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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  Low Mileage Transmission Failure - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Janet - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased my 99 Chevy Venture after much research on the internet and after test driving many different manufacturers minivans. I have been very happy with this vehicle until my transmission abruptly broke. The vehicle only had 40,000 miles and I was advised that this was one of the top of the line transmissions built to last at least 100,000. The only findings were "mechanical breakdown". The repair shop advised that this was probably due to faulty workmanship when the car was put together.

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  Rockin Van - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Erik in Harleysville - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought new. Have been pleased. Our first mini van. What a verstile machine. Bought it specifically over the Dodge and Honda. Drives great, nice looking.

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  Great Value - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Iver - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Great space and the split folding seats make it flexiable for family stuff. Hauling people and the folding table and chairs. Popular SUVs are less spacious (unless huge) and more expensive then (1997) & now.

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  Love My Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By SuperChief - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new, first minivan wife loves the Medium Redfire color. Engine is good for the long haul, many trips at constant 70+ mph, never a whimper transmission a smooth shifter, really good power when you need it. Handles well at all speeds. Has had two recalls on the power door so far, one to fix the door, one to fix the fix. The temp guage says it is overheating and the fans dont seem to come on to combat it, the dealers I have taken it to cant find the cause. Engine takes forever to warm up making the interior cold longer than usual in the winter.

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  Great Van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Cheesehauler - July 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Venture and we will quite likely buy another. TONS of room, great gas milage, huge gas tank. Power sliding door is great and easy to use.

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  Venture is a bargain! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Illinois_Steven - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I narrowed my choices to this vehicle and the Honda. The Honda dealer was arrogant, and let me know that there was absolutely no room to negotiate. The Chevy people were very courteous, and rated about an 8/10. We have enjoyed the Venture, especially some of the features we really didnt expect.

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  Solid Family Fun - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By TKDdad - June 24 - 2:00 am

  After four years and over 50,000 miles with four kids in the family, it is still going strong. We have had no significant problems after the dealership took care of a few nuisance noises. Now the problem is keeping my wife from buying a new one with the video screen for the kids.

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  Good Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Brian McI - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Good allround van. Paint could be a lot better ...too hard and chips TOOOOO easly

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  Great Van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Ryders Van - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Great Van. Kids love and and so do we.

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  Be careful - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By noone - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought the 2000 WB Venture after downsizing from a Chevy Astro. The only reason for getting rid of the Astro was convience of taking sleeping kids out of car seats in the back. Although we love the dual doors, and power driver side door (when it worked), we found ourselves quite frequently back at the dealership for the power sliding door. When the door didnt work, it would open manually either... Make sure you check that van has had the recalls done. I just traded my Venture for An AWD Astro 2002....Good By Venture....