Introduced in 2005 as a “crossover sport van,” the Uplander was designed to be more hip than the average mom-mobile. But this makeover did little to improve on its Chevy Venture roots. True, the Uplander succeeded in providing the expected features and creature comforts, but it lacked the refinement and ingenuity that other top minivans from Honda, Kia and Toyota provided.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2008 Chevy Uplander has an improved crash test rating than its predecessor, the Venture. The Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay earned the highest rating of Good in the IIHS offset frontal crash test, but was rated only Acceptable and Poor in the IIHS side crash test with and without the optional side airbags, respectively.
The Uplander was originally supposed to stay in production, but then ended up being discontinued. It continued production in Canada and Mexico for the 2009 model year. The last vehicle of this model produced was a Canadian version of a 2009 Pontiac Montana SV6 Short-Wheel-Base in Liquid Silver Metallic.
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