Chevrolet introduced its Astro mini-van in 1985, placing a passenger van body atop a truck frame. The six-cylinder, 4.3-liter engine is powerful enough to haul more than 5000 pounds. The Chevrolet Astro has a sliding door on the passenger's side (many owners wish there were also one on the driver's side), and removable, if heavy, seats in back if you need the space to carry cargo.

In 2001, Chevrolet upgraded the Astro with an enhanced Vortec 4300 engine, offering an low-emission option for the first time. Two new metallic colors, light pewter and dark carmine red, were also newly available.

Over the years, Chevrolet has added more and more standard features that were once options: cloth seats, eight-passenger seating, audio system, and so on. In 2001, remote keyless entry, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and power windows and mirrors, were newly standard on the Astro.

2001 Chevy Astro owners report that they love the cargo room and hauling capability, and many buy Chevy Astros again and again over the years. However, many complain of numerous mechanical problems occuring at less than 70,000 miles, as well as noisy rattles, poor resale value, and insufficient leg space in front.