2007 Chevrolet Uplander Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers noted that the Chevrolet Uplander comes with a good package of standard options, but those weren’t enough to propel it past the better-rated Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna minivans. Even so, an OnStar in-vehicle communications system, automatic crash notification, power sliding side doors, and multimedia sound system are good perks. Some testers liked the Chevrolet Uplander minivan's smooth ride, but others said the ride is less responsive than competitors, with too much road noise. Several reviewers commended Chevrolet for making the Uplander’s standard engine more powerful in 2007.

What the reviewers don't like:
Most reviews said that the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander is not as well-mannered in highway driving as its competitors. Government crash-test scores were unimpressive and long-term reliability is below average, based on repair data. Car and Driver magazine pointed out that resale for the 2007 Uplander is “near nil.”

2007 Chevrolet Uplander review highlights

Reviewers agreed that the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander falls short of the class-leading Honda Odyssey (price when new: $25,645 to $39,095) and Toyota Sienna (price when new: $24,155 to $37,665) regarding safety, reliability and resale value. Reviews said handling isn't exceptional, the cabin is noisy compared to others and the interior materials could be better. Long-term reliability has also been an issue in 2007-model reviews.

We found the most credible and detailed review for the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander at Edmunds.com, where editors thoroughly compared this minivan to the class leaders. Consumer Reports also posted a good review focusing on safety and predicted reliability, based on extensive owner surveys. Automotive.com ran a detailed review of the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander minivan, but put most of its emphasis on features rather than performance. Road and Travel magazine reviewed the Uplander in 2006, while Car and Driver magazine provided only a capsule review for the 2007 model.

Also see full report: Minivans

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Edmunds.com
2007 Chevrolet Uplander Review
Editors of Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com didn't test the Chevrolet Uplander head-to-head with other minivans, but its editors did make some casual comparisons. They noted that the 2007 Uplander's larger (3.9-liter) V6 engine has made it more competitive, but that its side airbags for the third row of seats aren't standard and its safety scores aren't the best.

2. Consumer Reports
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Chevrolet Uplander Review
Editors of Consumer ReportsEditors of Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports tests virtually every minivan on the market, including the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander. One of the best aspects of this review is Consumer Reports’ documentation on predicted reliability, based on past-model-year reader-survey data. The analysis here focused mainly on reliability, ride quality, handling and safety, but the writeup is short and lacking in depth compared to the review at Edmunds.com.

3. CarCritic.com
2007 Chevrolet Uplander Review
Don Vorderman

CarCritic.com is different from other review sites. Rather than going into detail about performance and features, author Don Vorderman focuses mainly on long-term predicted reliability based on owner surveys. Vorderman said the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander minivan just isn't competitive with the class leading Odyssey or Sienna minivans.

4. Automotive.com
Chevrolet Uplander Review
J.P. Vettraino
Dec. 2007

Automotive.com’s review of the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander focused more on features than performance, and coverage of how the Chevy Uplander stacks up to its competitors is limited. Still, the review is well balanced, listing both strengths and weaknesses of the Chevy minivan.

5. Consumer Guide.com
2005-2007 Chevrolet Uplander Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com's testing is reported in charts and numerical scores rather than a narrative review. However, ConsumerGuide.com is one of the best places to obtain body style, options and engine information, along with pricing. Editors document reliability and recalls for used cars; a list of trouble spots is included, along with repair estimates. There's not a huge amount of data yet for the 2007 Uplander, but more will be added.

6. Car and Driver
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2007 Chevrolet Uplander Review
Editors of Car and Driver

This magazine offered a very short capsule review of the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander; the unidentified author said this Chevrolet minivan trails the competition in handling and the smoothness of the drivetrain. There's also a section here for user road tests and scores.

7. Road and Travel.com
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2006 Chevrolet Uplander Review
Martha Hindes

The 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Uplander minivans were reviewed at Road and Travel magazine, but not the 2007 model. Martha Hindes described the interior of the Uplander as "a treat" and characterized the Phatnoise multimedia storage system as "funky." Hindes didn't compare the Chevrolet Uplander to the competition at all.

Also see full report: Minivans