Chevrolet Uplander Introduction Portland OR

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By J.P. Vettraino
Base model gets more powerful engine.

Introduction

The strength of the Chevy Uplander lies in its value. Comparably equipped, the Uplander sells for thousands less than class standards such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

Uplander comfortably seats seven, with a choice of individual captain's chairs or a two-place bench seat in the second row. And it takes care of its passengers in a well-designed, nicely finished interior. The base LS model offers a high level of standard equipment, including a subscription to GM's OnStar tele-aid service. StabiliTrak electronic stability control is now standard on all extended-length passenger models. A removable hard drive called Phatnoise is available that allows the onboard entertainment system to play or display everything from MP3 music files to family photos to video games to the latest movie releases.

Uplander's main shortcoming has been a lack of performance, but Chevrolet addressed this last year by offering a new, 3.9-liter V6 with 240 horsepower. For 2007, the weak 3.5-liter V6 has been dropped from the model line and the more potent 3.9-liter is standard. With the optional towing package, Uplander is rated to pull up to 3,500 pounds.

Chevrolet would be happy if you thought of Uplander less as a minivan and more as a blunt-nosed SUV crossover. Uplander's pouty snout was calculated to suggest this. Regardless, the Uplander is the best minivan Chevrolet has ever offered.

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