When did they stop making Chevy Ventures?
The Chevrolet Venture production ended after the 2004 model year, with GM replacing the lineup for 2005. In short, the Venture was discontinued in the early 2000s and succeeded by the Chevrolet Uplander.
Chevrolet’s Venture was part of GM’s early- and late-1990s wave of family minivans built on a shared platform with its Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette siblings. Introduced in the late 1990s, it carried through the early 2000s before GM shifted its minivan strategy to a newer design and platform.
Timeline of the Venture's production
Timeline snapshot
Below is a concise timeline outlining when the Venture appeared on the market, how long it was sold, and what followed.
- 1997: Chevrolet Venture debuted (alongside Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette) as part of GM’s second-generation minivan lineup on the U-body platform.
- 1997–2004: Model years produced and sold in the United States; the last Venture was built for the 2004 model year.
- 2005: The Chevrolet Uplander was introduced as the direct successor in GM’s minivan lineup, marking the end of the Venture.
The Venture’s lifecycle spanned roughly seven model years, ending as GM reorganized its minivan family into the newer Uplander and related models.
Why it was discontinued and what replaced it
Contributing factors
Several factors driven GM’s decision to phase out the Venture, including an aging design, the push for feature upgrades, and a broader platform consolidation across GM’s minivans.
- Outdated styling and packaging compared with newer minivans of the era, which made updates less economical.
- Strategic shift to a unified U-body minivan family, improving parts sharing, manufacturing efficiency, and nationwide dealer support.
- Market trend toward newer minivan designs and, increasingly, crossovers, which influenced GM’s product prioritization.
- Replacement by the Chevrolet Uplander (plus sibling GM minivans like the Pontiac Montana SV6, Buick Terraza, and Saturn Relay) for the 2005 model year.
In sum, the Venture was discontinued as part of GM’s shift to a refreshed, more standardized minivan lineup, culminating in the arrival of the Uplander and its related models in 2005.
Summary
The Chevrolet Venture was produced from 1997 through 2004, with its final model year in 2004. It was replaced by the Chevrolet Uplander for the 2005 model year as GM reorganized its minivan offerings around a newer platform and design. This shift reflected broader industry trends toward updated interiors, improved safety features, and a move away from aging minivan generations toward more modern family vehicles.
Does Chevy make vans anymore?
Yes, Chevrolet still makes vans, with the 2025 model year of the Express cargo and passenger vans currently in production. However, the current gasoline-powered Express vans will be replaced by all-electric versions starting in the 2026 model year.
- Current models: The 2025 Chevrolet Express van is available in Cargo, Passenger, and Cutaway configurations.
- Future models: Starting with the 2026 model year, the Express will be replaced by new electric vehicles built on GM's Ultium platform.
- Production status: The Express is still being produced, though the 2026 production schedule has already been announced.
How much is a 2005 Chevy Venture worth?
The value of a used 2005 Chevrolet Venture ranges from $909 to $4,134, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.
What happened to the Chevy Venture?
The Venture was replaced after 2005 by the Chevrolet Uplander, which was essentially a facelift with one long wheelbase configuration, and a longer nose which served chiefly to improve crush distance and styling more like an SUV. Only the long-wheelbase Venture was sold for 2005.
What happened to the Chevy Aveo?
Production of the second-generation model ended in October 2020. Since 2017, GM marketed the Chinese market Chevrolet Sail sedan in Mexico and other Central American countries as the Aveo. Developed by GM PATAC in China and produced by joint venture SAIC-GM, it was positioned below the more advanced Sonic.
