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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  never a venture again - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By neverventureagain - April 28 - 2:00 am

  bought in Jan 2001 with 67k miles. have grown to hate it quickly. the power sliding door had 2 recalls and still doesnt work right. Now have a recall for steering. Dexcool turns to mud, and the dealer will flush it out for nearly 400.00. now, with 97,000 miles on it,we have a new transmission. Dexcool turned to mud again. Jiffy Lube flushed it 5 times to and would not put dexcool in. They insisted on standard green anti-freeze. it works. had to replace both headlamps. seems the covers are known to fall off after so many years. had to replace both rear signal units. condensation got in and shorted them out. This thing is a money draining nightmare.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By VentureFan - April 26 - 2:00 am

  We couldnt be happier with our venture. It gets great gas mileage for such a big vehicle. 27 hwy/21 city. It rides like a car and the kids love watching videos in it. It makes the long trips with 2 boys very pleasurable.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By bisugreen - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Poor quality. My last minivan was a Lumina APV. Quality has gone down with the Venture. We had numerous problems with the windows - scratching sounds and grease from inside door. Numerous trips to dealer to get fixed. Several problems with dash lights like air bag, ABS, Check Engine. Cup holders on floor are flimsy. Rear hatch plastic handle broke. Replaced brakes just after warrenty expired. Replaced manifold gasket. Mechanic said this was very common. Dealer was nice enough to cover the cost of the manifold gasket even though we were past the warrenty. The change engine oil light is very tricky to reset.

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  First Van - So far its been Good Choice - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By rjk from SF Bay - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Compared everything & narrowed down to this & Honda. The Chevy WB edition had much better bang for the buck. Only complaint is a squeaky door we never had with Honda or Nissan products. Still happy about our choice.

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  Youll have to steal it from me... - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By pandama - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased brand new because husband had GM supplier discount. Would have picked another vehicle, but am so happy that I was "forced" to buy the Venture. After 90,000+ miles in 5 years of driving, theres been nothing significant to complain of. My 90 Dodge Caravan caused me nothing but megabucks to replace the tranny 3 times! Ill drive it til it drops!

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  injector problems - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By problem child - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with the fuel injectors on this van...i think it is a production problem with this!!!!!

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  Pretty good as minivans go - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By jht - April 16 - 2:00 am

  We replaced an Olds Bravada with this Venture, so the bar was set a little high for features. So far its a very comfortable ride, easy to drive, with one minor problem to date (a left headlight that holds moisture) thats being addressed as I write this. Storage is excellent overall, especially in the vans rear. I miss OnStar, but it wasnt available on this trim level. Mine is the 7-seat version with leather and captains chairs.

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  Happy w/ 99 Venture - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By jmp1970 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  We love our Venture. We have had it almost a year, purchased new. We previously had Caravan and had an Odyssey for about 1 yr and had major problems that I was told were normal, NOT! I would buy another Venture when the time comes.

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  2000 Venture extended LS - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By iamtefkam55 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has always provided safe and reliable transportation. The ride is very solid, the acceleration is more than adequate. The van has plenty of useful space for a family of four.

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  THIS VAN SUCKS - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By CHILLER - April 8 - 2:00 am

  THIS VENTURE SUCK ITS THE FULLY EQUIPED VAN AND EVERYTHING IS NOT WORKING. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE, THE WINDOWS GET STUCK THE REAR PARKING AID DOES NOT WORK THE DVD SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK THE POWER SLIDING DOORS DOESNT WORK ITS HAS ONLY HALF LEATHER HAVE CLOTH SEATS CHEAP LOOKING DASHBOARD AND UGLY 16 WHEELS YOU GET RIPED OF BECAUSE MINE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 13 TIMES AND IT IS GOING BACK CAUSE ITS DOESNT EVEN TURN ON. WHATS THE USE OF HAVING A FULLY EQUIPED CAR IF NOTHING WORKS!!!