While front-wheel drive is standard, GM is the only mid-van manufacturer to offer all-wheel drive as optional equipment on its
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| GM is the only mid-van manufacturer to offer all-wheel drive as optional equipment on its extended wheelbase model, other than Toyota. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
extended wheelbase model, other than Toyota. The Versatrak AWD system, known for its compact packaging, is made by Austria's Steyr-Daimler-Puch, a legendary four-wheel drive manufacturer. All-wheel drive or not, the Uplander gets GM's optional Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) that improves handling, braking and acceleration by using a combination of
safety systems including stability enhancement, antilock brakes, and traction control. All it takes is one quick trip over a winding, rain drenched highway to realize how important this option is, at least here in Canada. While I didn't have the opportunity to test it on snow, my guess is it could prove life saving. When an overzealous driver loses control, often accompanied by the vehicle's rear end losing traction and sliding sideways, VSES literally pulls it back inline and therefore relaxes the willies that would have just taken over your stomach. While you might not drive your minivan to such extremes, it is entirely possible an unaware driver backing out of a driveway or speeding through a stop sign who may not have seen the Uplander's brilliant quad-beam headlamps could necessitate your swerving to avoid an accident. This is where VSES is critical. It allows you to keep control when other vans might slide straight into the offending vehicle or worse, roll over.
The roads I tested the new Uplander out on were varied, made up of relatively straight highway stretches as well as undulating
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| The Uplander's tweaked Venture architecture make it a joy to drive over pretty well any surface. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
curves that went on for miles and miles. How did it stack up? Well I mentioned how the VSES system kept the rear end in check, but even without it in base trim the van manages curves extremely well. So well, in fact, that I could hardly believe the rear suspension is pretty much carryover from the Venture. The front end structure is 60 percent new, however, which is no doubt the reason its steering is so much improved. The chassis architecture in back has been tweaked for 2005 as well, making the Uplander a joy to drive over pretty well any surface. As mentioned I liked the regular wheelbase more from a maneuverability standpoint, but didn't feel overly hampered when piloting the extended wheelbase model. They're both up to the task of tackling twisty mountain roads and high-speed freeways, or for that matter negotiating heavy traffic.
