Chevy Venture is available in two different wheelbase lengths. And it comes in four different trim levels. The most basic Value Van is built only on the standard 112-inch wheelbase, but still provides nominal seating for seven. At $20,975, the Value Van also provides a reasonable level of standard equipment, including V6 power, air conditioning, side-impact air bags, dual sliding doors, tilt steering column, anti-lock brakes, and dual sliding doors.
The next two levels, Plus and LS, are available with either the standard or the extended (120-inch) wheelbase. Each adds another layer of interior amenities. At the Plus level, the Venture can be ordered with a power sliding door on the passenger side; LS can be ordered with one or both doors powered.
The $28,670 LT, built only on the long wheelbase, ups the interior ante even further with second-row captain's chairs and separate front and rear air conditioners, plus mechanical refinements including traction control and a touring suspension with automatic load leveling.
The most expensive Venture is the $30,315 Warner Bros. Edition, which reverts to LS trim but adds a video player and separate front and rear audio controls, all to amuse the kids on long family drives. The Warner Bros. Edition comes with VentureTainment, a special package of owner benefits mostly aimed at family entertainment. The Warner Bros. Edition comes only on the longer wheelbase. It comes with a power-operated curb-side sliding door. Power for the driver's-side sliding door is available as an option.
For 2001, LS, LT and Warner Ventures come standard with the OnStar communications system. Also new this year is a rear parking aid, an ultrasonic gadget that detects objects behind the van but too low for the driver to see. Besides offering a warning about that little red wagon in the driveway, it comes in handy when parallel parking or when backing up to a wall. Rear parking aid is standard on LT and optional on extended LS and Warner Bros.
Just one engine is offered, a 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter overhead-valve V6. It drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. There is no all-wheel-drive option, although traction control is standard on LT and offered on LS and Warner Bros.