Posted: Monday, September 12, 2005.

Chevrolet Uplander -
The SUV Minivan

For 2005, all the GM minivans received a redo making them more SUV like.

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of JN Chevrolet

In the case of the Chevy version, there was also a name change from the Venture to the loftier title of the Uplander.

The SUV flavor was sewn in by extending the hood out and making it flatter with a steeper angle at hood and windshield meeting ground. Added to that change was the addition, on most models, of roof rails.

Finally, the overall height over the previous model went up a whopping 3.9 inches, to provide more headroom and again to mimic the SUV look. The other dimensions are within a fraction of the old version.

If the SUV look was the intentional, it seems to have worked because some Honolulu residents asked whether the Uplander was an SUV or a minivan.

Aside from the styling exercise, the sole engine for 2005 was upgraded by jumping from a 3.4-liter overhead valve V-6 pumping out 185 hp, to a slightly larger 3.5 ohv V-6 developing 200 units. The only transmission remains a 4 speed automatic. Front wheel drive is standard with all wheel drive with a different independent rear suspension being optional. For the 2006 model, an optional 3.9-liter 240 hp V-6 will be available.

As with many SUVs and minivans, there are a number of models, seating arrangements, and a seeming unlimited number options or option packages. Seven is the maximum number of seats, but in two configurations depending on the choice of storage between the seats.

In the most interesting category is the nearly standard rear DVD entertainment center that is on every copy except the one that is accurately named the Base model. Also coming as an option is a mobile media center, which can store 5,000 songs, 40 audio books, 15 movies, and 100 video games. In other words, the rear seated kids and even adults can be entertained for days on end without a repeat.

Up, Up and Away
To try this newest Chevy, which is a part of their American Revolution, a fully loaded LT was the tester.

For 2006, the LT model will start at $21,990 and the LT Entertainer moves up to $31,820.

With the leather interior and a two-tone look and even real stitching on the door panels and plastic wood inserts that are not overdone, the general interior come across as quite good. Further, the controls on the steering wheel for the stereo and the stereo/CD player and A/C system were straightforward and easy to master.

In the dash pod is also an information center with buttons in the center of the dash to pick the type of data. Finally, GM abandoned the all-in-one stick on the steering column, and in this model has a separate cruise function on a small stick — not perfect but certainly better. Another better feature, which is now found also on other GM cars, is that the control for the dome lights is on the dash so that it can be clearly seen.

Between the leather front bucket seats is a plastic tray that can hold stuff and up to 4 cups or cans to supplement the pop out 2 cupholder set up in the dash. The tray can be easily folded down and out of the way for movement to the rear. Each of the front bucket seats has an armrest built into the seat.

Power Front
Even though the V-6 is not the head of its class in pure horsepower, it does have size in its favor, which gives the Uplander some low-end grunt. In addition, for most part, this new V-6 is a silent partner, at least in the lower rpm mode. More satisfying was the gas mileage for this relatively large seven passenger hauler — about 20 mpg in the town to Kailua commute, which is better than the EPA city rating of 18 mpg.

Going up the Pali sometimes required a downshift by the generally smooth automatic transmission.

Steering had a medium weight to it and was reasonably direct. Suspension is clearly set for the soft side which resulted in good absorption of bumpy or pothole conditions. Cornering edged towards the leaning side of the equation. A sports suspension set up is available for those who want to trade ride for control in the corners.

Up and Over
The rear compartment is a mixed plate of high tech electronics and some low tech seating arrangements. On the high side, a rail system built into the ceiling contains the DVD screen and controls, lights, and a storage unit. In the furthest row of seats, air conditioning outlets are also in the headliner. In the back of each seat is a storage camber for the provided wireless earphones and other miscellaneous knick-knacks.

Seating arrangements are not quite up to the competitor’s level. Admittedly, all of the chairs will flatten relatively easily, but for carrying tall and bulky items the seats have to be physically removed. Others have seats that disappear into the chassis — thus avoiding the backbreaking seat-moving job.

Fortunately, the second row of seats slide back and forth, the back can be raised or lowered and a tray separates the two buckets seats. Both of these seats also have two built in armrests. Knee room is moderate when the front seats are moved all the way back.

Getting to the third row of seats is problematic. The shoulder harness can get in the way, and the opening is not that large. But once there, one finds real seats for real adults plus some open storage and a cupholder over each wheel well.

Even with the third row of chairs upright, there is fair amount of room in the cargo bay — two large suitcases and some additional room. In this model, a removable double storage bin sits in the final storage area.

Available for your entrance convenience are power rear sliding doors that are activated by the remote, pulling the handle or by a button on the B pillar. This comes in handy when carrying things or kids and thereby avoiding having to physically slide the side door.

Uplifting
So is the Uplander a minivan disguised as a SUV or a SUV with minivan features? Truly, it is still a minivan with a soft ride and the virtues of sliding rear doors, but with a look that sets it apart from the current minivan genre. Although it lacks the latest in rear seat innovations, on the tech side there is some entertainment value with the nearly standard ceiling mounted DVD. So if you want a more macho look to your minivan, the Uplander is worth a look.

Q&A
Q: You mentioned that other GM divisions product similar looking SUV like minivans. Which divisions?

A: Saturn’s version is the Relay, Buick has the Terraza, and Pontiac calls their minivan the Montana SV6. Styling is different for each but the general shape and features are all very close.

High Beams
• The non minivan minivan.
• In the high-end model, a functional and good looking front interior.
• Quiet engine with decent gas mileage for a large vehicle.

Low Beams
• Loses in the disappearing minivan rear seat war.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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