There are some vehicle segments where advancement and innovation are key to selling cars – like the premium mid-size or full-size SUV segments, for example. But when it comes to vans, simplicity is paramount. Most van owners, whether they plan on using their vehicle to haul their family or their tools, like the vehicle for its practicality and aren’t overly concerned with having the latest gadgets or features. This is evidenced by the fact that General Motors has left the Chevrolet Express and GMC Safari vans virtually unchanged for years now and it remains a strong seller. It’s even true for family minivans – Fiat Chrysler is still selling the old Dodge Grand Caravan as a cheaper, more straightforward alternative to the fancier Chrysler Pacifica, and the vehicle has no trouble finding buyers.
We recently stumbled across a community of Chevrolet Astro van enthusiasts who love the vehicle for its spaciousness, practicality and reliability and want to see GM revive the model. The community appears to be related to the “overlanding” community, which is essentially off-road car camping and is a hobby that has taken off in popularity in recent years. It’s easy to see why these folks like the Astro van, then. Not only is it practical, reliable and easy to work on, its body-on-frame design and available all-wheel drive make it decent off-road, too. They even put together a retro-inspired video on the Astro and set up Change.org petition to try and convince GM to revive the van. There’s also a website dedicated to the cause, www.bringbacktheastro.com.
“In 1985, you provided a macro-response to the minivan,” the website says, addressing GM directly. “With 182 cubic feet of cabin space, the do-everything Astro van can carry enough groceries to outlast winter. And if your local supermarket happened to be on top of a mountain peak, the all-wheel-drive workhorse could climb that rocky road.”
“Two glorious decades and 3.2 million Astro vans followed before the last one rolled off the line at Baltimore Assembly in 2005,” the site also says. “The van you no longer sell continues to respond to the times. Fifteen years later, a growing community continues to recognize and discover what an Astro can do on the terrain of road and the ride of life.”
If the Astro also occupies a unique place in your heart and you think a new one would be worth buying, be sure to sign the Change.org petition at this link.
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Comments
Astro would make a Great EV MPV that GM could really utilize for Robotaxi services for Cruise just like how VW just announced they will use their id Buggy for their Service.
I owned two of Astro / Safari vans. I would have bought another if GM had not stopped production. It was just the perfect size van that was very reliable. If they ever bring it bad I’ll be there to buy one.
Guys,
I had several Astro Vans and loved them. However Now I have a 2014 Silverado with 180,000+ miles on it and won’t be buying anything from any auto maker any time soon. The one caveat is if GM brings back the AVALANCHE. I’ll be the first one in line. I had a 2007 LTZ, as far as practicality consider this with the AVALANCHE I could do anything you can do with a van. If it were made on the pickup up assembly line all the components would cross over except for the the back end which is sheet metal and trim for the most part. I love my Silverado but the one missing element is the the enclosed rear cargo area (which is why I have a topper a poor substitute ) and the lack of air ride suspension. In addition GM could make them as they started out in a 1500 and 2500 series. My wife and I are RV’ers a 2500 with a good size towing capacity would cause me to run to my dealer.
We have a 1996 Chevy 2500 express van in excellant condition . It has towed race cars across the USA in large enclosed trailers. It makes the run to Home Depot and can carry 12 foot lumber inside. It rides excellent with 80 series tires. We have traveled with 6 people and their luggage for a 12 day trip. Very comfortable with rear air. It is all original with just the usual brakes pads, battery , etc. I love this van, it’s not worth any resale at this point, but it’s so darn useful and practical, We can’t figure out why we would replace it with anything that would be better. We also have other cars for other use. We also have a new C8 Corvette on order, but my van stlll gets a place in the garage
Astro van was BFI not BOF. Look under one.
It only would if they could price it to be competitive with the others in fleet sales. Pricing would be critical.
As for passenger use sales would be limited.
For some reason these were very popular in Japan. Many were imported there to be customized. Could sell them there too.
Most of the small fleet vans are all imported as they are difficult to build cheap enough here. Even ones like the Ford are from Turkey.
They were popular in Japan because they could be set up as mobile offices. Businessmen could work while their drivers drove through slow urban traffic.
Actually the people would customize them. They also loved the last Caprice and Roadmaster wagons.
We had a number of customers from Japan buying performance parts for them.
I think it would be a great idea seeing as how GM has nothing to compete in that field. If they do bring it back it has to be class leading. No more of this mine is almost as good as yours.
