1 relay to the driver door. And one hose to the AC. But most of it was under warranty. I even was hit by a school bus to the front of the van. And nothing happened! I bought a new Mazda MPV 04 and it performs better but lacks alot of features the Chevy has.

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  Lemon Hall-of-Fame!! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By andslat - November 14 - 1:52 am

  Well all I have to say is...RUN! Do not buy this vehicle! We bought this vehicle brand-new & we bought it because of the 0%/60mos finacing offered by GMAC. Next time I would suck up the interest and buy foreign, or at least anything but GM! Intake manifold is the latest & greatest of our problems..awaiting final estimate! Many electrical problems, poor fuel mileage, rear hatch handle broke, rear windshield fluid replaced several times, cup-holders broken, etc. I am a "religious upkeep snob" on cars & take great care of my vehicles, but it doesnt matter in this case because GMs major engineering flaws. If you claim to love this vehicle...just wait, your day will come! BIG MISTAKE!

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  Not sure what to think - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By str8stack71 - November 11 - 12:06 am

  This van is very family friendly. Roomy interior, good gas mileage, lots of storage spaces. However, this is my first Chevy I have owned. In four years the engine continually loses coolant, the fan motor and switch on heat/ac controls has broken. The glovebox hinge has broken. Instead of having the typical plastic hinges, this van has one solid piece of plastic that runs the length of the bottom of the glovebox and after opening the glove box from time to time the plastic hinge has broken. It reminds me of taking a credit card and bending it in half until it breaks.

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  Comfortable interior/rough riding - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jed Pitre - November 7 - 12:15 am

  Very satisfied with the seating capacity and interior roominess. Designed to be able to do a lot with the seating (i.e. 2nd row features individual bucket seats and 3rd row is fold down for major storage capacity in rear of vehicle. Very good on gas mileage. Vehicle does not handle well. Typical of front wheel drive vehciles. Does not perform well on substandard roads. You feel too many bumps.

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  Not Happy at All - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Shuleran - October 15 - 3:42 pm

  I have owned this van for 28 months. I have had the brakes replaced, the rack and pinion twice, two engine seals, the power window motors, glove box latch, door handles, water pump twice, thermostat twice, coolant hoses, and the sliding door gaskets. You name it. I have had it in the shop almost monthly. I wish that I had never seen this car. And to top it off the car does not hold its value. I am $8000 upside down on a car that is not reliable at all. I cant even trade it.

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  Dont buy Chevys - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By B.D. Dalton - October 12 - 3:19 pm

  We bought a new Venture van in July 2002. Immediately following the expiration of our 3 year warranty the air conditioning went and all of the brake components failed without warning and needed to be replaced. It looks shiny when its new, but if you want a vehicle that will last look elsewhere. This long time GM customer will never buy a GM vehicle again.

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  Venturous - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By La Popola - September 28 - 2:41 pm

  It was my first time buying a minivan and it was quite a good experience. I loved the room that came with it. Overall, this minivan is go for only a period of three years. After three years things dont feel the same. The brakes are a common problem when they start to squeak (something the really bother me). The electrical system was among small things that started breaking down, i.e, power locks, radio buttons (not due to abuse), power windows and back windshield wiper. The gas mileage was very poor if driving everyday. However, it was very reliable for the first three years until I went into my fourth year when things started breaking down. I would recommend it if you have kids...