2003 Chevrolet Astro Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Upgraded brakes and revised pricing are the main 2003 changes for this elderly minivan. Also sold as the GMC Safari, Astro comes in one body length with passenger-side sliding door, plus 4.3-liter V6, automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, and rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. For 2003, base-trim models are reduced in price, and some items in the uplevel LS and LT packages become stand-alone options. All models seat eight on two front buckets and two 3-place rear benches; 2nd-row buckets are optional. Available are side-by-side rear cargo doors or extra-cost Dutch doors with separate-opening upper glass. Astro also comes as a 2-seat Cargo Van. Antilock brakes are standard, but now include 4-wheel discs in place of the previous disc/drum setup. Traction control and side airbags are unavailable. All Astros go from 15- to 16-inch wheels, with standard alloys for LS and LT, and interiors get smoother trim surfaces with energy-absorbent backing designed to reduce head injuries. Astro and Safari are America's only truck-based minivans, with a basic design that dates from the late 1980s.

Competition

Though the competition has heated up, we feel that 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 Honda Odyssey. It's sportier to drive, and it has a super-convenient flip-and-fold-away rear seat, but the ride can grow harsh at times.

Recommended Chevy Venture and Toyota Sienna are comparably priced and offer loads of neat features, but they can't match the road manners of our Best Buys. Mazda MPV makes it to the Recommended list this year as a reliable family hauler offering better fuel economy than competitors at a reasonable price. Also garnering Recommended ratings are the Chrysler Town & Country and Chrysler Voyager. Though they don't offer the Caravan's breadth of model choices, they are mechanically similar. Their entry-level models are a super value for the price.

News

Astro and Safari go away after model-year 2005. No replacement is planned, and no big changes are likely in the meantime. Though some buyers remain quite loyal to these truck-type minivans, there aren't enough of them that GM can afford to keep the models going. And both versions keep losing sales, with Astro down nearly 36 percent year-to-year in calendar 2001 and a further 14.8 percent in 2002.

2003 Chevrolet Astro Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Trailer-towing capability	Entry/exit

	Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Torquey V6 and smooth transmission deliver sufficient acceleration and passing response. Body-on-frame design allows 5800-lb towing capacity, versus 3500 or less for most front-drive minivans.

Fuel Economy

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	4

Don't expect to average more than 15 mpg--even less with AWD. GM recommends 87-octane regular fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	5.5

Firmer than most front-drive minivans on smooth roads. Some pounding and pitching on rough pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	4.3

More maneuverable and agile than full-size vans, but far less carlike than front-drive minivans. Steering response surprisingly good. Uprated brakes seem a worthwhile improvement.

Quietness

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	5

More road and wind noise than sleeker car-based minivans, but not objectionable given the boxy body design.

Controls

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Unobstructed gauges and mostly accessible, smooth-working switchgear. Optional audio system with separate rear channel is great for kids, but no DVD entertainment available. Cabin decor dull even in dressed-up models.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	6

Entry/exit hampered by a tall step-in and surprisingly slim thresholds. Uncomfortably narrow footwells, but plenty of head room. Seats are firm and chairlike.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
6	6	6.9

Fine head and leg room, but the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats are heavier and harder to remove than those in General Motors' front-drive minivans. Lack of left-side door a demerit.

Cargo Room

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
10	10	9.3

Tight with all seats in place. Unlike side-by-side rear doors, optional Dutch doors give unobstructed rear view, plus the convenience of lift-open glass and available defroster.

Value within Class

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
3	3	5.9

Astro and Safari are oriented mainly to cargo hauling and light-duty towing. For passenger use, a front-drive minivan is the better all-around choice.

