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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  Frustrated - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Frustrated - December 9 - 9:58 pm

  This van is nice to look at from the outside and has loads of room on the inside however, it has been nothing but a headache with problem after problem. Unfortunately, not enough to qualify as a lemon. We needed a new transmission at 30,000 miles and have been dealing with computer issues and the check engine light for way too long. It is almost like a money trap. I am just waiting for the money to trade it in and buy something else.

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  like at first now concerned - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By family guy - December 8 - 4:17 pm

  Like the 25 mpg and the big gas tank. Did not like that the rear hatch handle broke at 3 yr mark, that I have to top off the antifreeze every month, that the power door and locks on the sliding doors stopped working, but I cleaned the contacts and it works again, need to clean twice a year. Biggest problem was the transmission at 67000 miles. Torque converter lock out caused vibrations like going over rumble stips, after driving 55+mph for >20 minutes, now the transmission sporaticlly slips when starting out on a grade. Estimate repair bill $3000 at dealer or $2000 at tranny shop. Since I wanted to tow a camper now, decided to trade it in for a large SUV. Tranny always had a hard shift.

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  It does the job - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Peoplemover - December 7 - 5:04 pm

  We have had our van for almost three years now and it has served us well. Getting the three seats in the middle has come in handy sometimes as you can fit eight people comfortably. The automatic leveling system has been a fine feature when we pack it for a vacation. Compared to any other van it gets some of the best gas mileage. Unless you do towing, the horsepower is very adequate. We have the two electric sliding doors and I have been amazed at their durability. I used to actually joke to my friends that the door motors would only last three years, but so far so good. My only issue would be that it could use bigger front brakes as it takes much longer to stop with 7 people in the van.

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  Rolling right along - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By adVenture Family - December 4 - 2:29 am

  Great on gas about 25 MPG. about 500 miles on 1 tank. Nicely fits XXL people. VERY easy in-easy out. The auto slide door is heavenly when dealing with children and baby seats. Lots of room. We moved in from a 4- Runner SR5 and a neon. I love how it handles tight like my little nimble Neon but has the higher eye-level. Its got more guts than either of my previous vehicles. Its quiet and has a cushy but sturdy feel to it. The cargo area is useful with the cubby holes. The dual heat/ac blows hard and is effective even for our 120 degree days in the desert as well as those nippy 20 degree mornings. Weve changed the fuel filter once due to temp gauge showing hotter than normal. That fixed it.

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  Great Value - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By MicroBeta - November 29 - 8:25 am

  Compared all the minivans and for what we wanted determined the Venture was the best fit. The price was right and the 0% financing was great. It is everything we had hoped for. The power sliding doors are great and backup sensors keeps my wife from bumping into things. The backup sensors actually work better than I had expected. In two years and 30k miles we have not had a single problem. The rear audio controls solve alot of problems with our teenager.

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  7 yrs of good exper. w/ 97 Chev Vent Ext - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevowner - November 27 - 10:00 pm

  We bought our 97 Chev Venture Ext LS minivan (2 sliding doors) new and have had an overall very good experience. The 2 problems so far are a check engine light at 75K miles that the dealer reset for $80 (has not come back on yet), and the drivers window switch went out recently & cost $65 to replace. We have 88K miles. It was the quietest and best driving vehicle I have owned so far.

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  So What Is It like - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By nemkay - November 11 - 12:59 pm

  Does not have the horn blowing or flashing lights to confirm that the doors have locked when using the remote. Probably would please more buyers it if had the 3.8 liter engine. I understand that the Venture is being replaced by a new model. I wish that it had something like Goodyear tires instead of the Firestone tires on it.

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  You get what you paid for - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By wildkard58 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  At time of purchase, was best bang for buck. Has ABS, front and side airbags. We put about 18K kms per year. 2 road trips every year. Comfy ride highway & good gas mileage too. Under warranty, brought back 5 times to repair interior flaws, once for exterior paint. 3 GM dealers (under warranty period) said lo coolant light shows problem with sensor or head gasket problem. 3 months after warranty ended, coolant leak found: both intake manifold gaskets. This is a known issue with GM 3.4 litre V6s. After 2 months of "talking" with dealership and GM Canada, they fixed it under "goodwill" but still had to pay $130. Poor quality and bad dealer service.

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  Best AWD model - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Sabino - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Van drivability is extremely well durring the winter, thanks to the active AWD. The gas milage is also better than my former van, Mazda MPV. Ride is smooth and engine comes to life when entering highway speeds.

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  venture - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By snzmomy - October 9 - 2:00 am

  great if you have 3 small children