2002 Chevrolet Astro: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Also sold as the GMC Safari, Astro comes in one body length with a passenger-side sliding door. It's offered in LS and LT trim, both with 8-passenger seating: two front buckets, two 3-place rear benches; 2nd-row buckets are optional. Astro offers a choice of side-by-side rear cargo doors or Dutch doors with separate-opening glass. There is also a 2-seat Cargo Van. The only powertrain is a V6 and automatic transmission featuring a Tow/Haul mode, with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Antilock brakes are standard; traction control and side airbags are unavailable. Cargo models offer remote keyless entry and a rear heater for 2002.

COMPETITION

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that the new Dodge Caravan is still one of the best minivans you can buy. It offers 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 Dodge, 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 Toyota Sienna. Though these vans are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, we feel they can't match the road manners of our two Best Buys. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they are mechanically similar to the class-leading Caravan, they don't offer the breadth of model choices.