What Is It?
2005 Chevrolet Uplander
What's Special About It?
Chevrolet's Venture minivan has never sold in the numbers General Motors would like — the offerings from Dodge, Ford and Honda have outsold it for several years running. Part of the problem, according to GM's marketing team, might be due to the "mommymobile" image minivans confer upon their owners — some of whom ultimately ditch their vans for SUVs. In response, the Venture will become the more rugged-sounding Uplander (a somewhat awkward name, but "Highlander," "Outlander" and "Freelander" were already taken) and take on a taller stance and chunkier front fascia more evocative of a truck. A prominent bowtie badge identifies it as the Chevy offering, but there's no question that it looks a lot like the Saturn Relay.
Despite the change in name and outward style, the Uplander does not represent a full redesign of the Venture — passenger and cargo space are nearly identical. It does, however, incorporate more of the features that today's minivan buyers are looking for, along with a more powerful engine. Additionally, structural upgrades, including a longer, reinforced front end and a stiffer occupant compartment, should improve the van's crashworthiness — a good thing because the Venture fared poorly in IIHS' frontal offset crash testing. Seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants are optional, but head curtain airbags are still nowhere to be found.
Inside, the Uplander seats seven, and the fold-flat third-row seat now offers a 50/50 split, allowing families to carry a mix of passengers and cargo. A two-tone color scheme with faux metal accents dramatically brightens the atmosphere of the van. The Uplander should also be a more practical place to spend time, as Chevrolet has taken Honda's example and installed folding center trays (with cupholders) between the first- and second-row captain's chairs. An overhead rail system provides rear-seat access to climate and entertainment functions and can be customized to families' liking with various storage containers. In addition to the usual rear DVD entertainment system, midway through the 2005 model year, the Uplander will be available with a PhatNoise mobile digital media system that allows owners to store thousands of MP3s and/or several dozen movies. Another convenient option is a 115-volt household outlet for all manner of Game Cubes and portable stoves. For those who require easier access to the van, Chevrolet will offer a dealer-installed Sit-N-Lift seat that lowers and rotates to ground level; unlike other mobility retrofits, this one is fully backed by the factory warranty.
For power, the Uplander will offer a 200-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 as the one and only engine choice. We've experienced this engine in the 2004 Malibu, and although it should be a welcome upgrade from the overworked 3.4-liter motor, don't expect to keep up with Honda Odyssey drivers. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard, and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, and the StabiliTrak stability control system is a new option.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although we're encouraged by the Uplander's more attractive and functional interior, not to mention its improved crashworthiness, the fact remains that Chevrolet is barely keeping up in the minivan race (PhatNoise system excepted). These days, side curtain airbags are basically a requirement for all-new models, and the Uplander doesn't have them. Nor does it have an independent rear suspension to deliver the kind of ride refinement buyers expect. And its V6 engine still isn't up to par. As a result, this basically good van will continue to be passed over in favor of better-equipped imports. — Erin Riches
2005 Chevrolet Uplander
What's Special About It?
Chevrolet's Venture minivan has never sold in the numbers General Motors would like — the offerings from Dodge, Ford and Honda have outsold it for several years running. Part of the problem, according to GM's marketing team, might be due to the "mommymobile" image minivans confer upon their owners — some of whom ultimately ditch their vans for SUVs. In response, the Venture will become the more rugged-sounding Uplander (a somewhat awkward name, but "Highlander," "Outlander" and "Freelander" were already taken) and take on a taller stance and chunkier front fascia more evocative of a truck. A prominent bowtie badge identifies it as the Chevy offering, but there's no question that it looks a lot like the Saturn Relay.
Despite the change in name and outward style, the Uplander does not represent a full redesign of the Venture — passenger and cargo space are nearly identical. It does, however, incorporate more of the features that today's minivan buyers are looking for, along with a more powerful engine. Additionally, structural upgrades, including a longer, reinforced front end and a stiffer occupant compartment, should improve the van's crashworthiness — a good thing because the Venture fared poorly in IIHS' frontal offset crash testing. Seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants are optional, but head curtain airbags are still nowhere to be found.
Inside, the Uplander seats seven, and the fold-flat third-row seat now offers a 50/50 split, allowing families to carry a mix of passengers and cargo. A two-tone color scheme with faux metal accents dramatically brightens the atmosphere of the van. The Uplander should also be a more practical place to spend time, as Chevrolet has taken Honda's example and installed folding center trays (with cupholders) between the first- and second-row captain's chairs. An overhead rail system provides rear-seat access to climate and entertainment functions and can be customized to families' liking with various storage containers. In addition to the usual rear DVD entertainment system, midway through the 2005 model year, the Uplander will be available with a PhatNoise mobile digital media system that allows owners to store thousands of MP3s and/or several dozen movies. Another convenient option is a 115-volt household outlet for all manner of Game Cubes and portable stoves. For those who require easier access to the van, Chevrolet will offer a dealer-installed Sit-N-Lift seat that lowers and rotates to ground level; unlike other mobility retrofits, this one is fully backed by the factory warranty.
For power, the Uplander will offer a 200-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 as the one and only engine choice. We've experienced this engine in the 2004 Malibu, and although it should be a welcome upgrade from the overworked 3.4-liter motor, don't expect to keep up with Honda Odyssey drivers. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard, and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, and the StabiliTrak stability control system is a new option.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Although we're encouraged by the Uplander's more attractive and functional interior, not to mention its improved crashworthiness, the fact remains that Chevrolet is barely keeping up in the minivan race (PhatNoise system excepted). These days, side curtain airbags are basically a requirement for all-new models, and the Uplander doesn't have them. Nor does it have an independent rear suspension to deliver the kind of ride refinement buyers expect. And its V6 engine still isn't up to par. As a result, this basically good van will continue to be passed over in favor of better-equipped imports. — Erin Riches
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