Chevrolet introduced the Astro in 1985, placing a passenger van body on a truck frame. A powerful 4.3-liter, 6-cylinder engine allows towing of boats and other heavy toys. Its other claim to fame is its roomy seating capacity; most Astros can seat up to eight people comfortably, and if you remove two heavy seats, you can fit a lot of cargo. The most notable change for the 1999 Chevrolet Astro is the redesigned AWD (all-wheel drive) system. On AWD models, the Astro operates in rear-wheel drive until sensors detect wheel slippage. At that point, the transfer case immediately shifts power to the front wheels. Other changes for the 1999 Chevy Astro include improvements to the problematic transmission; overhead consoles now standard on the LS and LT models; and optional heated, reduced-glare side mirrors. Some changes were also made to the exterior, such as new paint colors and optional running boards. 1999 Chevrolet Astro owners have mixed reviews about its reliability. Many say it's a versatile, reliable van; others point to breakdowns and poor quality control on everything from sticking accelerators to failed window motors. Many owners also wish there were a sliding door on the driver's side as well as the passengers' side.