Chevy Astro Overview

Chevy Astro Overview While today's minivans offer levels of comfort and performance on par with sedans, the Chevrolet Astro was a minivan from a different era. Born in the mid-1980s when full-size Chevy vans were still in style, the Astro modeled the looks of its bigger brothers. It also shared their tough body-on-frame construction and rear-wheel-drive layout. Compared to front-wheel-drive, car-based minivans, the Chevy Astro was a true workhorse with considerable towing and hauling capabilities.

However, it was nowhere close to more modern minivans when it came to day-to-day convenience and driving ease. Its old-school, box-on-wheels design located the engine within close proximity of the passenger compartment, resulting in cramped quarters for the driver and front passenger, and high cabin noise levels. Getting kids in and out wasn't easy either, thanks to the van's high step-in height and single sliding rear door.

Ride and handling characteristics weren't bad considering the Astro's rudimentary suspension components, though driving it was certainly more akin to a truck than a car. Fuel economy was similarly trucklike, given the engine's origins in GM's light truck line and the Astro's hefty curb weight. Chevrolet did offer the van with Chevy Accessories from CARiD.com like an all-wheel-drive system, which made it one of the handful of vans, mini or otherwise, capable of tracking confidently through snow and ice.

To be sure, the Chevrolet Astro fulfilled the basic requirements for a minivan, given its accommodations for up to eight passengers, removable rear seats and considerable 170 cubic feet of cargo room. But given that car-based competitors like the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have long been far nicer to drive and easier to use, we don't recommend the anachronistic Astro as a used vehicle choice unless you're in need of a small tow vehicle or family/cargo hauler at a rock-bottom price.

Chevy Astro Accessories And Features

VEHICLE
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score 3 (Est)
Rear Door Type Dual Swing-out
ENGINE
Engine Order Code LU3
Engine Order Code LMF
Engine Type Gas V6
Engine Type Gas/Ethanol V8
Displacement 4.3L/262
Displacement 5.3L/327
Fuel System MFI
Fuel System SFI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 310 @ 5200
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 195 @ 4600
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 260 @ 2800
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 334 @ 4500
Engine Oil Cooler Yes
TRANSMISSION
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Trans Order Code M30
Trans Type 4
Trans Description Cont. Automatic w/OD
First Gear Ratio (:1) 3.06
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 1.63
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.00
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.70
Reverse Ratio (:1) 2.29
MILEAGE
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG) 17
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG) 15
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG) 15
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG) 13
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG) 20
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG) 18
ELECTRICAL
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) 600
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) 770
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd) 770
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps) 145
Maximum Alternator Watts - TBD -
COOLING SYSTEM
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts) 12.6
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts) 14.4
WEIGHT INFORMATION
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front (lbs) 3600
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs) 4000
Curb Weight - Front (lbs) 2778
Curb Weight - Rear (lbs) 2050
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs) 7300
Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs) 9500
Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs) 12000
TRAILERING
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) 4400
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) 5000
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) 440
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) 500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) 4400
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs) 6700
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) 660
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs) 1005
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs) 6700
SUSPENSION
Suspension Type - Front Independent
Suspension Type - Rear Hypoid Multi-Leaf
Spring Capacity - Front (lbs) 3600
Spring Capacity - Rear (lbs) 4000
Axle Type - Front Independent
Axle Type - Rear Semi-Floating
Axle Capacity - Front (lbs) 3600
Axle Capacity - Rear (lbs) 4000
Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear 3.73
Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear 3.42
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm) - TBD -
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm) - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in) 1.30
BRAKES
Brake Type Power
Brake ABS System 4-Wheel
Disc - Front (Yes or ) Yes
Disc - Rear (Yes or ) Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 12 x 1.1
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in) 13 x 1.2
TIRES
Front Tire Order Code XPR
Rear Tire Order Code YPR
Spare Tire Order Code ZPR
Front Tire Size P245/70R17
Rear Tire Size P245/70R17
Spare Tire Size P245/70R17
Front Tire Capacity (lbs) 2004
Rear Tire Capacity (lbs) 2004
Spare Tire Capacity (lbs) - TBD -
Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Front - TBD -
Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Rear - TBD -
Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Spare - TBD -
WHEELS
Front Wheel Size (in) 17 x 7.0
Rear Wheel Size (in) 17 x 7.0
Spare Wheel Size (in) 17 x 7.0
Front Wheel Material Aluminum
Front Wheel Material Steel
Rear Wheel Material Steel
Rear Wheel Material Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material Steel
STEERING
Steering Type Power-Assisted
Steering Ratio (:1), On Center 17.2
Steering Ratio (:1), At Lock 17.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft) 43.4
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft) - TBD -
FRAME
Frame Type Ladder
FUEL TANK
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal) 31
Fuel Tank Location LH Midship Inboard
DOORS
Side Door Type Swing-out
Side Door Type Sliding
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in) 135.0
Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in) 224.1
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 79.4
Height, Overall (in) 81.5
Overhang, Front (in) 39.7
Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in) - TBD -
Ground to Top of Load Floor (in) 27.7
Ground Clearance, Front (in) 8.6
Ground Clearance, Rear (in) 7.6
Rear Door Opening Height (in) 49.4
Rear Door Opening Width (in) 57.0
Side Door Opening Height (in) 47.9
Side Door Opening Width (in) 44.1
Step Up Height - Front (in) 20.1
Step Up Height - Side (in) 20.9
CARGO AREA DIMENSIONS
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in) 153.6
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in) 127.8
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in) - TBD -
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in) 52.7
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in) 51.9
Cargo Volume (ft3) 225.1
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Passenger Capacity 2
Passenger Capacity 1
Front Head Room (in) 40.2
Front Leg Room (in) 41.3
Front Shoulder Room (in) 68.8
Front Hip Room (in) 65.5