Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

2005 Chevrolet Astro Full Review
Date Published: 11/23/08
2005 Chevrolet Astro Review
No news is the only news for Astro and GMC's near-identical Safari, which GM says will be dropped after model year 2005. America's only truck-type minivans, they share a basic design dating from the late 1980s. Astro comes in a single body length with right-side sliding door, a 4.3-liter V6, and automatic transmission. It's available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and seating for up to eight. Full-height rear cargo doors are standard; Dutch doors with separate-opening upper glass are optional. Astro is also sold as a 2-seat Cargo Van. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Traction control and side airbags are unavailable.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Long the choice as the family hauler, Minivans are easily the smartest use of space for passengers and cargo. These vehicles offer a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Honda Odyssey. Recommended picks are the Mazda MPV and Toyota Sienna.
News
As noted, Astro and GMC cousin Safari head into the sunset after 2005. No replacement is planned.
2005 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 4.2

Torquey V6, smooth transmission for sufficient acceleration and passing response. Body-on-frame design allows 5700-lb towing capacity vs. 3500 lb 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. Uses regular-grade 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 4.4

More maneuverable and agile than a large van, but far less carlike than front-drive minivans. Steering response surprisingly good.
Quietness

2WD LS AWD LS Class Average
3 3 5.4

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. 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
4 4 6.3

Entry/exit hampered by a tall step-in and surprisingly slim thresholds. Uncomfortably narrow footwells, but plenty of head room. Firm, chair-height seats.
Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD LS AWD LS Class Average
6 6 6.7

Fine head and leg room, but 2nd- and 3rd-row seats heavier, harder to manage than those in most all front-drive minivans. Lack of left-side sliding door another demerit.
Cargo Room

2WD LS AWD LS Class Average
10 10 9.4

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

2WD LS AWD LS Class Average
3 3 5.8

These old-timers are best purchased for cargo hauling and light-duty towing. A front-drive minivan is the better choice for passenger use. Look for larger-than-usual discounts in Astro/Safari's final season.
Total Score

2WD LS AWD LS Class Average
45 45 57.8
Scores for all Minivans

Low Score
45
Average Score
57
High Score
70
2005 Chevrolet Astro Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 12/09/2004
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD 3-door Cargo van $22,930 $20,752 $740
AWD 3-door Cargo van $25,430 $23,014 $740
2WD 3-door Passenger van $24,430 $22,109 $740
AWD 3-door Passenger van $26,430 $23,919 $740
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 lights.
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 adds: all-wheel drive.
Passenger adds to Cargo:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 8-passenger seating w/front bucket seats and two 3-passenger rear bench seats, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, visor mirrors, map lights, carpeting, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, 6-wire trailer harness, AWD adds: 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, chrome grille, 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
$5,145
$4,425
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
$395
$340
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control.
ZQ2 Convenience Group
Cargo
$475
$409
Power windows and door locks.
Seat Pkg.
Cargo
$170
$146
Armrest, map pocket, lumbar adjustment. Requires cloth upholstery.
Trailering Special Equipment
Cargo, Passenger
$265
$228
Platform trailer hitch, 8-lead wiring harness.
Powertrain
Limited-slip rear differential
Cargo, Passenger
$280
$241
Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear air conditioning
Passenger
$525
$452
Rear heater
Cargo, Passenger
$240
$206
Dutch doors
Passenger
$460
$396
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
$250
$215
Remote keyless entry
Cargo, Passenger
$170
$146
Cargo requires ZQ2 Convenience Group.
Power mirrors
Cargo
$50
$43
Requires ZQ2 Convenience Group.
AM/FM/CD player
Cargo, Passenger
$205
$176
Cargo requires ZQ2 Convenience Group.
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
$225
$194
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
$35
$30
Cargo net
Passenger
$45
$39
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
Passenger
$400
$344
Requires Preferred Equipment Group.
Roof rack
Passenger
$130
$112
Chrome grille
Passenger
$220
$189
Sliding side and rear cargo doors deep-tinted glass.
Cargo
$265
$228
Rear cargo door deep-tinted glass
Cargo
$145
$125
Cold Climate Pkg.
Cargo, Passenger
$50
$43
Includes engine-block heater.
2005 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. 75.0
Curb Weight, lbs. 4321
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 170.4
Standard Payload, lbs. 1685
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 16/22
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
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 5/60,000 Aveo and Cobalt only.
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 6/100,000100,000 --
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
Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car



    Sell Your Car
Powered by: