The new models are immediately distinguished from their predecessors
by their conventional good looks. The Dustbuster nose that made parking
difficult and created acres of dusty dashboard has been trimmed to manageable
proportions. The plastic body has been converted to less-expensive steel.
And fresh colors modernize the look.
The Chevolet Venture (the minivan formerly known as Lumina) and its
Oldsmobile and Pontiac siblings (still known by their former names) are
quite similar in exterior appearance. The Venture sports a big chrome grille.
The Trans Sport and Silhouette have more modest front ends, with twin dark
grille openings flanking the appropriate badge.
Buyers looking for something a little different should take a look at
the Trans Sport Montana. Intended to attract folks who need a minivan but
wish they could buy a sport-utility, the Montana has SUV styling cues such
as two-tone paint with lower body cladding, foglights and brawny front
bumpers. Its exclusive sport suspension, with stiffer springs and larger
self-leveling air shocks improves handling, but the Montana lacks the four-wheel-drive
and higher ground clearance of a real SUV.
All the minivans come in short- and long-wheelbase versions. The overall
lengths are similar to the comparable Chrysler minivans, but the GM models
are almost five inches narrower, and are easier to enter or exit in a garage
or tight parking space. Step-in height is comfortably low.
The four-door long-wheelbase Venture LS we tested had a second sliding
door behind the driver's door for convenient loading of goods or passengers.
(Dual doors won't be available until later this year on short-wheelbase
models.) An even greater convenience is a feature exclusive to GM so far:
a power sliding door on the passenger side ($350) that kids love and we
found quite handy.
The door can be activated with the remote keyfob or buttons located
above the driver's head or behind the front passenger seat. (The rear button
locks out when the car is in gear.)
The power door is supposed to stop and reverse directions if it bumps
into an obstacle. When we stuck in an arm to test it, the door squeezed
rather hard before reversing. It moves slowly, however, and chirps as it
closes. The power door can be closed manually, but requires a heavy yank
to get going.
One more nice idea: a coating on the windshield keeps the interior cooler
and functions as a radio antenna, cutting down on antenna-associated wind
noise and car wash damage.
The Venture features a pleasant, open interior with simple, easy-to-reach
controls. The list of standard features is commendable: air conditioning,
power locks and mirrors, tilt wheel, and an overhead console.
Storage is plentiful with a big glovebox and up to 26 compartments,
according to Chevrolet. A cargo net stretches between the two front seats
on the LS model to store purses, phones and other stray objects. Less clever
are the hard-to-reach cupholders that fold down from the sides of the front
seats.
The modular seats make it easy to rearrange space in the rear. Seven-passenger
seating is standard, and available in split or solid benches or bucket
seats. Single or dual integrated child safety seats ($125-$250) are available.
The second and third rows are raised slightly to give passengers a better
view. The seat bottoms are relatively low, though, which will force some
adults' knees uncomfortably high.
Seatbacks on the bucket seats flip down to provide a flat surface, or
the whole seat can be folded up to make space for a big box and at 38 pounds,
the seats can be removed by one person. Those who want leather seats or
dual captain's chairs for the second row will need to shop an Olds or Pontiac
store.
The wide pass-through makes transit between the front and the back easy,
while numerous features make life in the back comfortable. High on any
teenager's list would be the dual-jack rear audio controls that are optional
on the Venture LS ($110). Back-seat passengers can listen to a tape or
CD ($200) over headphones while front-seat passengers listen to the radio
(or vice versa). Rear vents and climate controls will cut down on temperature
complaints.
Cargo space is plentiful; maximum capacity is only 13 cubic feet less
than Chrysler minivans despite the Venture's narrower width. Behind the
third row of seats, the Venture has more space than the Chrysler. The LS
has a net across the rear opening and two netted compartments at the sides
of the rear cargo area to keep gallons of milk and tool kits from skidding.
The one annoyance is a ridge across the floor at the rear that forces you
to lift heavy objects out rather than slide them.
Some buyers may have questions after viewing the last-place showing
of the Pontiac Trans Sport in an insurance-industry-sponsored 40-mph frontal
offset crash test. Federal standards--which all U.S. vehicles meet--regulate
performance only in head-on and side impacts.
Buyers should note that of the nine vans tested, only the Ford Windstar
received a Good rating, so the issue involves more than just the GM minivans.
Carmakers point out that there are no Federal standards for offset collisions,
that the test was conducted at a much greater speed than any Federal test,
that offset crashes constitute only a small proportion of all accidents,
and that minivans in general have an excellent real-world safety record.
Overall, the Venture provides a relaxing driving environment, thanks
to its quiet interior, car-like ride and handling, and robust engine, a
180-horsepower 3.4-liter V6 that is more powerful than the standard engines
of its competitors. The V6 provides plenty of start-up oomph and passing
power at cruising speed. It is paired with a smooth-shifting four-speed
automatic transmission. The firm, accurate steering saves the driver from
constant corrections at higher speeds.
The model we tested was equipped with the optional touring suspension
with automatic load leveling in the rear ($180). In general, the handling
was responsive and controlled. The ride tended to the firm side, but with
little body roll. The standard suspension would have less harshness but
more roll.
Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard, and traction control ($175)
can provide extra security.