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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  A GREAT CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By INEZ VANDYKE - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY VEHICLE, IT IS VERY COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. ITS BEATIFUL CAR, DRIVES GREAT IN HIGHWAYS, GOOD ON GAS. I LIKE THE SLIDING DOORS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY HANDS ARE FULL.

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  mini van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By ltimer - March 7 - 2:00 am

  best van we have ever owned

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  venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By larl - March 5 - 2:00 am

  It is a good van. safe for the kids

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  What a piece of garbage. - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By sturmiller - February 23 - 2:00 am

  10,000 miles- new transmission hood pops open spontaneously- takes mos. to fix. TWO front brake jobs- with rotors 40,000 intake gasket blows. ($1200 repair) 44,000 wheel cylinders blow out 46,000 seat belt sensor and air bag breaks ($350 repair) 47,500 steering pump blows and so do both wires. $700 repair Motor for rear wiper dies ($400 repair) DONT BUY GM. They make junk. Whole websites full of complaints from unhappy consumers. This car is the WORST. Spend more, get better..

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  no more venturing for us - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By twk - February 20 - 2:00 am

  1st 2 years were fine with this vehicle, soon as the 36,000 warr. wore off problems started on regular basis. have had electrical issues with the wiring, problem with the power windows and the gasket problem everyone else has mentioned..& little things like the rear hatch handle breaking off GM should stand behind its product. it is very poor quality. i can not believe how many people i know that have had the same problems! the gasket should have been a recall..and many people have had the wiring problem too. i can not afford a hefty car payment, coupled with repair bill after repair bill. no more chevy for me. traded in venture today, at a loss.

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  Better than our Grand Voyager - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Steve Buckwalter - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Ride and handling blow our previous van away. The power sliding door is a nice feature, and I also really like the way the radio stays on even after you turn off the ignition and remove the key (it stays on for up to 10 min or until you open the door). The seating for 8 configuration also allows us more options for carrying passengers and cargo at the same time with our 3 kids in car seats.

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  Better than expected - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By homerkc - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van for my wife, expecting a good vehicle. Its a great van - a nice surprise. It is comfortable, roomy, not too wide on the outside (easy to park!), and economical - for a van. My wife loves it, and I enjoy driving it, too. My only concern is the longer term problem with intake manifold leaks. Is it fixed on the 2004? Time will tell. Still, were happy with it. It s a great value.

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  Venture Adventure - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mel Meyers - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This 2004 Vent is my 2nd Venture. 1999 was the first. Traded at 73K miles I found it to be a secure, dependable mini with economy and reasonably reliable. I used the 99 for both business and pleasure and it performed well. Now 5years later, with Onstar and DVD, and leather we lookforeward to enjoying this one in our real retirement years. It has earned its way.

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  great family vehcle - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By jimbo50 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  Enjoy the carlike handling and smooth ride. Lots of leg room and cargo space. Engine has great performance in town and on the highways. Not at all like driving a bulky van. But has all the features we wanted in that class of vehicle.

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  Great Buy - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By KSCHEVYMV - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I have no regrets about purchasing this vehicle. I paid a lot less than what a Odyssey or Caravan would have cost. Drives great, is reliable and very roomy - especially the trunk. I only wish I had purchased the Warner Bros option package. Great buy for the money.