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:

• 

  Worst Vehicle I ever purchased - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By John1111 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  They forgot to give us all the little extra like the netting for the back. We found stains on the chairs.

• 

  Best minivan on the road - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Andrew Tourneur - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Comfterable ride, smooth driving, excelent reaction time, good handleing in the summer and winter (depending on tire) including traction features.

• 

  great van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By doom - October 16 - 2:00 am

  very fun to drive, has much better ride than the dodge or ford mini vans.

• 

  Love It!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Anna - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had my van for 3 years now, and my husband wants me to trade it in for a new sporty SUV. I cant-I have not found anything that compares to my van. I prefer the van to the SUVs. The van has everything I would want in an SUV (except the 4-wheel drive) for half of the price.

• 

  LOVE OUR WARNER BROS VENTURE - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By WB Mama - October 5 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Warner Bros Venture new, and after more than 2 years of driving it, we continue to love it. I have become very possessive of my WB and wont even let my husband drive it because its "my car." That doesnt bother my husband much anyway, because hed rather sit in the back and watch movies with my son than drive. The car is great for long trips the kids and hubby just sit in the back and stay happy watching movies or listening to CDs. That leaves me the peace I need to drive. A wonderful family car!!! Have had to return the car twice for recalls about the passenger sliding door, but it appears to be working well now.

• 

  What a lemon - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By dadall1 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had nothing but expensive problems with this van ever since the warranty ran out at 36K miles (coincidence?). The service engine light was on for well over a year while my garage tried to find the cause. I paid for everything from new spark plugs/cables to an oxygen sensor to an ignition control switch (just to name a few things) while they performed exploratory surgery on my van and now at just over 73K miles, they are telling me the transmission is kaput. No wonder Fords motto is "Quality is job 1" because its obviously NOT GMs.

• 

  Completle Satisfied - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Nasir Awan - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Best value for the Money, in this compatitive market place.Chevrolet service dealer net work is awesome. warranty is good,Roadside assistance always comes handy espacially when you lock your key in the van.My nexy vehicle will be 2002 model.

• 

  1999 Chevrolet Venture - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kurtl042 - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Very versatile. I can take the seats out and haul logs, concrete, plywood, furniture, or major appliances with ease. Good gas mileage.

• 

  Great Minivan with lots for goodies - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Farheen - September 19 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this WB edition specially for our kids, and long drives and commutes. Lots of room, and 8 people can sit without any problem. Fuel consumption is good, and we are getting 18/26 as per books. Engine is fine, but need more power, as some time feel that this big box is not moving. There is no RPM gauge in Venture, but in other sibling (Montana) its there..over all great buy, saved over 7000 on msrp.

• 

  A great van - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By gough_1200 - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive, performs very well. I have owned and driven two other models of vans, this one takes the cake. Doesnt seem like your driving a "van". Comfortable and reliable. No mechanical problems. Did have to replace brake shoes twice.