The 2007 Chevrolet Uplander isn’t a serious contender for best used minivan on the market. But, with prices starting below $5,000 for a high-end LT model, it may just be unbeatable for overall value.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The very definition of mediocre. The short-lived Uplander was a decent minivan, but the only thing that really allowed it to stand out from the pack was its price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Ride quality is smooth and there’s more cargo space than you’ll likely ever need. But interior trim quality is low-rent, and the back row is tight.
- Reliability 7/10 – Minivans cost a little more to maintain than, say, a compact SUV. But major repairs are few and far between with the Uplander.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test ratings are mediocre and the airbag layout leaves a lot of unprotected seat-space inside the cabin. But, anti-lock brakes and stability control come standard.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 18/25 miles to the gallon is pretty much what you’d expect of a 2007 minivan.
- Value 8/10 – It’s a mid-tier minivan at a dirt-cheap price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander?
Kelley Blue Book praised the Chevy Uplander as a solid budget-friendly minivan, noting that it may be ideal for small families. But, the narrow hip room in the third row may have the kids shouting “he’s on my side!” and the back row doesn’t fold all the way flat.
Edmunds liked the smooth riding suspension and generous storage compartments with cargo slots, nets, shelves, pockets, and cupholders all over the cabin. They noted that mediocre crash test ratings and limited airbags may have family drivers thinking twice.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander Have?
The 2007 Chevrolet Uplander has generated just 108 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its time on the road. Of these, 10 are for fuel system issues, with drivers reporting inaccurate fuel gauge readings.
There are 13 complaints on file for locks and latches, with reports of doors getting completely stuck in the closed position, becoming impossible to open. Or, getting stuck in the open position, and becoming impossible to shut. In particular, the sliding door seems to pop off of its track from time to time.
14 electrical complaints point to low beam headlights shutting off on their own, sliding doors opening independently while in motion, sudden loss of electric power, and total battery failure.
The 2007 Chevrolet Uplander has only been recalled twice, both times for potential fractures in the suspension system.
How Long Will the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander Last?
Being a relatively new, and short-lived, nameplate, the Uplander is still unproven in the long run. But drivers have reported passing 200,000 miles on the original transmission, so there’s no reason not to think you might hit 250,000 miles with excellent maintenance.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $567, with the most expensive fix, by far, being a new air conditioning refrigerant line, starting at around $1,023.
Well my uplander is currently down. Needs work done. I do not know what's wrong with it yet. But other than that it don't give me any problems.
The only reoccurring issue that I have had are the hub assembly on both sides. Replaced them 3 times in 5 years. The security system malfunctions from time to time.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander is good for the model year. CD players come standard, and you can upgrade to an overhead DVD player for the back row in the higher trim levels.
Safety technology is merely adequate for 2007. The minivan’s crash test scores aren’t great and airbag coverage is limited, but anti-lock brakes come standard, and traction control is available.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander a Good Value?
The 2007 Chevrolet Uplander is a pretty good value. The minivan is, overall, mediocre in more ways than not. But with fair market prices starting at under $3,000 and a high-end LT Extended model typically listing at just $4,698, you may be willing to look past cheap interior materials and narrow back row.
Maintenance costs are within reason for a minivan of this age, and fuel economy isn’t bad. While the Uplander might not be the best minivan on the market, it may well be the most budget-friendly.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander?
The 2007 Uplander is offered in a cargo van model which is totally bare bones, intended to be customized for fleet purposes. There are two passenger van models, being the LS and the LT.
With the entry-level LS you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- CD/MP3 player
The high-end LT adds:
- Rear air conditioning with separate controls
- Heated mirrors
- Cloth/vinyl seating
- Overhead DVD player for the back seat
What Engines Come In the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander?
- The 2007 Uplander comes packed with a 3.9L FlexFuel V6 delivering 240 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 18/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander?
The 2007 Uplander is moderately comfortable. The second row stretches 61 inches across, but the third row is a bit tight. The ride is smooth and the suspension has held up well over the years, but the interior trim materials feel a bit cheap, giving the whole cabin a sort of “economy class” feel.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander Have?
The 2007 Uplander is fairly mediocre in more ways than not, but it’s a heavyweight contender when it comes to storage space, packing up to 120 cubic feet of cargo with the seats folded down, or 136 with the back rows removed.
For reference, the class-leading Toyota Sienna only packs 101 cubic feet of cargo space. This gives you as much space as the Sienna has, plus two car trunks worth of room.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Chevy Uplander was a short-lived nameplate, running from the 2005 to the 2008 model years in the US, making the 2007 edition the second to last of the 1st Generation.
2005: The 2005 Uplander debuted as a replacement for the Venture and Astro, boasting a 3.5L V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and removable second and third row seats.
2006: In 2006, the V6 was upgraded to a 3.9L delivering 240 horsepower.
2007: Chevy got rid of the 3.5L V6 for 2007, making the 3.9L the base engine.
2008: There were no major changes for the Uplander’s final model year.
How Does the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander Compare to the Competition?
If you compare the Uplander to almost any of its competitors on specs, the Uplander is going to come out the loser. Except for storage capacity, where the Chevy outclasses the Sienna by a good 16 cubic feet, and comes up just 4 cubic feet shy of the Honda Odyssey.
Where the Uplander stands out is in the overall value. The Odyssey and the Sienna both start out at around $7,000 for an entry-level model. A top-of-the-line LT Uplander, with a DVD player in the back row, starts out at under $5,000.
If money is no object, the Sienna is probably the best minivan released in 2007. But the Uplander delivers a lot more value than you expect to get for five grand.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander?
Yes it is. At least it has been good to me even though I do not know much about cars. But it drives smooth and not loud when you drive or crank it up.
I bought this van used 5 years ago. It now has 300,000 miles on it. This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned.