Driving Impressions

If the size of this big van suggests to you that it won't be handy in parking lots, you're probably right. Try driving the 146.0-in. wheelbase version up to the valet parkers at your favorite restaurant and just watch them run for cover. The smaller Dodge Ram, with its shorter wheelbase, is a little more maneuverable in tight quarters, but none of the full-size vans are exactly ballerinas. As for might, the Sportvan's standard 4.3-liter V6 engine doesn't really have enough power for a vehicle this size. We did like the performance of the 5.7-liter V8 in our test van, and we would recommend it without reservation. If you plan to do any really heavy towing, we also recommend the big 7.4-liter V8. Both of these V8 engines have excellent service records, and both are as durable as locomotives. When it comes to ride quality, we'd give a slight edge to the Ford van family, which has been specially tuned for people-pleasing comfort. But Ford's over-assisted power steering requires extra attention, particularly when you're driving in crosswinds. The Sportvan's steering isn't exemplary in this respect, but it does deliver a little better sense of what the front wheels are doing. Handling in a car sense doesn't really apply here. These vehicles require more care in traffic and when maneuvering around corners due to their bulk, their height and their purpose in life. Vans were not, after all, intended to be nimble. We would mention, then, that calling this vehicle the Sportvan is like naming an elephant Twinkle Toes. Still, for cruising along interstates, our Chevy Sportvan was reasonably smooth, commendably stable and, thanks to its optional high-back reclining front buckets, surprisingly comfortable in extended driving.

Final Word

Big vans aren't big players in the total automotive market, but they do remain popular with people who need the strength and capacity of these vehicles. In that sense, the Sportvan and Rally continue to be as viable as ever. They're not quite as refined as their competitors from the house that Ford built, although GM intends to address that issue when the next generation comes along. In the meantime, the basic virtues - durability, reliability, rugged construction, lots of space inside - are all there, along with competitive pricing. The design, which was finalized in the '60s, is clearly a survivor from another era. But the Sportvan will do just about anything you ask it to do. And it'll keep on doing it for a long, long time.