This van would stand a better chance with market longevity than the Chevy City Express Van, which turned out not to be much of a success at all, GM has what it takes to build their own vans, let history reflect that and shouldn’t rely on the platform of other Automakers (Nissan) in order to make this possible, GM should have the Astro ride on a smaller platform architecture that will come directly from it’s larger Chevy Express Van should this van resurface again, I would love to see a return, though GM will have to remember what caused this van to be discontinued and take measures to ensure they don’t make the same mistake again.
But GM is still building the express van, so your comment is not accurate
Rayment J. is right — GM sold for several years a badge engineered Nissan NV200 als Chevrolet City Express.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_NV200#Chevrolet_City_Express_%282014-%29
There Express and Savanna are great full size vans but more van than what many people need. I’ve had 4 Astro’s and an AWD Safari over the years but now use a Transit Connect for business. The Astro was the perfect mid size RWD van that could still carry a load, have good ground clearance and height while still being able to park in most garages as well as maneuver into parking spaces unlike the Express and Savanna vans. The true 8 foot rear cargo space is just enough length without feeling like a warehouse behind the seats. Marry it to the new 4.3 8 speed gas powertrain or one of the smaller Duramax’s and you’ll get a segment of the market you haven’t seen in years. #first in class#again
these people who want to bring back this rolling piece of junk should go and get a psych exam !! I worked at a Chevrolet dealer back in the day and these vans were nothing but problems. And with that 4.3 V-6 it was a dog on the highway, no power whatsoever. Also that engine bay was bear to work in, no room. Please let this vehicle R.I.P.
Van was discontinued due to falling sale and a need to update front structure for new government crash requirements.
Anyone who says this van is easy to work on is a liar, and hasn’t done it. I’ll bring an Astro over and start a timer…give them 3 hours to figure out how to remove all the spatk plugs and check their gaps and replace. Guarantee most people won’t even figure out how to get to them in 3 hours.
That’s why it is important to do a little research online if you haven’t done it previously. I’d call it a real pain in the rear end, but not too bad once you know and have the tools and a dry warm day.
I had 15 of these vans and learned very quickly how to achieve nearly any repairs needed. I would place any amount that I can change two sets of plugs and maybe even three in that amount of time. I bought a 91 in 05 and drove the DS out of it for 10 years. Broke one starter, one set of brakes and 3 front wheel bearing hubs. That thing was bullet proof. I drove it across the scale at the salvage yard and got nearly as much as I paid for it after putting nearly 120,000 miles on it. That van should be brought back. I guess most people don’t know what a following these vans have. I loved every one I owned and I would preorder the first new return model if it looked like the astro rendering above. The astro is “dead ” “RIP”? Thems fightin words with me. Nough said.
I owned my share of them while raising six young’ns, I was always torn between these and the Previa as to which was the best. Bringing back an EV model to compete with the upcoming ID Buzz, Rivian van and others would be brilliant – Prociseley why GM will never do it.
“Never say never”
Confession here, my parents had one. Way more comfortable than my Tahoe, more practicality and use and the guy that bought it from them still has it and it’s got like 340,000 plus the last time I ran into him. They were the “right” size, had good power and I’d be way more interested in one today with the exact same styling even than I would a lot of the crossovers GM is giving us!
Love your outlook and completely would do the same thing. Two thumbs up from me.
My mom had one, it was a tank. It was also terrible on fuel. We could carry almost anything in it though.
This would be a great idea as there is a market for a cheap RWD/AWD van with decent room for shuttling/camping/family use.
Put a 4.3 LT engine with no AFM in there would be fine.
vans/ minivans are right cars. they are good flexible space efficient . People are dum enough to ditch them to get crossovers.
I have minivan and still love the functionality of the sliding doors and space efficiency.
The new crossovers are minivans with less functionality and space efficiency but people are happy with it.
I think the right BEV should be a minivan with dual motors but none cares the right. Design it to be the boxy aero ( example : Mercedes-Benz bionic concept or old bright idea van https://patents.google.com/patent/USD613204?oq=USD613204S ).
I have a 1999 Astro with 310,000 miles on it and still running well. It’s the best handling vehicle in snow ! Plenty of room for whatever – family vacations, hauling tools,moving furniture,etc . I replaced transfer case at 297,000 with one from a 1996 S-10 pickup and now have a floor shift. Not easy to change spark plugs on these vans. The Astro also needed idler arms replaced too often. However, if GM would bring back an updated version i would buy one! Please give us a new one with 4 wheel disc brakes, and better mpg.
