We are thrilled to have another Astro! We had a 1995 Astro which died and could not be replaced directly. For a couple of years I was driving one of those ordinary car-like minivans, and it was just too small. The Astro and its cousin the Safari are great vehicles for people who need to haul kids and gear, and like space and light and a decent amount of power. The AWD version does not get great fuel economy, but here in the Northeast the winter weather precludes driving a rear-wheel-drive van. I have had two adults and five teens, plus all their gear for a weekend, comfortably in my last Astro. Yes the seats are big and heavy and awkward to get in and out, but that is just the price we pay for having roomy, comfortable seats with storage space underneath. Also the forward seat (and maybe the back one too) tips forward to become a nice flat surface for work or card games or what have you. Visibility is great. The newer Astros like this one have rear headrests which interfere a bit with rear visibility, but it is not as bad as in the car-style minivans. Also, it is impossible to keep those little vans clean if you have kids and gear constantly in and out! There is no place to put storage containers or duffle bags to hold their stuff, so it ends up all over the floor. The Astro's open spaces remain the same shape regardless of whether the seats are folded forward or sitting up. Smaller vans tend to have moving seats, which can break things or at least require that they be moved. Acceleration in the 2002 AWD LS is different from the 1995 RWD version.. it's a bit slower, but still good. Most of the car-style vans don't get great fuel economy either. Some get close to 30 but many end up averaging out under 20, realistically and unfortunately, so the drop to 15 - 18, while not a happy thing, is not as great a difference as it could be. I had been driving an Uplander. It was smaller than the Astro, had less power, and got worse fuel economy (than the rear wheel drive version). My husband's full-size, crew-cab, diesel pickup truck gets better fuel economy than my Uplander. I am very happy to have another Astro and I wish that GM would wake up and bring them back... diesel, while they're at it.

Chevy never did a real redesign on the Astro, so you get 80's content, but there's nothing to compete with it. It is larger than any minivan, smaller than any full size. Gets better gas mileage than most full sizes too. Capable on road, and plenty of people set them up for off road too. Great in snow.

My wife and I bought the Astro 2 years ago when she said that my 1973 3/4 ton truck had to go. At the time we were newlyweds with 3 large dogs and looking to have a kid also. So I looked around and determined that the Astro AWD would be the safest and most logical alternative, especially considering the sheer amount of precipitation up here in the North West. I have never had a problem in 2 years! It can haul a ton of brick or upto 8 people. We have often been designated as the vehicle of choice for that reason amongst our group of friends. We even take the van to the Drive In and take the seats out, put them behind the van with the dutch doors open and use the back seats as a couch and bed for the dogs.

I think this is a great little van, wish I could own another one. It can haul a large amount of dry wall or mulch. I can also haul a large amount of kids. It can tow a boat or camper as well.