2003 Chevrolet Astro: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

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.