I think it would be great to bring back the Astro van. Either similar to the old one or using the Colorado chassis.
As long as they can choose their engine like 350 or the LT1 I definitely buy one
Here is a thought. Use the next gen Colorado frame. Shorten it for the van and a SUV.
Sell it globally as the small van and smaller SUV both would do well as a Chevy and Holden. This would spread out the development cost.
Call the Chevy a K5 for the SUV and Astro for the van. Sell the Van with the Diesel overseas and use the Colorado drive trains here.
Not sure if the economics of this would all line up but global sales at least make it plausible.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Although I would like to see a diesel version for the USA as well. Anyone who’s owned these vans should know that the chevy half ton truck parts and more would fit them. Surprise if you didn’t know.
I drove a 2003 AWD Astro as a company vehicle for the local power company. It was a reliable van and excellent in the snow. I wish they would bring it back.
Chevy needs to make the leap … Mercedes is making great strides with it Metris vans. I owned 5 of the Astro/Safari models and would love to own another new one.
I have owned chev astro vans for a long time they where all in the 1995 to 1998 and they lasted for at lest 5 years for me each and they didn’t brake down a person didn’t do something right when I pages to get them fixed. This last one had for 5 years looking for one more they r good in rain snow in any weather so I do wish they would bring them back
Agree with the need to bring one back with equal quality and capabilities.
Absolutely! I’d buy one in a heartbeat…
…if….all-wheel-dtive option, 5K+ pound towing capacity, dual sliding doors. Nothing on the market like it.
I want the van back too.
I spotted a mistake in your article. You said that the Chevy Express and GMC Safari vans are still strong sellers. The GMC Safari was actually the Astros counterpart. What you actually meant to say was the GMC Savana.
I had one. Purchased in 1997 and I used it for 20 years! Sold it and still see it on the road occasionally.
YES !!! I have had 2 of them and put over 250,000 miles on each. One regular 1986 and then an AWD 1990 model. I am always looking for a decent used one and people just do not get rid of them until they are “worn out.”
I would be one of the first in line if they would bring out a new version. Great for hauling all kinds of things and good towing capability. I even used to take out all the middle seats and take it camping. It actually made a decent camper!!
If anyone at GM reads this – please consider bringing back the Astro / Safari vans……. Thank you.
Agreed, I foolishly traded my 2003, have regretted that ever since. The Ford Flex was great (eventually traded for ’13 C-Max best car ever had) but it just didn’t have all the capability needed that my GMC Safari had. Come On GM stop listening to the soccer mom focus groups and bring back a vehicle as significant as Henry Ford’s Model T was in it’s day. Or does building real common sense vehicles that the public really wants not a thing anymore. All the makes have all but ceased building sedans in favor of 4 door pickups an SUV … they say it’s what the public wants, wrong …… they are only buying only what is available. Chrysler, bring back the Plymouth Reliant K or the Chrysler 5th Avenue … Ford, the Crown Vic, Country Squire Wagon, or Ford Fairmont … GM, the Monte Carlo, or Caprice in sedan an wagon, the GMC Safari an Chevy Astro, the Olds 98 and Olds Cutlass Serria sedan an wagon. All the makers say wagons don’t sell … don’t say that out loud in the UK an Europe, I’d estimate 45% or more are wagons from every manufacturer … check out Autozine + UK and see the great vehicles.
if it is electric that is the only way it will see production in todays world. what ever happened to cng
I have a 2004 Astro for 11 years with 500,000 miles with 4.3 liters engine..only requires regular maintenance ..never have problems with motor or transmission..
I’m a painter contractor is this is my BABY!..
This is a warrior or a tank! Never let me down! I can carry almost everything.. I will buy one if they make another one just with same engine !
The most purposeful and practical van/suv/truck GM made in the last 25 years, period!
I love !! My gmc safari. It’s the best vehicle. I am 33 and, van life as well as just everyday people enjoying time in my van, they are coming around again. I would love an AWD safari, but a NEW one! Would be even more amazing…. I can see it now.
I had a chevy Astro van with raised roof, absolutely gorgeous on the inside the best vehicle ever. Would love to see it brought back . I would purchase one today if it was available.
While I’m here, I’m looking for page’s 1511 and 1512 of DR1-GG85. It gives a breakdown of all components, years and part #s.
