• The Venture is a minivan that was produced by Chevrolet from 1997 to 2005. Introduced near the peak of the minivan "boom" of the late 1990s, the Venture competed against other similar vehicles such as the Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town and Country. Only one iteration of the vehicle was ever designed, and production ended before Chevrolet released any major changes to the van. The Venture received top accolades from publications including Edmunds when it was released, although it has since declined in popularity.
  
  

Engine

• The standard engine of the Venture is a 3.4 liter (207 cubic inch) displacement V6. This engine, designated the "LA1" by General Motors, features 12 valves and sequential fuel injection. The Venture's LA1 engine produces 185 horsepower at a maximum of 5,200 revolutions per minute (rpm).
  
  Fuel economy for the Venture is estimated to be 19 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, giving it an overall average mpg of 22. The Venture's engine features a catalytic converter and an exhaust gas recirculation mechanism to help decrease emissions.
  
  

Transmission

• An electronic automatic transmission is standard on the Venture. This transmission is a HydraMatic brand with four speeds, as well as an overdrive gear. This transmission powers the front wheels on the base version of the Venture.
  
  An optional all-wheel drive feature is also available. This distributes power to all four wheels, and helps the van maintain traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
  
  

Interior

• The Venture features three rows of seating, and has a maximum capacity of seven (standard) or eight (optional). A passenger and driver seat are in the first row, followed by either two or three seats in the center row, depending on the options chosen when the vehicle was purchased. The final row has three seats.
  
  With the exception of the driver's position, all seats in the Venture can be folded or completely removed to enlarge the cargo capacity. The maximum cargo space of 19.9 cubic feet when all seats are in place can be expanded to 119 cubic feet if every passenger seat is removed. A sliding door helps make entry and exit into the passenger rows more accessible.
  
  

Safety

• The Venture includes several standard safety features. Driver and passenger airbags are standard, as are seat belts for every passenger. These include adjustable upper chest belts for added safety. Always-on running lights help make the Venture more visible to other vehicles. A child seat anchor system is included in the rear passenger area. This allows a car seat to be properly installed in a way that maximizes safety for toddlers.
  
  An anti-lock brake system (ABS) is included on all Ventures. This system helps to slow the vehicle on low-traction road surfaces. Traction control, which helps prevent the minivan from sliding, is available as an option.