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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Reliability challenged - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
By Reliability Issues - August 27 - 1:41 pm2 head gaskets and a transmission are a lot of expense. The rest of the car has held up well. We are switching to Mazda because everyone seems to have gone to longer vans, including Chevy.
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2005 Venture - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
By Michelle - August 23 - 7:29 pmWe were in a rollover accident with our Chevy Venture. The van rolled over 4 times according to witnesses, and my 2 children and I walked away from the accident. You could see the obvious crumple zones, and while I did hit my head on the roof, it did not cave in at all. Instead it bowed out like a cone, like it was supposed to. I was very happy with the crash performance, and while I dont plan to get hit again like that (!), we did go out and buy another new Chevy Venture to replace the totalled one.
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Mine was made on a holiday! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
By SDenney - August 17 - 4:49 pmWhen we bought this car, we purchased an extended warranty. Unfortunately it was a dealer (MPP) warranty but we did not know this. The motor went out at 29,000 miles and we were forced to replace it!! The warranty only covered a portion of the cost plus a junkyard motor!! Lots of maintenance cost associated with it too! Little things like the blinker lights are expensive not to mention the back light panel.
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Vehicle crash - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
By marilyn gibbs - August 9 - 11:25 amI had a side impact crash in January which is bad way to find out how safe this vehicle is. It was totaled, but I walked away without a scratch. I loved my first one, but went out and bought another one. The only difference is the color. I love this one and feel safe.
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Bad Chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
By Bill - August 7 - 10:06 amThis has been the minivan from hell. GM put in a new kind of head gasket. The bad news is that it has to be changed when you get a coolant leak anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 miles. All kinds of electrical probiems. Stay away from the Ventures. If you have one, Good luck. Mine is in the shop now. This is going to be the 4th alternator put on in a year.
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Save the trouble...dont buy Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
By schfr99 - August 6 - 11:38 pmBought this 2002 AWD LT model used about two years ago. What a joke! My wife wanted the safety features it had, AWD, ABS,OnStar, and side airbags. But after 2 years and 30,000 miles, I find it to be very cheaply made. Problems with ABS sensors, AC, and transmission were just the beginning. This van has become the creakiest, noisiest vehicle we ever owned. The windshield whistles in high wind, the power doors creak , and you just hope they dont fly open. Was told by dealer to WD40 the door seals...still noisy! My only thankful thought is I only paid $18,000 for the thing being 1 1/2 years old rather than the $33,500 original pricetag. My wife is now driving my AWD Explorer! No more GM products!
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Spare Tire Falls Off! - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
By SPARE TIRE FALLS OFF - August 4 - 2:33 pmA few months ago, while pulling into my driveway, my spare tire fell off of its holder on the bottom of my van. The cable that holds it on rotted away. I also talked to someone else that said that they actually had one come off of a Venture they were driving behind on the highway, barley avoiding a serious accident! GM told me that they would not take care of me on this because the van is out of warranty and this is normal wear and tear for this vehicle. WOW! The transmission had to be replaced before the 50,000 mile mark. The fuel injectors stick on it. Many mechanics I have talked to say this is a very common problem in this vehicle. I will never buy another GM product!
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OK, but no big trophy - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
By Dale Dzielski - August 2 - 5:20 pmWhen we drove it off the lot we had problems. The tire was bad to begin with, the OnStar antenna was missing, the lug covers were missing. We had messages coming up on the dash several times for brake sensor problems. The air conditioner went bad in only over 20K miles. Cargo area is nicely converted from 6 passenger to open hull. Didnt like the turn off switch for backing warning. My daughter turned off the warning because it was beeping and my wife backed into a wall. I believe there was a recall for the automatic doors. We seemed to constantly have something wrong with it. Rides nice on interestate. Washy handling around curves (live in WV). Overall OK, but not the best auto.
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Love this van! - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
By jackie-pooh - July 22 - 3:57 pmThis is the first mini-van and the first Chevrolet of any kind that Ive owned, and it is the most reliable used vehicle Ive owned. Its very comfortable to drive, flexible to configure (remove seats, etc.) and handles great in snow and any bad weather. The traction control and ABS braking are a super combo. Its also very fun to drive.
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Not a bad vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By D - July 21 - 3:06 pmOverall, a good van. The fuel gauge is horribly inaccurate and constantly fluctuates. It has decent power, and the gas mileage good. Not a bad vehicle.
