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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  Excellent - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By k5 - February 5 - 10:52 pm

  I have never had to do anything more than change the oil, and I just put on new tires. I have 3 boys. They eat and drink in the car. Yes it gets dirty, but nothing that a little carpet cleaner cant fix. We have a VCR which still runs perfectly. I am pleasently surprised how well the Venture has lasted.

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  Next time, not GM - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mark Oveson - February 1 - 2:35 am

  This is an OK car, but it really is not great. On the plus side, it has never broken down in the middle of Wyoming. But reliability is a real problem. In 65K miles we have replaced the air conditioning condenser ($1300) and a couple of brake rotors. The brakes seem to warp very easily. The car goes out of alignment easily. We have spent $2000+ in unscheduled out-of-warranty maintenance, which is too high for only 30,000 miles over warranty. Trim has a typically cheap GM feel. Styling is ho-hum and unchanged (again) for 2005. I figured I would sell it before it lost all its value. Whoops! Too late! I will buy a Toyota or Honda next time.

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  Great hauling vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Erik - January 26 - 10:22 pm

  I have never had a problem with the vehicle besides the intake manifold gasket. The vehicle is very reliable.It always starts on the coldest days and passes emissions. Great vehicle for going 2 the hardware store with except the chore of removing the seats.

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  Solid Family Choice--Excellent Economy - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Bob - January 17 - 8:32 am

  Very reliable. Only minor maintenance. Excellent mileage for the size. 19 City, 26 Hwy. Tows 2000# well.

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  Head gasket problems - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By richard connelly - January 16 - 12:30 am

  In the past 2 years I have had to replace 2 gaskets that seperate the manifold from the engine block. Anti-freeze leaked into the engine case. Very poor design. And GM has had no recalls on this re-occuring problem. I have spoken with mechanics and other Venture owners who have had this problem. Very dissappointing. This will be my last GM purchase. It also has had electrical short problems with the rear tail lights. Also the headlights are dull.

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  My Venture - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Arlene Sirotko - January 15 - 5:50 pm

  I find the Venture very roomy and comfortable. It is a good vehicle to transport small children and still have room for adults. The trunk space is fairly large considering the third seat can be put down and that does increase the trunk area. There are many little places in the vehicle for storage of items. This vehicle is easy to drive and handles well.

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  Surprisingly Great Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dad in Michigan - January 12 - 12:13 pm

  We have had our Venture for almost 3 years now, without even a hint of a problem. It gets exceptional fuel economy for a vehicle this size. We have exceeded 26mpg on trips over 500 miles regularly. Its also very comfortable, even on 12-hour rides across the country. Visibility is great, too, and driving one requires little adjustment from other vehicles (cars or trucks), unlike many SUVs which have turning-radius issues that make parking lots an adventure.

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  Love the Venture - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Shar - January 5 - 2:15 pm

  This is my familys second Venture. I love this van. The most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It has great features on it and it drives like a car. It drives well in the snow and rain. I have recommended this van to several people and I know that at least two of these people have bought one, and love it! The only thing that bugs me is that Chevy is replacing the Venture with the Uplander. I wish this vehicle was a comfortable and as drivable as the Venture. It is not! It seems to me if this is the vehicle that Chevy is using to replace the Venture, it should have been just as good or better then the Venture. I test drove this vehicle and although I loved its look, nothing else impressed me.

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  Second Venture Van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rich Larsen - January 5 - 2:14 pm

  This is my second Venture van. The first was totalled when it was rear ended at 50-60 MPH while I was stopped waiting for a traffic light. There was no choice for a replacement van except for the color-the dealer had about 90 Ventures in stock. I have toured the country with my first van. It had 77,000 miles on it when totalled and my present van has 38,000 trouble free miles. I dont understand the poor rating and comments you gave it. What are "coarse engine characteristics?"

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  My gift - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Brenda - December 22 - 8:16 am

  This vehicle was a gift to me for my fortieth birthday. The features in my Venture are exactly what I was looking for. Lots of room and storage. comfortable seats. The only thing that I have to get used to is if the interior lights are on in the evening the reflection is right in the rearview mirror and very hard to see. Other than that I am very pleased with my Venture. The person who got this gift for me had looked at minivans for six months and out of the dozens that they test drove and examined this one was their pick. Liked the feature of the air filter. I had not heard of this in a van, but think this will help keep the freshness of the van. Also will help my son with asthma.