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:

• 

  Great fuel economy - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By jeepride - July 18 - 8:49 am

  Had van since new. The interior parts are very cheap. The video system controllers kept popping out at times when accelerating. Dealer replaced them under warranty and they continued to fall out. I put adhesive strips behind them and they havent fell off since. I pulled both front seats out the first week I owned the van to send them to an upholstery shop to add lower side support. Now much better. The leather seat surfaces wore a hole within 40,000 miles. My intake went at 42,000 miles. Keep an eye one your coolant level. The 100,000 spark plugs are meaningless with coils that only last 35,000 miles. Transmission shifts hard after 43,000 miles. Dealer charged me for a transmission flush ($300.00). Now bad again at 73K.

• 

  Think twice about GM - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By GM...Phoey! - July 17 - 6:19 pm

  This is my first GM model and Im disappointed in its value. After 71k miles, it needed a a new manifold head gasket for $950. Dealer said that they ALL failed around that mileage and the fix only will last 3-5 years until you need a new gasket. Friends 98 Pontiac Grand Prix (same engine) died at 68K with the same problem. Brakes squeal all the time and cant keep it aligned at all. Only put on 5-6K miles a year so no "severe" driving involved. It was a good price when we got it in 2000 used, but not so sure now.

• 

  Chevy Venture 2005 LT - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Michelle Dodge - July 16 - 3:28 am

  Going from driving a smaller 4-door sedan for 6 years, and trying to fit my 3 children in that one back seat, to driving in my Venture is like rediscovering the joy of driving! I have to admit, driving a van is very different than driving a smaller car. The van itself rides very smoothly, very comfortable and the model we have has many of the options, which add to the overall comfort. I did find that it feels a bit top heavy when turning, and needs considerably more stopping time. Not being an expert, I assume this is just the weight and size factor. The sound quality in the stereo could use improvement, I think that more speakers throughout are needed in something as long as a minivan.

• 

  A GREAT VEHICLE! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Diane - July 15 - 11:30 am

  The Warner Bros. minivan is a great vehicle. I drive a great deal and am very comfortable with the vans handling and maneuverability. I have had this van 4-1/2 years, and the reliability has been great! I would highly recommend this vehicle. I love this van so much that I intend on keeping it for many, many years to come.

• 

  Mixed Bag - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By theseahawk - July 7 - 5:33 pm

  Good gas mileage, lots of acceleration and power, reliable drive, repair prone, convenient with dual sliding doors but pretty much an average van in the field of choices. I would not buy another one -- I would buy a different make.

• 

  Nothing Great - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By miller - July 5 - 3:40 pm

  This van is not exceptional. However it does a lot of things well for a good price. 8 passenger seating, ample storage space, roof racks, aftermarket hitch and good gas mileage too. Reliability has not been great, but everything except the AC condenser at 45K was covered under warranty and the servicing dealer (not the one we bought it at) has been great.

• 

  Problems from the word go - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By hatemyventure - July 3 - 12:52 am

  Our van has had problems from the word go. Within two months our driver side window had problems going up and the interior roof liner began sagging. The window, we were always told was due to sand in the track. This is not the case.The liner we were told was a known problem but the engineers dont know how to fix it. Two years and two seasons of owning our van, our condenser for the air conditioning went. We were told it was due to a bad weld but chevy refused to fix it because we were past the warranty in miles. They did offer to fix a head gasket that we were not aware was problematic. In the end before our two year ownership anniversary the van needed $2300 worth of uncovered work.

• 

  Wouldnt trade for anything! - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By momof3 - June 29 - 1:39 pm

  I thought I would never own a mini-van that is until I was pregnant with my 3rd child! I love the convenience of getting kids in and out of their carseats without having to bend over (like in a car), or stand on your tip toes (like a truck). Kids love the DVD player. Great highway mileage, and goes great through the snow.

• 

  Extras - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Patricia Cambeis - June 14 - 10:25 am

  The power windows break constantly and the A/C is very poor in this van. The compressor had to be replaced at 36,000 miles and was not covered under the extended warranty.

• 

  Good Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Z - June 6 - 4:01 pm

  I bought this van new and think overpaid for it at 27K. My other choice was a Honda Odyssey, but dealer did not want to reduce price. Overall the van has performed well. Drove from NC to Colorado, and then to San Diego and back without problems. Has a good soft ride, OK gas mileage, and good interior features. Wish it had better cup holders in front and better storage in center console. Front seat rear pockets have come apart at the upper corners from kids pulling on them. Storage space is great. It seats 8, but second row is too low to the floor. Overall I am happy with the van. I dislike the fast depreciation when compared with its Japanese counterparts. You should get a good deal on this van when buying used