If Uplander falls short of the best minivans, it's most obvious in the driving. This Chevy's cam-in-block engine makes less power than those in all of its primary competitors, and while Uplander is pleasant enough to drive, it feels less responsive and perhaps less satisfying than the minivans from Dodge, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. The Uplander's real strength lies in its value. Comparably equipped, it sells for thousands less than class standards such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. And that's before the attractive dealer incentives GM frequently offers.
Uplander's suggested retail prices start $135 lower than the Saturn Relay, which sits next up the pecking order in GM's minivan hierarchy. That said, while minor styling and equipment differences may apply, there isn't a lot to separate the Chevy Uplander, Saturn Relay, Pontiac Montana and Buick Terraza. When comparably equipped, the retail prices are very close. The choice between brands could come down to satisfaction with a particular dealership, lot location or which dealer is willing to cut the best deal, or which styling or feature set you like the best. Next Page