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:
Showing 311 through 320 of 485.00-
Never Again.. - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
By Kowall975 - November 22 - 2:00 amWe bought this car with 7 miles on it and have had nothing but trouble since. All I can say is thank god we bought the extended warrenty. In the last 18 months we have replaced the AC twice. The master locks 3 times, Rear wiper motor fixed, front wiper motors twice. The seals around the doors and windshield. (water gushed in everytime it rained) Also had the Right and left ABS hubs fixed. With that problem came a whole other slew of problems. (ie: Throttle sticking, no brake lights) All in all the engine and ride is great but for a car that is only 2 years old there should not be a bunch a repeat problems. I would not reccomend this veichle to anyone!
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2003 Venture Warner Bros - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
By JerryV - November 17 - 2:00 amSo far the 2003 Venture has been a very reliable and versatile vehicle. It is comfortable on long trips and the gas mileage is averaging around 21 miles per gal. I have used it for trips to the lumber yard to pick up lumber and materials and with all rears seats folding flat is makes it very easy to load.
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cant beat it - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
By mr.STAGE - November 14 - 2:00 amI HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF VANS, BUT THIS VAN HAS OUTDONE THEM ALL,
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Gotta have the Warner Bros option - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
By soccerdad - November 12 - 2:00 amStill not sure how I ended up with an American made vehicle after owning many imports that did not give me any reason to change my ways. The 0% 60 month financing was the back breaker because no import vans offered even close to that back in 2000. The 2-3-2 modular seating is a great feature for our family of 5. We can still get everyone in and have tons of room in back for those long trips. The Warner Brothers video player has performed flawlessly and has made the aforementioned trips a breeze for adults and children. It has been quite hard recently to find a vehicle that has the same amenities while retaining the value that we have in this minivan.
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Chev Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By Lfisher - November 9 - 2:00 amThe vehicle is well constructed,response well to commands. Gas milage is average. Number of options avalable makes is worth investigating all. Fie vehicle, passenger comfort excellent.
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WB 2000 Blue, Great Seats - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
By Venture_Owner_2000_B - October 31 - 2:00 amA great Minivan, Great Features and good finish in and out. No Problems yet, besides the Power Slider (someone tried to close it as it was power closing, should have warning label!!)
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Its Worth It - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
By big "T" - October 29 - 2:00 amI bought my "certified used venture" in March of 2001 with 56,000 miles on it. I love the car, but must insist that the cheap plastic parts cause me some problems from time to time. Both of my headlight lenses fell off - each was $300 or so to replace. Also had problems twice with the passenger side sliding door - thankfully under warranty. The car now has 97,000 miles on it, and we put on about 20- 25,000 every year travelling and camping. Couldnt ask for a better camping companion.
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Overall a very nice van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
By Laban Cabrera - October 28 - 2:00 amOverall the 2001 Venture has been a pleasure to drive and has been very reliable. The car handles well in all conditions including rain and heavy snow. The interior of the car is a bit flimsy.
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Great van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
By copo - October 26 - 1:00 amThis van drives like a car. Out of the other vans I drove this van gives more bang for the buck. It has good power,yet good gas mileage. I got the Warner Brother package for only $22,400.
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Unhappy Owner - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
By tonylaura - October 23 - 2:00 amVery poor quality. Always something going wrong. Constant SES light. Air bag light intermittent. Rear wiper intermittent. Replaced many parts.
