Overview:
This Astro Van reminds me of my youth when vans didn’t have windows and were used in business for delivery etc. Chevrolet says this is a heavy-duty minivan, but this along with vans like Ford Econoline, Dodge Ram Wagon, GMC Safari (sister of this Astro) are, to me, just Vans. The VW Euro Van also falls into this category.
All are taller, have much more ground clearance and are simply more truck like. Thus, they still seem more suited to business applications where 8-passenger heavy-duty capability is important. Also, if you have a boat to tow and lots of kids and luggage to haul on vacation, this is likely better than other minivans.
Most of the reasons for owning a minivan, namely family use, are to get the kids around town, to and from school, soccer and little league practice etc. For that use, my preference is the smaller minivans like the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. These lower to the ground minivans
are better for passengers who are likely to be real little people who would have more difficulty getting in and out of the larger vans. You can visualize mom taking the kids and the neighbor’s kids to school, to the park, or Disneyland. Beside having to help the little ones up that first high step, she would have to do all that from the passenger side, since the larger vans often only have one sliding door and that is on the passenger side. Most minivans now come with two sliding doors and that driver side rear door is invaluable.
The catch (and there usually is a catch) is the price. You’ll pay $8-10,000 less for this Chevy Astro Van than the Honda and Toyota noted above. I guess I could do a little “high-stepping” for that kind of pocket change. Get this; the Retail Price Range is only $19,725 – $23,252 for this heavy-duty minivan and it’s available in 2- or 4-wheel-drive. There is an all-new all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for 1999, and it operates in rear-wheel drive until wheel slippage occurs, at which time torque is immediately transferred to the front wheels to help regain control.
While most minivans are based on car platforms, the Chevy Astro is very much a truck. In its cargo van configuration, it has been very popular with fleet operators since being introduced in 1985. Astro has one of the most powerful engines in its class and at 5,500 lbs. boasts the best towing capacity. I rather liked the unique optional rear “Dutch Doors,” which combine a full liftgate window with split-panel hinged doors below. But they didn’t have latches to keep them open and I found them annoying, so I didn’t use them as much as I could have.
There are 24 major van and minivan model lines for sale on the U.S. market this year and Vans and minivans—together—comprise almost 11 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S., with minivans outselling full-size vans three to one. That fact tells volumes about how people have gravitated to them recently. I predict they will find even more favor with families and if mom has here way, they will buy a minivan and not the 4-wheel drive, off road macho SUV.
The competition:
Dodge Caravan $18,105 – $31,610 Ford Windstar $18,425 – $30,415 GMC Safari $19,789 – $23,316 Plymouth Voyager $18,105 – $22,975 Volkswagen EuroVan $30,650 – $35,310
Good News:
Priced well, assembled in the United States, versatile with seating for eight and capable of hauling a heavy load or pulling a trailer, good visibility with big rear window with the Dutch door option.
Bad News:
Poor fuel consumption, high off the ground which can cause parking problems in regular garage or in public parking areas, high center of gravity makes handling tricky, restricted legroom for driver and front passenger because the engine and front wheel wells protrude inside the cabin.
Standard Equipment:
4.3 liter V6 190 horsepower engine, 4-speed auto Trans, dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, theft deterrent, air conditioning, 8-passenger seating, stereo with cassette, tinted glass, power mirrors, Dutch doors in rear, chrome wheels and remote keyless entry.
Gas Stats:
16 City and 20 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $22,198.
