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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  Worthy of Consideration - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By paulc - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Too bad to hear of some peoples problems with this van. Weve had ours almost a year now and over 8K miles with no problems at all. We are happy with its performance and features, very smooth with great handling.Great gas mileage, not the most powerful 6 cyl. mini-van engine available but good enough.

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  great minivan - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By dandaman313 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a great minivan. I have owned 2 other minivans and this is the best one by far. I have 4 children, and they are always comfortable.

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  Purchased in Vermont - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Judy - March 28 - 2:00 am

  We traded in a 97 Ford Expedition and I was expecting a drop in performance with the AWD vs. 4WD. My 2nd day with the Venture I got caught in an ice storm. It handles so much better than our Expedition that I am in shock. It even has more interior room than the Ford. Tri-mode audio is a God-send for our family and the remote sliding door helps at school dropoffs and on shopping trips with arms full of packages--no need to fish for keys. Most enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Chevy Venture - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By cepressler - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This van is great. It is comfortable. Easy to get in and out of. Plenty of space for a family

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  Excellent Purchase - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Aqua Man - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Great van! Best new vehicle purchase I have ever made. Convenient functions and great view of road.

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  Wife doesnt want to trade it in..... - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By wtm - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We liked it so well we are trading it in on a 2002. Very versatile for my scoccer mom wife..... Really liked the versatility of modular seats. On long road trips we would fold the driver side middle seat down (folding the back down makes the back completely flat) and strap on a TV/VCR for the kids and head down the road. Mom & I would plug in the headphones and listen to books on tape. Worked great!! Only problem that we ever had in four years was that the power sliding door got out of sync once. The dealer unplugged the power and pluged it back in to re-set (no charge)..... and we were on our way.

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  Great vehicle for the money - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Grodrig3 - March 18 - 2:50 pm

  Excellent vehicle for the price. It comes fully loaded and the DVD player/Sound system with the wireless headphones is awesome. It keeps the kids entertained on longer trips.

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  Lemon 2x - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By JPPP - March 18 - 2:31 pm

  First had a 2000 bad trans - lemon lawed it Currently my 5 month old 2002 Venture is in the shop for trans problems

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  Biggest piece of crap on the road - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By quag - March 16 - 5:20 pm

  This car was junk nothing more to say

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  First American Auto Experience - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By sgrobbo - March 15 - 6:56 pm

  With a new family, we felt it important to get a minivan. Got a great deal on a Venture. My wife and I have never owned an American vehicle, and frankly are not used to the # of times weve had to take it in for non-scheduled service. So far, weve had 3 recalled parts, a faulty fuel gauge, and several build-quality issues with accecories (window latches, lighter outlet, etc.) Though it drives nicely, Im growing weary of seeing the service dept (though they have been wonderful). If problems continue, a trade-in for a Siena or Honda is imminent....