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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  2003 "Silver Star" - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Janet L. Kraus - April 18 - 2:00 am

  My van is "trailer towing" equipped and Ive found its performance to be exceptional. Highway mileage without my boat is 23+ mpg with my boat its 21+ mpg. Its tops for comfort, reliability and just plain fun to drive.

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  Excellent Van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By ILoveTheVenture - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this 2001 Venture with 71k miles on it. We put about 4k miles on it so far and no problems or loss of power despite the high mileage. I merge with 60+ mph highway every morning from a dead stop into heavy traffic with NO PROBLEM. Feels like a car with an impressive turning radius despite the elongated van body. Fits in normal parking spaces too (some big SUVs barely fit). 30 gallon gas tank and good (23mpg) gas mileage means fewer trips to the pump. Seats are top notch, suspension is soft but gives you enough road feel to keep you involved, runs quiet, holds more stuff than I can fill it with, and has a great entertainment system. I love it.

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  great mini van - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By schawnie - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this mini van in the year 2000. Have had no mechanical problems. Had to replace front brakes once, other then that has been a terrific van. Doesnt feel like your driving a van. No plastic this or that like you can find in other vans like the aerostar.

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  Venture review 04/04 - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By arcadoc - April 5 - 2:00 am

  The biggest problem is with the front- wheel drive transaxle. My first one failed at 123,000 miles. After a NOS replacement, the transaxle slips randomly when accelerating from a standstill. I really have no complaints about this vehicle. In general, it has served me well. Great gas mileage! With a 25 gallon tank, it is not unusual for me to go 500 miles between refuelings. This Venture now has 200,000 miles on it and you can hear the looseness in the engine and transmission. Im about ready to retire this one before it leaves me sitting on the side of the road. My next vehicle: Another Venture!

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  Horrible - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By brandil1973@aol.com - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This van has been one problem after another & I will never buy a CHEVY vehicle again. The company (based on three dealerships)has the worst customer service imagineable. The body integrity of this van is terrible. We have had problems with the doors, headliner and outside trim. It has had electrical problems. We have taken it back to Chevy numerous times and the work is terrible, even when the general manager promises that he will personally "take care of it." All I know is that I do not want this van 1 minute after the warranty runs out.

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  Great Family van!! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By nanbret - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Being a stay-at-home mom with two little ones, this was the perfect car to buy for the price. It drives well and has lots of room for our family, the dog and all of our stuff. We like the exterior with its sporty design. This car also has good power.

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  Great family van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By catam - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 2.5 years and put almost 50 K miles on it. This has been the best family vehicle I have ever owned. It has been very reliable, with only a couple of minor problems. The gas mileage is superb I average 26 mpg on road trips, and 21-22 around town.

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  Problems Problems Problems - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kevin Dolan - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ever since we bought our Venture (with approx. 17K miles), things are falling off. I agree with the comment above, lots of plastic parts, then the power windows not working, a blown headgasket, machineing of the heads to finally a blown engine with only 97,000 miles. This has been pouring good money after bad. My Nissans have had over 180,000 miles with my first one over 350,000 miles. Never issues like this, not at only 97,000. What is it with american made cars, you pay them off then they die!!!!! What happened to quality that you can count on??

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  buy again - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By BDdavis - March 14 - 2:00 am

  ONE OF THE BEST VECHICLES I HAVE EVER OWNED. WIFE AND KIDS LOVE IT. PLENTY OF ROOM.

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  Made it to 137,000. Time to move on. - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Major Brock - March 10 - 2:00 am

  120,000 Headlight Lens fell off. 137,000 Replace in take and rear wiper does not operate. Wish it would have gone longer. All good things must come to an end.