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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my fun machine - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By iriahman55j - June 18 - 2:00 amthis is one of the best vans that i have ever driven. i have driven all the way to virginia and back with it. i am now planning a trip to seattle, washington this year.
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TAKES A LICKIN - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By autotek - June 15 - 2:00 amLoved this van when it first came out. I work on them at work{rent-a-car} and they are very reliable and can take a ton of beating. If you have a family this is the vehicle for you.
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A bad Venture indeed - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
By penwasser - June 11 - 2:00 amBought this vehicle new in 98, and like many others had no real problems until about 40,000 miles, just past warranty. I had to replace the transmission at a very hefty cost. GM would not even think about defering some of the cost, great customer support, not. I have also had problems with electrical items (ie...windows, door locks), and the same manifold gasket leak that just about everyone complains about. I gave the US market a shot, and they failed miserably. Hello Toyota.
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My Venture Experience - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By lnorman - June 10 - 2:00 amI loved my Venture van. However, it was my 2nd Chevrolet to own, having previously owned a Cavalier. It is only 2 years old and the air conditioner quit and has to have a new compressor. I bought it as a program car so unfortunately the warranty is out. The air conditioner quit in my Cavalier after only 2 years also! I am angry about the a.c. system not lasting more than 2 years. I traded in my 2 year old van yesterday. I am sad because I truly loved my Venture van. I will never own another Chevrolet. I am sad because I truly enjoyed my Venture experience.
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Practical, lots of nice features - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
By CPHV - June 8 - 2:00 amWe traded down - or up? - from a 94 Suburban. The Venture has AWD, not 4WD, and gets 12 mpg better. The DVD, wireless headphones are great for our 5-year-old on long trips. Theres lots of room for people and their stuff. We had to have a AWD sensor replaced but a year and a half later, we are as pleased with the Venture as when we bought it.
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Love this van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By gone golfing - May 29 - 2:00 amTraded in a Chrysler on this van ,Chev is quieter,quicker and delivers 24to26 mpg at highway speeds.Little road and wind noise compared to Chrysler van. (trade in was a 2000 model)
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I love my van! - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
By Caroline9971 - May 28 - 2:00 amThis van has more than enough room for all. The seating is changable enough to handle my crazy shopping (food sometimes and lumber other times). Great to drive and looks good too. A class act for someone who doesnt want to be a mini-van mommy but has to be.
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Venture Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
By ************* - May 27 - 2:00 amThis vehicle is very practical and does not have the A/C problems or trans problems the dodge and chrysler have. This van gets good fuel economy and has a very good ride. I love the load leveling which is standard on Lt Models. The only downfall is that the engine is a little under powered. Wish for a bigger v-6. (3800)
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So far, so Good - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By Calgary - May 27 - 2:00 amA dream on the highway, comfortable for everyone. Interior seems a little cheap for the price you pay. Lots of plastic.
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totally dependable - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By momonthego - May 24 - 2:00 amWe have loved this minivan! If you are not worried with what the "fashionable thing to drive" is, then you would probably love this minivan. No horror stories from anyone who we know who has a Venture (or other GM style) van. It is not fancy, but it hauls girl scouts, boxes, and anything else. Seats are pretty easy to remove, despite what others say, and it has a ton of storage room when you do take them out. Will buy another one when we wear this one out.
