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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  Its a venture! - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Grammy - January 28 - 2:00 am

  We find this a great vehicle for traveling, which we do a lot of. Has some rattles in dash and headliner feels a little loose.

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  Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By wanda - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have had Chevy Venture for 8 mo. love how it handles. good gas mileage. thanks

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  LOVE IT!!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By FAMILYTIME!!! - January 17 - 2:00 am

  WE ARE A FAMILY OF FIVE. THREE CHILDREN IN CARSEATS. I LOVE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THREE FULL SIZE SEATS IN THE MIDDLE ROW, SO ALL MY KIDDIES CAN BE WITHIN ARMS REACH. ALSO THAT WE CAN FIT THREE EXTRA FRIENDS IN THE REAR ROW. LIFE IS A PARTY, WHY NOT BRING YOURS ALL OVER WITH YOU?????

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  Great van - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By fischam - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had this van for almost 4 years now and so far so good at 45K, Drives great and is very comfortable on long trips. Excellant gas mileage around town and hwy with plenty of power. I did alot of research back in 1999 on this and other minivans by cruising thru message boards and feedback sites and found the Venture to have the least complaints. My research has paid off.

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  DONT WANT ANOTHER ONE - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By BUD - January 10 - 2:00 am

  POOR HANDLING QUALITIES ON THE ROAD. THIS IS MY SECOND VENTURE, HAD SAME PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS ON THE 2001. ALOT OF ACCESORIES THAT WERE STANDARD ON THE 2001 ARE MISSING ON THE 2003. AMAGINE A 30000.OO AUTO AND NO GLOVE COMPARTMENT LITE. MILEAGE ON THE VAN IS WAY BELOW EXPECTATIONS.

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  Nice little mini-bus - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daddylope - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Much quieter ride than my Chrysler Mini- Van. I drove it from coast to coast and experienced no problems great fuel economy. Definitely like the load leveling suspension when loaded down.

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  Chevy Venture - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By G M - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe wqhat a great car this is...Hard to believe its a Chevy! Tip of the hat to General Motors.

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  not too bad - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By rob jones - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I have only had my van for 3 months now and so far I like it. My kids complain that there are no arm rest on the middle row seats, but other than that, it seems to be a nice van. I did have a key go bad on me on the second day I had it. I was lucky enough to have a spare. The car wont start if it doesnt like the key. I had a Pontiac Transport before this one which had steering wheel controls for the radio. I miss that in this one. I hope to get at least 100,000 miles out of this before I have any major problems....I hope.

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  mixed feelings - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By volson71 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought the van 2 1/2 weeks before making a 2000 mile trip 3 days after purchasing, had a problem with the fuel injector, which ended up needing to be replaced. On our trip, the driver side sun visor fell out and needed to be replaced when we returned. Fairly comfortable in the back seats (we have the captains chairs in the middle row), especially with the leather interior. Not crazy about the way it handles, feels like youre tipping when going around corners. Ride is not very smooth, especially going up hills. Brakes seem rough, especially in icy conditions. Handles well on snow, however.

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  Bad Design on Intake Manifold Gaskets - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Manifold Gasket Flaw - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Yeah, I too have been taken to the dealership cleaners on the Intake Manifold gaskets. At 51,000 miles, a "new" kit was required. Very expensive for such low mileage. GM should reimburse at least part of the cost. I am not a satisfied GM person now. Will not buy another Venture or GM van in general.