Thanks to the stronger and quieter engine, and the quieter and slicker interior, spending time in the Uplander or any of the other new GM
mid-vans is a much more pleasant experience, and it wasn't that bad in the previous iteration. This I know for sure because I owned one and enjoyed it thoroughly.
But this new one is a degree of magnitude improved inside, highlighted by better materials covering panels that fit together much tighter, which raises the tone of the cabin considerably.
With the new engine of course comes more power -- 200 hp at 5,200 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. This isn't a lot more juice than the 3.4-litre produced, but it provides for a noticeable enhancement in responsiveness and driveline smoothness.
Chevrolet Uplander will therefore do an excellent job of looking after the transportation needs of a family of four or five, or even seven if they don't take too much cargo with them.
Some people will find the shorter space behind the second seat a limitation in a regular-wheelbase Uplander, but they're probably not being rational. A recent U.S. government study of vehicle use found that the vast majority of minivan owners only used the front two seats, with some occasional utilization of the second row. The third row goes empty virtually all the time, so there's probably not much need at all for a vehicle that seats seven and carries cargo.
For that reason, it doesn't matter that the Uplander and its siblings do not have those voguish seats that fold flat into the floor. Indeed, it is a real-world benefit, since those seats have to be trimmer than the seats in an Uplander and that makes them less comfortable.
Uplander's rear seats do flip and fold, but they don't disappear, and in the real world this won't matter. What will matter is the clever storage box that can be added to the back of the vehicle to store things or to serve as a table in picnic situations.
Buying the shorter Uplander (or Montana) has other benefits of its own, including a smaller sticker price, and a more compact vehicle to park and fuel.
Speaking of fuel, not only does the Uplander deliver decent fuel economy for such a vehicle, it has the greatest range of anything in the segment. That means you can go a lot farther on a tank of gas and stop less often to fill it up. Good things.
If safety's a concern, there is the usual array of airbags and other safety equipment, with the important added safety and security that OnStar can bring. People using a van to transport children should be especially aware of the heightened safety aspect of this, since OnStar will send help to a precise crash site even if none of the occupants are capable of asking for it.
All in all, if you're secure enough to appreciate the value of a minivan, the regular-wheelbase Chevrolet Uplander gives you an excellent package at a solid price.
photo:GM of Canada
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But this new one is a degree of magnitude improved inside, highlighted by better materials covering panels that fit together much tighter, which raises the tone of the cabin considerably.
With the new engine of course comes more power -- 200 hp at 5,200 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. This isn't a lot more juice than the 3.4-litre produced, but it provides for a noticeable enhancement in responsiveness and driveline smoothness.
 |
Some people will find the shorter space behind the second seat a limitation in a regular-wheelbase Uplander, but they're probably not being rational. A recent U.S. government study of vehicle use found that the vast majority of minivan owners only used the front two seats, with some occasional utilization of the second row. The third row goes empty virtually all the time, so there's probably not much need at all for a vehicle that seats seven and carries cargo.
For that reason, it doesn't matter that the Uplander and its siblings do not have those voguish seats that fold flat into the floor. Indeed, it is a real-world benefit, since those seats have to be trimmer than the seats in an Uplander and that makes them less comfortable.
 |
Buying the shorter Uplander (or Montana) has other benefits of its own, including a smaller sticker price, and a more compact vehicle to park and fuel.
Speaking of fuel, not only does the Uplander deliver decent fuel economy for such a vehicle, it has the greatest range of anything in the segment. That means you can go a lot farther on a tank of gas and stop less often to fill it up. Good things.
If safety's a concern, there is the usual array of airbags and other safety equipment, with the important added safety and security that OnStar can bring. People using a van to transport children should be especially aware of the heightened safety aspect of this, since OnStar will send help to a precise crash site even if none of the occupants are capable of asking for it.
All in all, if you're secure enough to appreciate the value of a minivan, the regular-wheelbase Chevrolet Uplander gives you an excellent package at a solid price.
photo:GM of Canada
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