Used 2006 Chevrolet Uplander 2LT Extended FWD for SaleNationwide

Anonymous

Reviewed a 2006 Chevrolet 2LT Extended FWD on May 28, 2009

The Uplander seems to be, for the moment, GM's last foray into the FWD minivan, and thank goodness for that! Following on the heels (wheels?) of the Lumina and the Venture, the Uplander doesn't look like a bad car. It comes in pretty colors and has options like remote power sliding doors on both sides, available hitch to hold GM's nifty bike rack, and DVD with wireless headphones. We got one when our last Astro died and we couldn't replace it straightaway. I had never owned a FWD minivan before and had mixed feelings about getting one, but GM wasn't offering the Astro nor the Safari any longer; the Acadia had yet to come out (the Traverse wasn't even being talked about), so it was pretty much the Uplander or nothing (unless I wanted to cough up the money for a Suburban or a Yukon Denali. As I didn't have $50,000+ to spend on a car, we got the Uplander.) We tried to like it. It drives like a car, and has a lovely long sweep of a dashboard. The power doors are a great idea, and I've gotten rather attached to the backup alarm. But we have had trouble with the horn (not working much of the time, despite many trips to the dealership) and the power doors (ditto). Oncoming drivers are always convinced I have my brights on. It accelerates like an ambtitious lawnmower or an early Honda, whining and sluggish. I suppose the smaller engine is supposed to increase fuel economy, but it averages under 20 mpg around town (I don't get to take many highway trips, but I think it did average over 20 one weekend on the road). For under 20 mpg I could have gotten a used Suburban, almost. Visibility is not so great. The roof and visors are too low, infringing on one's vision and temperament. The rear seats fold down for storage, but when they do the whole thing seems to move, so if anything is on the floor it could get broken. Even with the second-row captain's chairs and small console, there isn't a reasonable amount of storage space where kids are involved, and it is pretty much impossible to keep clean. There is an AC/DC plug in the cargo area along with a power accessory thing, but no other power (lighter) things except the one for the driver. A bit stingy, I thought. I don't like to say bad things about this innocent little car, and I don't like to seem ungrateful that we could afford to buy a new car -- many people can't. If you like the little front-wheel-drive minivans, it may be no worse than the others. My kids enjoyed the DVD player and wireless headphones. If you are looking for a replacement for your Astro or Safari, look elsewhere. Good luck!