2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

This variation of the Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana gets added standard equipment for 2003. Silhouette comes in only one body length, equivalent to extended-length versions of the Chevy and Pontiac. GL, GLS, and top-line Premiere Edition models are offered. Premiere comes with a rear DVD entertainment system. All Silhouettes have dual sliding side doors with power operation available on one or both sides, depending on model. Front bucket seats and two 2nd-row captain chairs are standard. The 3-passenger 3rd row can be fitted with a bench seat that folds flush with a floor-level storage tray. Silhouette is available with front-wheel drive or GM's Versatrak all-wheel drive that includes independent rear suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. Traction control is newly standard on all front-drive versions for '03, and the GL trades 15-inch wheels for the 16s already standard on other models. All Silhouettes have a V6, automatic transmission, ABS, front side airbags, load-leveling rear suspension, and GM's OnStar assistance system. Rear-obstacle detection is standard on GLS and Premiere, unavailable on GL. Rear-seat controls for audio and air-conditioning systems are among new base-model standard features for 2003. Silhouette is slated to go out of production, though GM has not said when within the phaseout of Oldsmobile it will be terminated. GM confirms 2004 as the final model year for the brand. Silhouette's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Ventures.

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.