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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  Great Venture Van - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Matilda - April 5 - 2:00 am

  I like this van very much. Its fun to drive and gets good mpg. Usually around 20 in town and up to 26 highway. I have the eight seating van and it has come in handy more than once although I usually am alone--back and forth to work. Its very comfortable for the driver and front passenger. Middle passengers have mentioned they would like to have armrests. With seats out have gotten 8 dining room chairs in the back!

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  LOTS OF OPTIONS, BUT LACKS DETAIL - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By PRUDGRL - April 5 - 2:00 am

  LOVE MY VAN, BUT GM COULD IMPROVE THE SECOND ROW BY MAKING THE MIDDLE SEAT EASIER TO FLIP FORWARD WITH A LATCH SIMILAR TO THE SIDE SEATS AND BY MAKING THE WINDOWS OPEN IN THE REAR TO WHERE YOU ACTUALLY GET AIR. THE ENGINE START UP SEEMS WEAK. TURNS OVER A LOT THEN FINALLY STARTS. DVD PLAYER SOULD WORK WITH OUT NEEDING THE REMOTE AND SHOULD BE LOCATED IN THE REAR SO THE KIDS CAN INSERT DISC IN STEAD OF THE DRIVER.

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  economical people mover - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Roscoe - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Reliable, 28mpg + hauling my fishing buddies & gear,no breakdowns

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  Fun to Drive - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Indy6 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought car new when Value model first introduced. Best minivan for budget at the time, appreciate no cuts on the standard drive train. Performance and handling are above expectations. I like driving this car. Regular wheelbase model looks sportier than extended models and has smaller turning radius. At 20k to 30k had metal flakes collecting in transmission pressure control solenoid sump which periodically made shifting very rough (fixed under warranty). At 42k needed to replace intake manifold gasket (GM paid half). Currently 44.5k and I am satisfied with this car.

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  My 2001 Venture - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Heavy - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van new in 2001 and have been very pleased with it. I previously had a 96 Plymouth Van and would have to say that the ride in the Venture is far superior. The gas mileage is better as well. I now have 26,000 miles on it and have had no major problems. I did have a couple of minor problems right after I bought it which I and the dealer knew about prior to purchase. The dealer quickly took care of these minor problems. I would have to say that my dealer deserves an A+ rating.

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  Marred by crash test - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Ok overall - March 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a pretty good vehicle overall. Our family loves the VCR entertainment system. It pulls away pleasently from a stop and has pretty good passing power. It is a bit noisier inside then I would like, but I guess its ok. The ride can really thump over some bumps but is very good over smoother roads. The seats are fairly comfortable, but the second row is a little claustrophobic with the cars dark interior and narrow dimensions. The only thing that is truly disappointing is the IIHS crash test rating, which was the poorest they have ever tested. This alone has motivated us to get a new car.

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  Venture - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By HVP - March 18 - 2:00 am

  GOOD RELIABLE MINIVAN WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WHICH WAS FIXED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. OTHERWISE A GOOD CAR.

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  Manifold Gasket Problem - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By FJ - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, excellent features both interior and exterior, but under the hood a nightmare. Nice to hear I am not the only one who experienced an intake manifold gasket problem. Dealer just happened to find, yeah right, the manifold gasket was leaking when I brought the van in for recall on sliding door latch. Van had just over 47,000 miles at the time of repair, which is much too early for this failure. Very expensive to repair, but found an authorized service shop that replaced the gasket more economically than dealerhip. GM will not reimburse for repairs, I think is justified for a poor design. .

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  Good Buy - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By A Good Van - March 13 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Venture after having Twins and it was the best purchase we made. This was our first mini-van, but it has held up to a lot of abuse from family trips. Anytime we go anywhere as a family, we take "the Van". It has been very reliable, except for the bad intake manifold gasket, that should be recalled on a number of GM vehicles (there is a petition online regarding this). We have over 75,000 miles on it with very little complaints.

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  Booooooooring - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jesse Venture - March 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought my ho-hum minivan after my 3rd child was born. Drives like a cargo van, even the frills arent anything great. Brakes needed to be done quickly, full, all four. Built by Chevy as a "throw away", I think, since it was relatively inexpensive and the resale value is next to nothing. Dont expect to resell it once youve owned it and make a profit, if not break even!