The Time has Come to Upgrade The Uplander

Though only introduced three years ago, Chevrolet's "crossover sport van" feels like it is already longing for a design revamp, which is luckily scheduled for next year. Until that time, the Chevrolet Uplander is woefully disappointing on a number of fronts.

Whether it's the sub-par ride, handling, safety or reliability, the Uplander lags noticeably behind in each of those itemized areas. Power is sufficient, but lack of responsiveness and a noisy driving experience do not help a buyer overlook the laundry list of other weaknesses. The interior design isn't much comfort either as the look is hard and utilitarian. The only slight bright spot, which is also bittersweet, is that in the last year the Uplander has begun to emerge from the shadows of it low reliability rating.

Although the price of the Uplander is lower than the following competitors. The BuyingAdvice Team can't help but urge buyers to spend a thousand or four more, for one of these far better alternatives-the Chrysler Town and Country or the Honda Odyssey.

Chevrolet Uplander Passenger Van – Spotty in Safety, Ride and Features

Chevrolet tried to avoid the minivan label by calling the Chevrolet Uplander a "Crossover Sport Van" and by making the front and back of the van a bit squarer and more SUV-like. While these minor design modifications really do help the overall look, The BuyingAdvice team believes that the Chevrolet Uplander Passenger Van has not been keeping up with competition in more important realms such as larger interior space, safety features or a better ride.

The things the Chevrolet Uplander does have going for it is a reasonable price and its new 85% ethanol blend compatibility. On the flip side, many users and experts complain that the ride is noisy and the handling less agreeable than other models. There are many media-related features offered in the Uplander this year. But by getting rid of AWD and not providing any air bag protection to third row passengers, safety has not been a consistent priority.

If you are looking for a van with more interior space, the BuyingAdvice team suggests the Ford Freestar. It has a lot more space and safety features, but slightly less horsepower. For about $4000 more, both the Hyundai Entourage and the Nissan Quest offer more room and more consistent safety.