Chevy Venture

Chevy Venture Models

Chevy Venture is available in two different wheelbase lengths. And it comes in four different trim levels. The most basic Value Van is built only on the standard 112-inch wheelbase, but still provides nominal seating for seven. The Value Van also provides a reasonable level of standard equipment, including V6 power, air conditioning, side-impact air bags, dual sliding doors, tilt steering column, anti-lock brakes, and dual sliding doors.

The next two levels, Plus and LS, are available with either the standard or the extended (120-inch) wheelbase. Each adds another layer of interior amenities. At the Plus level, the Venture can be ordered with a power sliding door on the passenger side; LS can be ordered with one or both doors powered.

The LT, built only on the long wheelbase, ups the interior ante even further with second-row captain's chairs and separate front and rear air conditioners, plus mechanical refinements including traction control and a touring suspension with automatic load leveling.

The most expensive Venture is the Warner Bros. Edition, which reverts to LS trim but adds a video player and separate front and rear audio controls, all to amuse the kids on long family drives. The Warner Bros. Edition comes with VentureTainment, a special package of owner benefits mostly aimed at family entertainment. The Warner Bros. Edition comes only on the longer wheelbase. It comes with a power-operated curb-side sliding door. Power for the driver's-side sliding door is available as an option.

LS, LT and Warner Ventures come standard with the OnStar communications system. Also new this year is a rear parking aid, an ultrasonic gadget that detects objects behind the van but too low for the driver to see. Besides offering a warning about that little red wagon in the driveway, it comes in handy when parallel parking or when backing up to a wall. Rear parking aid is standard on LT and optional on extended LS and Warner Bros.

Just one engine is offered, a 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter overhead-valve V6. It drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. There is no all-wheel-drive option, although traction control is standard on LT and offered on LS and Warner Bros.

Driving the Chevy Venture

The drivetrain of the Venture shines in being nearly invisible. It's isolated, and offers good response in traffic, even though the Chevy is less powerful than the Ford or Honda minivans. You can hear a distant growl from the engine, a pleasant muted sound that appeals to the closet hot-rodder in some of us.

The traction control system, which came standard on our LT, engaged under hard acceleration. You are reminded constantly that this is a front-wheel-drive vehicle, especially when there is a lot of weight in the back, like a motorcycle, for example. The front wheels spin easily, and in corners this feels like small tugs on the steering wheel.

The load leveling system compensated for the extra weight of the motorcycle, so our headlights weren't pointed to the stars. Nor did our Venture wallow or lean excessively during quick maneuvering through downtown Chicago.

The brake pedal of the Venture feels more spongy than in Chevy's sedans. The anti-lock brake system engaged smoothly and without drama on loose surfaces.

The touring suspension, standard on LT and optional on LS and the Warner Bros. Edition, makes the Venture a good highway cruiser. It does hop around a bit on bumpy metro surfaces, but you won't notice this if you do most of your driving on well-paved suburban roads. We also drove Ventures with the standard "smooth ride" suspension, and did not see a big difference.