Chevrolet Venture U 3.4 i V6 AWD (188 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.3 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.8 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Chevrolet Venture:

The Chevrolet Venture is a minivan produced by General Motors for the 1997 to 2005 model years. The Chevrolet Venture, along with most of its General Motors minivan siblings, was built at GM's Doraville, Georgia, assembly plant.
The Venture name was first used on a 1988 Chevrolet concept car, which was a full-size four-door sedan more aerodynamic than the 1991–1996 Chevrolet Caprice. It was exhibited in January 1988 at the Teamwork & Technology: For Today and Tomorrow show at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City....(Read more on Wikipedia)

U Overview:

Chevrolet Venture (U). With 284 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1680 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 13.2 s). The top speed reaches 172 km/h. A spacious vehicle designed to transport passengers comfortably, often with sliding doors. With seating for 7, it’s perfect for larger families.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
Primarily a North American market vehicle, the Chevrolet Venture (U) generation was not tested by Euro NCAP.

3.4 i V6 AWD (188 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

The AWD system adds weight, resulting in noticeably slower acceleration compared to FWD variants, though still adequate for a minivan.

Fuel Economy

As expected, the AWD system leads to higher fuel consumption, making it the least economical option in the lineup but offering enhanced traction.

Best Use Case: All-Weather Family Transport / Winter Driving

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Spacious and versatile interior for families
  • • Comfortable ride quality for long journeys
  • • Practical cargo capacity with removable seats
  • • Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for improved traction
  • • Generally affordable on the used market

Cons:

  • • V6 engines can be thirsty, impacting fuel economy
  • • Interior materials and design feel dated by modern standards
  • • Some common reliability concerns (e.g., intake manifold gaskets, transmission)
  • • Braking performance (rear drums) can be less effective than all-disc setups
  • • Not tested by Euro NCAP, limited official safety ratings for European context

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(U: 1999 - 2001).

General:
Brand:Chevrolet
Model:Venture
Generation:U
Modification (Engine):3.4 i V6 AWD (188 Hp)
Start of production:2001
End of production:2005
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Minivan
Seats:7
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:188 Hp @ 5200 rpm.
Power per litre:56.1 Hp/l
Torque:284 Nm @ 4000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:LA1 [Same engine] More details about the engine LA1
Engine displacement:3350
Number of cylinders:6
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:3
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:4.25 l
Coolant:9.1 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:92 mm mm
Piston Stroke:84 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:16.4 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:10.8 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:12.8 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:13.2 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:13.2 sec
Maximum speed:172 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:8.9 kg/Hp, 111.9 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:5.9 kg/Nm, 169 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:12.5 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1680
Max. weight:2430
Max load:750
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:3580 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:610 l
Fuel tank capacity:76 l
Size:
Length:4750 mm mm [10mm less]
Width:1830 mm mm [20mm less]
Height:1710 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:2845 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1560 mm
Rear (Back) track:1610 mm
Powertrain:
Drive wheelAll wheel drive (4x4)
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size205/65 R15
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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