Can anyone help me out ???
We absolutely loved our Safari van , had it 7 years & wished we had kept it . Would loved to get another one just like it, all wheel drive, dual heat & sir front & back & tons of room
This week, on my way to the metro (in Frankfurt on Main, Germany), I saw a 2004 Astro parked, with the owner cleaning the windshield. I took some to to chat a while with the owner.
He hat imported the car privately, and therefore had to get an individual certification. He showed himself very satisfied, and claimed that this car was better and despite the private import cheaper as the best equipped VW Transporter van.
I will love to see it return. just can’t get rid of this vehicle, it’s so practical, yet comfortable, with speed.
Please let’s do what it takes to bring them back. I drive a 2002 Chevy Astro.
Driven these for work and personal life. My dad started buying these since i was a kid and i still drive one today. They are hand down the best vehicle ever made.
I still drive one till date, 2002 LT model. all i noticed on this vehicle is the front legs lower arms will need your attention and this is again probably due to the bad roads. Asides this, nothing as good as the astro (for vehicles in this category). when i notice a gas increase, just service the catalyst and air flow sensors and gas intake reduces.
You will need more girth when doing a u-turn. This vehicle was some how built to last for generations and it shares very similar parts with the Hummer jeep.
Astro is a total MPV
Astro needs to be reborn with same strength, structure and a modern tweak.
Reborn immediately
What about a passager van version of the Chevy Express/GMC Savannah?
Either directly from GM or via conversion kits by third parties?
Correct me if I am wrong but I do believe they already make a passenger van version of these vans.
I don’t know of one, if you do please inform me of the brand or name. I would gladly purchase them if they were half as good.
Chevy Express Vans: Cargo, 12 Passenger and 15 Passengerhttps://www.chevrolet.com › vans
Express Cargo Van has plenty of room for your equipment and can be personalized inside and out for the needs of your business. Build & Price … 12 to 15 and room left for equipment and luggage, Express Passenger Van is ready for every … Full Bluetooth feature functionality varies by device, model and software version.
Thanks, VCAT. That is a little bus.
Too large for a passenger van as I imagined. I thought of something like the midsize vans by ex-PSA, like the Opel Vivaro.
Might be a bit large for what you want but they do make on.
Observer7, I think you miss a critical point. No one wants those big, tall and ugly box vans!
Express and Savanah is primarily a large ‘Commercial” taxi/transporter, delivery or contractor vehicle.
I would bet that given the chance, many companies/contractors would gladly go back to a Astro/Safari type and size van. I also believe that many ex-Astro/Safari owners went out and purchased the Fords and Nissans instead of going to the full size Express and Savana!
I owned 15 Astros and/or Safaris. Sometimes 3 or 4 at a time. I have regretted selling my last one since the day after I sold it. I would buy 2 if I could find them. I’ve never had a vehicle capable of doing the things that these vans were able to do. Mine was a work van, family van and a 4 wheel drive off road monster. By far the toughest vehicle I’ve ever owned. Miss them and want another 10. Anyone selling for even parts in decent shape, drop me a line.
We had a 1989 and a 1998. Each Astro went 250,000-300,000 essentially trouble free miles before we foolishly sold them. In combined 600,000 miles of ownership, just nitpicky electrical gremlins because of always poor GM interior quality. The 4.3 engine and tranny were bulletproof. The great thing about the Astro was it was like having two vehicle categories for the price of one. One was the highway soaking road trip machine for the family AND the other was a competent towing machine. Today we own 2 Honda Odyssey’s and a Ford expedition 4.6, which replaced the last Astro 15 years ago. The Odysseys and Expedition have been good people movers but neither can tow like the good old Astro.
We called ours “ The energizer bunny”! We got well over 200,000 miles on our before our first teen driver totaled it. I once t-bone an older (think early 80s caddy) – their fault- they failed to stop at a stop sign on a highway intersection. I hit that car doing 55 mph. The damage was minimal to my van. Literally didn’t even push the front cap in far enough to even damage the radiator. Seat belt kept me safe! I call that a safe van!!! I loved the ability to easily unlock the seats and turn them around for parade watching etc. It was easy to drive and easy to park in small parking spaces. I MISS that fan. Even in my old age I would buy that van again!
Rock Auto or Summit Racing or the Auto Wreckers/Junk Yard !
Tony P
Hello everyone who likes cars like us, we have problems with many car parts that cannot be purchased, if anyone has any