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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  my first van - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By NotSatisfied - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My family is very disappointed by this van. We have many problems right after the standard warranty expired. starter stoped working, fuel level indicator failed, etc. MPG grandually deterioted to less than 18 even on highway. Recently the engine became to have problems too. We are ready for a trade- in anytime.

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  Great Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By dclamberton - December 9 - 2:00 am

  It was time to buy a family wagon when my wife and I had our second child and the Venture was our choice. The engine has good acceleration, the ride is quiet and smooth, and its easy to park. The fold flat rear seat and, power sliding side door are useful when loading. I like the air pump and auto leveling suspension as well as all the other convenience features. Its just an all around great van, we love it.

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  Ill drive this car til it falls apart! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By jjones - December 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new and have never questioned our decision once. We love it in every way possible. The integrated car seats have been wonderful with our four kids. I want this to be the car my 8 year old learns to drive in! And the grill doesnt bother me at all!

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  Good, but in the shop a lot - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By SFOBPH - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought it because the price was right. I dont regret it, but it has been in the shop too often. Most fit and finish problems, but there was one serious engine problem.

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  Vanessa - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dragon - November 26 - 2:00 am

  This was our first mini-van and it turned out to be great for our needs. We traveled all over USA, the seats came out for cargo, rode comfortably, the V-6 was powerful enough and never gave us any trouble until it hit 75,000 miles (had to replace a couple fuel injectors and battery.) We liked it so much, we bought another one in 2002, this time an LS ext. with 4 doors....but we are keeping the 1998 Venture until our kids need a "newer" car.

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  A Venture Review - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mcfrdmn - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Standard Driving for a basic van No more No less

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  Ventured Trany - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By GWERBI - November 25 - 2:00 am

  My Transmission is going, going, gone. GM once made one of the best transmissions going. But now thats a thing of the past.

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  LS Venture 99 with 180000 miles - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Juan Rodriguez - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I bough my Chevrolet Venture on 08/01/1999 with 79 miles. I am driving 300 miles on Florida highway every day. I had to change the engine oil and filter every 5000 miles transmission oil and filter every 60,000 miles tune-up and O2 sensor at 110,000 miles. My Venture has 180,000 miles now and the engine still is very quiet. It is making 26 MPG on Highway and 19 MPG on city. Let see if it can make 300,000 miles with original engine and transmission. This is a true history.

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  Warner Bros. Chevy Venture - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Manx Cats - November 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Venture that we have purchased. The first was in 1996. We purchased the Venture again due to the exceptional performance that we had with our first car. Not problem over all the years that we had the van. The new van is just like the old one as far as reliability so far and the two issues that we had with the first ( lighted mirrors and horn honking when car locked) were corrected on the newer model. We are very pleased with this car.

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  Very Versatile - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Young Student - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I am a college student, and I find the van very accommodating to my needs. I live 300 miles away from home, so long trips back are always emminent. The van is very comfortable to my long ventures and allows me many options. I can remove many seats and haul with the capabilities of a pick up truck, but get the gas milege of a full size car. Im also getting the height that I wanted from a SUV, but dont have to worry about the costly repairs 4 wheel drives require. I also can haul people that no other vehicle can compare to. I have had 9 prior cars trying to find the "perfect vehicle", and even though nothing is perfect, this is very close!!