Total Score

2WD LS	AWD LS	Class Average
44	44	57.1

Scores for all Minivans

Low Score		43
Average Score		57
High Score		71

2003 Chevrolet Astro Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/29/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD Cargo 3-door van	$22,050	$19,955	$705

AWD Cargo 3-door van	$24,450	$22,127	$705

2WD Passenger 3-door van	$23,690	$21,439	$705

AWD Passenger 3-door van	$25,690	$23,249	$705

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Cargo

Powertrain

4.3-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lamps.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front air conditioning, power steering, vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, black rubber floor covering, variable-intermittent wipers, AM/FM radio, digital clock, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 215/70R16 tires, AWD models add: all-wheel drive.

Passenger adds to Cargo:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 8-passenger seating with front bucket seats and two 3-passenger rear bench seats, carpeting, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, visor mirrors, map lights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, swing-out rear side windows, 6-wire trailer harness, AWD models add: all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
LS Preferred Equipment Group 1SC
Passenger	$1,245	$1,071
Remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, bodyside cladding, alloy wheels.

LS Preferred Equipment Group 1SD
Passenger	$3,495	$3,006
LS Preferred Equipment Group 1SC plus rear air conditioning, rear heater, 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, overhead console, compass, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear Dutch doors, roof rack.

LT Preferred Equipment Group 1SE
Passenger	$5,146	$4,426
LS Preferred Equipment Group plus leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded upholstery, rear radio controls, headphone jacks, universal garage-door opener, bodyside stripes.

ZQ3 Convenience Pkg.
Cargo	$383	$329
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control.

ZQ2 Convenience Group
Cargo	$474	$408
Power windows and door locks.

Seat Pkg.
Cargo	$168	$144
Armrest, map pocket, lumbar adjustment. Requires cloth upholstery.

Trailering Special Equipment
Cargo, Passenger	$309	$266
Platform trailer hitch, 8-lead wiring harness.

Powertrain
Limited-slip rear differential
Cargo, Passenger	$252	$217


Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear air conditioning
Passenger	$523	$450


Rear heater
Cargo, Passenger	$205	$176


Dutch doors
Passenger	$459	$395
Includes rear defogger.

Cloth upholstery
Cargo	$0	$0


Leather upholstery
Passenger	$950	$817
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SE.

2nd-row bucket seats
Passenger	$0	$0
Requires Preferred Equipment 1SE.

Power door locks
Cargo	$223	$192


Remote keyless entry
Cargo	$170	$146
Requires ZQ2 Convenience Group.

AM/FM/CD player
Cargo, Passenger	$407	$350


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Passenger	$100	$86
Requires Preferred equipment Group 1SC.

Rear radio controls
Passenger	$125	$108
Includes headphone jacks. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SD.

Overhead console
Passenger	$223	$192
Includes compass, outside-temperature indicator, storage. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SC, illuminated visor mirrors.

Illuminated visor mirrors
Passenger	$100	$86
Requires overhead console.

Map lights
Cargo	$33	$28


Cargo net
Passenger	$30	$26


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
Passenger	$400	$344
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Roof rack
Passenger	$126	$108


Sliding side and rear cargo doors deep-tinted glass.
Cargo	$262	$225


Rear cargo door deep-tinted glass
Cargo	$141	$121


Cold Climate Pkg.
Cargo, Passenger	$50	$43
Includes engine-block heater.

2003 Chevrolet Astro Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Astro 3-door van

Wheelbase, in.	111.2

Overall Length, in.	189.8

Overall Width, in.	77.5

Overall Height, in.	74.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	4321

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	170.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	1636

Fuel Capacity, gals.	27.0

Seating Capacity	8

Front Head Room, in.	39.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.3 /262

Horsepower @ rpm.	190 @ 4400

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	250 @ 2800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	16/20

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Astro 3-door van

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	3

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

< 2003 Chevrolet Astro Photos

Also in the 2003 Chevrolet Astro Review:

Chevrolet Astro

Chevrolet Astro Road Test

Chevrolet Astro Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Astro Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Astro Photos

Chevrolet Astro Full Review

All Chevrolet Astros

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