Chevrolet Astro

The Chevrolet Astro was introduced in 1985 as GM's "minivan" entry. But unlike its Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager competition that was car-based and front wheel drive, the Astro (and its corporate twin, the GMC Safari) were actually rear-drive truck-based models. As a result, the Astro and Safari could handle heavier loads and tow more than their competition, but the downside was that they weren't quite as fuel-efficient either. Ford would throw its hat into the minivan ring in 1986 with the Aerostar, which was also a rear-drive truck-based model and would prove to be a more direct competitor to the Astro than the Chrysler minivan offerings. Astros and Safaris were also popular as commercial vans throughout their tenure, especially with small business owners. The Astro and Safari were assembled at GM's Baltimore, Maryland Assembly Plant. The Astro was also available as commercial vehicle and was widely adopted by professionals requiring a van, but not needing the size or poorer fuel economy of a full-size model with a V8 engine. Until the late 1990s, the Astro was also a popular vehicle for towing recreational vehicles as its truck origins gave it a higher towing capacity than its minivan competitors. The rise of SUVs diminished this market from the otherwise, successful Astro.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Chevrolet Astro Review.

Main Competitors

 * Nissan Micra
 * Hyundai Getz
 * Mitsubishi Colt
 * Toyota Yaris
 * Honda Fit/Jazz
 * Tata Indica
 * Hyundai i20
 * Chevrolet Aveo

Second generation (1995–2005)
After 10 model years of the exact same look, the 1995 Astro finally got a new face with optional composite headlamps on upper models. The rear retained the same look. The standard length bodystyle was dropped this year; all Astros were now one (extended) bodystyle. Only one engine was now available, a detuned 190 hp 4.3L V6. 1996 models received all new dashboards that included a passenger side airbag, and 1997 saw the introduction of daytime running lamps (DRLs). There were no appreciable changes in 1998 or 1999 (in fact, the Astro by now had the truck-based minivan market all to itself, since Ford dropped the Aerostar after 1997), but all 2000 Astros had either 7- or 8-passenger seating, as the 5-passenger configuration was no longer available. In 2001, power windows and locks, CD player, tilt wheel and other such niceties became standard on all models. 2002 models stood pretty much pat, but 2003 models adopted disc brakes for all 4 wheels, and the wheels were upsized to 16". The Astros remained mostly unchanged for the 2004 and 2005 model year, which would be the Astro's last.  The vans were still using a design that had lasted 21 model years and they had a good run, but had become quite outdated in comparison with the competition, and lacked such things as traction control, driver's side sliding door and side airbags.  There were no direct successors to the Astro.

First Generation/Origins
The base engine in 1985 General Motors' 2.5L "Iron Duke" 4 cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission, but this combination was very rare. Most Astros and Safaris were ordered with the fuel-injected 150 hp 4.3L 262 cid V6, which was basically a 5.7L 350 cid V8 with the middle 2 cylinders lopped off. Base models seated up to 5 passengers, but they could have an 8-passenger setup as an option. Four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) became standard on 1990 models (previous models had rear-only ABS), and the Astro was now available in an extended-length version as well as the standard length. All wheel drive became optional also. In 1991, a high-output 190 hp 4.3L V6 became an option. In 1992, the high-output V6 got a slight boost to 200 hp, and a new rear "dutch door" design became available that featured a one-piece glass and separate split-panel doors below. 1993 base-engined Astros got a power boost to 165 hp; the 200 hp version remained optional. Speedometers now read 100 MPH, up from 85. 1994 saw the debut of a driver's side airbag, and got the required Center High Mounted Stop Lamp above the rear doors.