Cars Service

2006 Chevrolet Uplander Review

Pros: Good fuel economy

Cons: Ride is rough on front end over bumps, seats could be wider

I think that the uplander is a good mini van, specially if you get the extended version. However, third row seating is the key to any mini van and I think that Chevrolet could have done better with this feature. Most vans will have fold and store capacity in the floor boards which allow for more storeage when seating is folded. At a price tag which is 2000 more than a Town and Country or Dodge caravan, the uplander is just out of reach.

If Uplander falls short of the best minivans, its most obvious in the driving. This Chevys cam-in-block engine makes less power than those in all of its primary competitors, and while Uplander is pleasant enough to drive, it feels less responsive and perhaps less satisfying than the minivans from Dodge, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. The Uplanders real strength lies in its value. Comparably equipped, it sells for thousands less than class standards such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. And thats before the attractive dealer incentives GM frequently offers.

Uplanders suggested retail prices start $135 lower than the Saturn Relay, which sits next up the pecking order in GMs minivan hierarchy. That said, while minor styling and equipment differences may apply, there isnt a lot to separate the Chevy Uplander, Saturn Relay, Pontiac Montana and Buick Terraza. When comparably equipped, the retail prices are very close. The choice between brands could come down to satisfaction with a particular dealership, lot location or which dealer is willing to cut the best deal, or which styling or feature set you like the best.

Exterior

Oversized windows and an elongated snout help the Uplander, and its corporate siblings, standout among the competing one-box minivans. Being low-waisted and long-nosed affords it a generous amount of outward visibility, so the driver never misjudges where the corners are. Body-colored trim and a minimum of plastic cladding add purposefulness to the appearance. Moldings under the front and rear are supposed to call to mind the skidplates found on serious off-road vehicles. The optional, 17-inch alloy wheels look exceptionally good. However, the body is tall and narrow, carrying a more top-heavy appearance than other minivan models. True to older minivan designs, the sliding door tracks are exposed on the rear flanks, rather than sculpted into the bodywork, or concealed beneath the rear side glass.

Interior

A handsome, well-organized layout confronts the Uplanders driver. Everything about the instrument panel and center stack is just as it should be. Each gauge is easily read, and every control and knob falls readily to hand. The cruise control stalk actually surpasses those found in some of General Motorss high-end vehicles. Unlike the minivan class leaders, which choose to position the shift lever in the center stack, the Uplanders shifter is located on the steering column. The trim is all perfectly fine, even when its obviously fake wood.

Seating is for seven occupants. (Some competing minivans will accommodate eight.) The narrowness of the chassis is felt in the lack of elbow and hip room. Second-row seats fold and tumble against the front row, or they may be taken out to maximize cargo capacity at 136.5 cubic feet. The third row splits 50/50 and folds flat, though the load floor height is higher than that of most other minivans. The overhead rail system locates snap-in storage compartments for placing such items as headphones and DVDs. A rear, flip-down DVD screen is available. XM satellite radio will brighten up those waits outside the preschool.

Safety

Vented disc brakes with anti-lock are standard equipment. A principal reason for the lengthened nose is to improve crashworthiness. Each seat is fitted with its own three-point safety harness. Both of the second-row chairs are outfitted for child safety seats, and the middle position in the third row has the necessary top tether for this same purpose. Dual-stage front airbags are capable of primary or secondary deployment, depending on the severity of impact. Sensing an unoccupied seat or the presence of a small and lightweight passenger who is properly restrained, the front-passenger airbag will not deploy. Front- and second-row side airbags are optional.

Driving Impressions

Our Chevrolet Uplander LT was equipped with fulltime all-wheel drive. In climates where snow, slush or icy roads are a fact of life, we highly recommend it. GMs VersaTrak system adds relatively little weight to the vehicle, and it can do things some similar systems cant. When the Uplanders front wheels lose traction, VersaTrak automatically shifts engine power to the rear wheels, increasing the odds of continued forward mobility. Yet it can also shift power from side to side between the rear wheels. If the inside wheel encounters slush build-up near the edge of the road, for example, VersaTrak sends power to the outside wheel with grip.
StabiliTrak, GMs electronic stability control, is also available. Buyers must choose between the stability system and all-wheel drive, however, because StabiliTrak is only offered on front-drive Uplanders. In the northeast or mountain states, wed choose the all-wheel drive. It brings a slight penalty in fuel mileage (1 mile per gallon according to EPA figures), but in the right climate its well worth it.



Uplanders most obvious weaknesses compared to the best minivans come in the driving. The fundamental design of Chevys 3.5-liter V6, with its old-fashioned cast-iron engine block, dates back decades. That doesnt necessarily mean its bad. At freeway speeds this 200-horsepower V6 is smooth and quiet, and theres enough quick-burst acceleration for safe merging onto busy freeways. The engine is aided by first-rate performance from the automatic transmission. GM makes some of the best automatics anywhere, and while the Uplanders has four speeds (compared to five in some competitors), it responds almost perfectly to the drivers commands via the gas pedal, and shift quality (smoothness) is as good as it gets.

That said, the Uplanders V6 isnt likely to stir much emotion, and we wouldnt relish the thought of towing something at the rated capacity of 3500 pounds. In short, Uplanders engine delivers less horsepower and torque than any in the class, and its noticeable on the road. It simply cant match the power, smoothness or fuel economy of the overhead cam engines in some competitors, nor the torque of cam-in-block engines in others. The engine more or less sets the tone for Uplanders driving dynamics in general.

Handling is reminiscent of old-school GM. This is no doubt by design, because GM is perfectly capable of building vehicles with a more contemporary ride-handling balance. In other words, Chevy thinks Uplander buyers want a soft ride and side to side sway in any corner taken faster than parking-lot speed. We prefer more responsive handling. Uplanders steering has too much power assist for our taste, and it feels numb. This minivan will eventually turn, but sometimes it seems it doesnt want to. While the ride is soft, the suspension can also be loud and clunky on rough surfaces. Uplander simply does not respond as crisply as some other minivans, though some drivers may appreciate the softer ride and never know the handling difference.

On the positive side, Uplanders anti-lock braking system works great. It keeps the brakes precisely at the point of lockup without any shuddering through the pedal, and stops this minivan as quickly as possible while leaving the driver full directional control. The 25-gallon fuel tank is another plus. Based on our real-world mileage figures, highway range of more than 550 miles is within reach.

Final Word

Although a good minivan, the Uplander doesnt measure up against segment leaders--unless features like Sit-N-Lift, AWD, or the digital entertainment center are a must.