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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  buy it - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By saidpour - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a good family car as well as load capacity. reliability is great since purchased a year and a half ago 23000 miles done and no problem just oil changed.

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  I am getting chevy cars anymore - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By LAdude - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is not that reliable. It broke down in four months. Six month later, I found the cars temperature gauge went all the up. My mechanic found that the coolant system was OK, yet the temperature gauge showed overheating (until now). Last year, the engine started to "cough" and the car shake. Also last year, I started my car, and the engine was racing like when the gas pedal is hit hard, the engine idle control went out. I have only 35,000 miles on that minivan, and three months ago, I had to replace the transmission. Last month, my car started leaking a lot of oil, and I already have it fixed. Next year I’m getting Honda Odyssey.

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  99 CHEVY VENTURE - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By PLAYPEN95 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  OUR CHEVY VENTURE IS WONDERFUL!!! it is a very comfortable ride. the children even love the van. they think its so cool with the sliding door, cd player,the seperate seating instead of one big all together seating, they seem to have more room. we have had a plymouth van in the past and it does not compare to the venture!! there has not been anything we have not love about the van as of yet. if you want a fully loaded minivan and the comfort of sitting home on your sofa, and a great, reliable van then the chevy venture is the one for you!!! hope you all enjoy your ride as much as we do.

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  Total Rear End Collision - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By crash dummy - January 11 - 2:00 am

  We loved our Chevy Venture EXT. van..that is until we were hit in a rear end collision!!! What should have been minor damage, totaled our van and caused injury to our family. The body shop man expressed to me, knowing we would be in the market for a new vehicle, DONT BUY A VENTURE!!! He has more Ventures in for minor repairs that turn out to be major headaches for the owners. I have spoke to some other Body shops and have been told the same thing. Our van died of its injuries, that is ok..I just dont want anyone to die of their injuries from a collision in the Venture.

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  First 500 miles - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Twocoast - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 99 at the end of 2002. So far so good, I see reviews of a gasket problem and hope that is an anomoly.

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  Solid Venture - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By markusnow - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Only standard maintenance items ever needed so far. Very reliable in our experience.

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  I Love my MV!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By MURO - December 28 - 2:00 am

  The Venture rules!! I love this MV. I have test driven every van out there, and nothing handles or drives like the Venture. This van is tops for comfort, room, style, and power. As for reliability, my 1998 Venture has just hit the 79k mile mark, and the only repair has been a the replacement of the water pump. The only thing more reliable in life is my loving wife . . . get this van!!!!!

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  Chevy Venture - great 2nd car! - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By jeeplover - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Extended cab gives owner the ability to drive and have lots of space. Good and reliable. Good inner space and has few maintenance problems. Mine has 86K miles and has been no trouble. Front wheel drive requires a slower than normal start - no kicking this into 0- 60 in 6 seconds!! People confuse that issue for trans problems.

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  nice van - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By leowes - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van used for my wife and children. Overall I am impressed with it. Being a mechanic, I look for quality and longevity along with value. The powertrain is very reliable, and maintenance is inexpensive. I have seen several of these vans in my shop and all have just been in for maintence and brakes. I cannot say the same for chrysler or ford products which seem to have weak powertrains. The acceleration is great, and handling is that of a car and not like a truck. I highly recommend this van.

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  Nice Van - Very Frustrated Mechanically - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By patjoja - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van new and have loved everything about it until I hit 60,000 miles. Simultaneously, the transmission had to be rebuilt, then the intake manifold gaskets were found to be leaking internally and externally. Fortunately the gasket problem was found soon enough so no major problems were caused by coolent in the oil. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE and the fix is not cheap. However the dealer is fixing it at no cost to me. GM knows this is a major problem and should issue a recall in my opinion.