2000 Chevrolet Venture: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Chevrolet's front-wheel-drive minivan loses its 3-door body for 2000, but adds a video-equipped model. Venture offers its regular-length body in Value, Plus, and LS trim and its extended-length body in Plus, LS, LT and new Warner Bros. Edition form. The Warner Bros. model has unique cloth/leather upholstery and a rear-seat entertainment package that includes a video player, ceiling-mounted TV monitor, and an audio system with separate second- and third-row headphone jacks. Venture shares its design with the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana, though only Chevy offers a cargo model.
All Ventures have dual sliding side doors. A power right-side door is standard for LT and is optional on other models except the Value. Seating for seven is standard. LT and LS are eligible for an 8-passenger setup. Front side airbags are standard. A child safety seat built into the second-row bench is standard on the Warner Bros. and optional on other Ventures except the Value. A pair of integrated second-row child seats is optional on all but the Value.
The sole powerteam is an automatic transmission and a 3.4-liter V6 with 5 more horsepower this year. Traction control is newly standard on the LT model and remains optional on other Ventures except the Value and Plus.

COMPETITION

Chrysler started the minivan trend back in 1984, and they remain one of our Best Buys today. Though the competition has heated up, we still feel that the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager are two of the best you can buy. They offer all of the creature comforts in a pleasing package at a fair price. Our other Best Buy is the Honda Odyssey. It's a little bit smaller than the Chryslers, but more sporty to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat.
Trailing at a close second are the Recommended Chevy Venture and Ford Windstar. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our Best Buys.