2002 Chevrolet Venture Warner Bros. Edition

A flip-down 7-inch LCD monitor screens DVDs, CD-ROMs, camcorder recordings and even video games.

Under the hood, the story is much the same—that is, the new Venture won't turn any heads or snap any necks. A respectable, but not revolutionary, Vortec 3.4-liter V-6 delivers 185 horses at 5,200 rpm with 210 lb.-ft. of torque available at 4,000 rpm, which means leisurely off-the-line acceleration.


The new Venture is available with Chevy's all-wheel-drive Versatrak system, but only on long-wheelbase versions, which includes the Warner Bros. Edition. Independent front and semi-independent rear suspension help create a pleasant, but not terribly tight, road feel, while power rack-and-pinion steering makes navigating parking lots and playing fields a bit easier.


The Warner edition, like other Venture models, has front disc/rear drum brakes when equipped with front-wheel drive. Adding the optional Versatrak all-wheel-drive system upgrades the componentry to 16-inch aluminum wheels and tires, a fully independent rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

Flexible seating accommodates up to eight passengers or a lot of stuff. The third row folds flat, and the Convenience Center includes three stowage compartments.

Although this vehicle is not a beauty to behold, it does hold a lot of gear in some pretty clever ways. Seating can be easily reconfigured to make room for stuff or passengers. Second-row flip/fold seats can be removed entirely or folded flat to become tables for games and snacking. Third-row seats fold flat for cargo stowage, a unique feature in this minivan class.


Further, a full-size cooler fits easily behind the third row, which also features a "convenience center" with three stowage compartments. The middle one has a sealed bottom and sides for putting away wet gear at the beach or after a rainy soccer game. A whopping 17 cupholders keep every drink, from juice box to Big Gulp, close at hand, and power outlets provide backup for laptops and other equipment.