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2008 Chevrolet Uplander Review

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Designed to be more hip than the average mom-mobile
Edmunds

It has sport utility vehicle styling cues
Cars.com

One of the nicest interiors you'll find in any minivan
Kelley Blue Book

The 2008 Chevrolet Uplander owes its SUV-like appearance to a slightly higher ride height and unique styling cues, though it retains sliding rear-side doors and offers three rows of seating for as many as seven passengers. Compared to the well-detailed Honda Odyssey, it's forgettable and outdated.

The 2008 Chevrolet Uplander has been around since 2005 when it replaced the Venture. Edmunds notes that Chevrolet classifies the Uplander as a "crossover sports van" and that it's "designed to be more hip than the average mom-mobile." Unfortunately, nobody is buying the rather clever designation. Edmunds adds, instead of being clever, the Uplander “strikes us as a minivan with a really bulky front end.”

Cars.com feels the same way about the Uplander's styling. "Though it has sport utility vehicle styling cues, its seven-passenger seating capacity, low step-in height and sliding side doors mean it isn't far removed from the minivans that GM has offered for years." Of course, "the company hopes to avoid the minivan's tame image, though." The 2008 Uplander can be ordered in both regular and long extended-wheelbase versions, as well as a flower store delivery-capable cargo van.

Nearly all the consumer car Web sites reviewed by TheCarConnection.com agree that the Uplander's interior is among its best attributes. Kelley Blue Book notes "the interior is one of the nicest you'll find in any minivan." ConsumerGuide agrees and adds, "Switchgear and cabin materials show upscale flair"--though they're not too keen about the dashboard trays and drawers because of the "budget-grade plastic" they're molded from.

Conclusion

Even when disguised as an SUV, the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander shows its old-school minivan roots.


Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The minivan market is shrinking, and only the best competitors are still standing. The perennial favorites in the class are the Chrysler and Honda vans. The Chrysler minivans for 2008 have much more angular styling, and they're laden with features such as in-car satellite television. The Honda Odyssey still feels the slickest of all, while the Toyota Sienna is a reliable second choice. The Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage are fraternal twins and good performers, though not the great bargains they used to be.

Next Steps:

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See the Chevrolet Uplander in Other Years:

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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