2003 Chevrolet Venture

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$547–$6,087 Inventory Prices
(3.7) 15 reviews
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2003 Chevrolet Venture
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Key Specs

of the 2003 Chevrolet Venture. Base trim shown.

2003 Chevrolet Venture Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
Closely related to the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana, the Venture is Chevrolet’s front-wheel-drive (FWD) minivan. Last year, the Venture added an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, and little has changed for the 2003 model year.

Ever since its predecessor, the Lumina APV, was introduced in 1990, Chevrolet’s version has been the lower-priced value-oriented member of the GM trio of FWD minivans. Renamed the Venture as part of its 1997 redesign, Chevy’s minivan handily exceeds the combined annual sales of its two GM companions.

The Venture lineup includes the Value Van, Plus, LS, LT and Warner Bros. Edition trim levels. The Warner Bros. Edition is equipped with a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system and GM’s OnStar communication system. Versatrak AWD is available for the extended-length LT model. A redesigned Venture is likely in the middle of this decade.

Exterior
The regular-length Venture rides a 112-inch wheelbase and measures nearly 187 inches long overall, while the extended-length model has a 120-inch wheelbase and stretches 200.9 inches from stem to stern.

All Ventures have dual sliding side doors. A powered right-side door is standard on the LT and Warner Bros. Edition and comes optional on the LS model. Power operation of the sliding door on the driver’s side is also available. AWD minivans have 16-inch tires, but FWD models get 15-inchers.

Interior
Seating for seven occupants is standard, but an eight-passenger cap...
Vehicle Overview
Closely related to the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana, the Venture is Chevrolet’s front-wheel-drive (FWD) minivan. Last year, the Venture added an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option, and little has changed for the 2003 model year.

Ever since its predecessor, the Lumina APV, was introduced in 1990, Chevrolet’s version has been the lower-priced value-oriented member of the GM trio of FWD minivans. Renamed the Venture as part of its 1997 redesign, Chevy’s minivan handily exceeds the combined annual sales of its two GM companions.

The Venture lineup includes the Value Van, Plus, LS, LT and Warner Bros. Edition trim levels. The Warner Bros. Edition is equipped with a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system and GM’s OnStar communication system. Versatrak AWD is available for the extended-length LT model. A redesigned Venture is likely in the middle of this decade.

Exterior
The regular-length Venture rides a 112-inch wheelbase and measures nearly 187 inches long overall, while the extended-length model has a 120-inch wheelbase and stretches 200.9 inches from stem to stern.

All Ventures have dual sliding side doors. A powered right-side door is standard on the LT and Warner Bros. Edition and comes optional on the LS model. Power operation of the sliding door on the driver’s side is also available. AWD minivans have 16-inch tires, but FWD models get 15-inchers.

Interior
Seating for seven occupants is standard, but an eight-passenger capacity is optional in the LS. The standard setup includes a two-passenger split bench seat in the second row and a three-place split bench seat in the third row. Flat-folding captain’s chairs with cupholders are available for the second row, as are modular bucket seats for the second and third rows.

All seats except for the front buckets can be removed, which then yields a cargo volume of up to 126.6 cubic feet in regular-length models or 140.7 cubic feet in extended-length versions. All Ventures have a rear, swing-up liftgate.

Under the Hood
A 3.4-liter V-6 engine sends 185 horsepower to a four-speed-automatic transmission, which is the same powertrain used in all three GM minivans. A sport suspension is standard on the LT and optional on the LS and Warner Bros. Edition. Traction control is optional for the LS and Warner Bros. Edition models.

Safety
Antilock brakes are standard. Side-impact airbags are installed in the LS, LT and Warner Bros. Edition. An optional rear parking-assist function emits an audible warning as you approach an obstacle to the rear while backing up. LATCH child-safety seat tethers are installed.

Driving Impressions
The ride quality in the Venture is pleasing, and performance is a definite plus. The Venture is energetic when starting from a standstill, and it passes and merges effectively. GM’s solid powertrain functions with impressive competence, and it has smooth, prompt gear changes.

The Venture’s handling is fine on the highway, and it steers with a light touch. However, this minivan isn’t as stable in curves as some of its rivals. Nothing is really wrong with the Venture, but it fails to stand above the minivan pack.
 
Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2003 Buying Guide
Posted on 2/26/03

View 13 Photos

Latest 2003 Venture Stories

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Consumer Reviews

3.7
15 reviews
Exterior Styling
(3.8)
Performance
(3.9)
Interior Design
(3.7)
Comfort
(3.9)
Reliability
(3.9)
Value For The Money
(4.0)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Pwrfect for family

by Lizbeth from snellville on March 3, 2018

Is a good and confort for all members of the family because have a seet for little child and the hot and cold air is perfect Read full review

(3.0)

Reliable but not for me!

by chyde from Cleveland on July 8, 2017

We owned this van for approximately 2 months total. It was a great van, drove well, handled well but I am used to driving a Sedona. The thing that I noted was that the headlights are a little weak by ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2003 Chevrolet Venture currently has 0 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2003 Chevrolet Venture has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Venture received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker