New Chevy Uplander Sport Van Photos Released

GM Adds to Its Rugged SUV-Styled Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay Minivans

GM's Chevrolet division released photos of the upcoming Uplander "sport van," a phrase the automaker has coined in an

The SUV-like Uplander minivan shares architecture with the recently unveiled Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

attempt to set its new vans apart from the conventional minivan crowd.

The new Uplander, a 2005 model expected to become available in the fall of 2004 when it replaces the current Venture, shares architecture with the recently unveiled Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay. Each new van features SUV-like styling cues such as a prominent hood line, strong fender lines and a truck-like grille.

The Uplander's grille features the bold strikethrough carrying the

GM is hoping that the Uplander's SUV-like styling will attract buyers who want the funcionality of a minivan but are turned off by the "family" stigma. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Chevy bowtie at center, similar in design to the brand's light duty pickup trucks.

GM hopes the SUV styling cues will attract buyers that prefer the driving characteristics and functionality of a minivan but are turned off by the "family" stigma associated with the genre.

Interestingly, this is the same thinking that has brought recent SUV crossover vehicles such as the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Freestyle, as well as longer running car-based crossovers such as the Lexus RX and BMW X5.