DriveTech

2006 Chevrolet Uplander LT

When I went up to Temecula to pick up a Chevrolet from Paradise to pick up a vehicle I had in mind the Uplander, out for only two years it seem to be the vehicle to have. When I got there I looked at the Uplander and tried to decide what is it? Is it a sport utility vehicle? Maybe a large station wagon, or could it be a mini van? Well I will leave that decision up to you in my mind it is a pretty cool human hauler. The Uplander has plenty of get up and go thanks to a peppy 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 201 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 216 pounds foot of torque at 4000 rpm. There is only one transmission available a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission and with this combination you will end up with an estimated 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the freeway. The fuel mileage was a pleasant surprise and adds to the confusion as to what is the Uplander.

You can get up to 7 folks inside an Uplander if you choose to become a bus, but if you do they will be well entertained, look at the roof entertainment center with a flip down screen that slides on rails for added viewing pleasure plus there is storage up there as well.

The seating was very comfortable with electrical adjustments for the driver and manual adjustments for everyone else. The second row seats comprise of captain chairs with storage in the backs and a flip up table for drinks and popcorn but if you must sit in the third row of seats you must flip the table down or try and climb over it. All the seats in the Uplander fold for added storage and if you open the rear hatch there are boxes behind the third row seating that are for storage with lids that stay up for loading, very handy also in the rear is an air compressor for beach toys and the like.

Sitting behind the wheel of the Uplander is comfortable and visibility is good, you do have a pretty good size hood sticking out front but if you’re a gear head and like going under the hood then the Uplander had you in mind, plenty of room for checking all the fluid levels and minor maintenance.

The side doors open three ways with either a key fob, touch of a button located at the “B” pillar or in the roof where the interior lighting is located. I decided to go shopping on the way home and found this feature worth its wait in gold. The side sill is low enough that getting in the Uplander is a very easy to enter and exit. My test vehicle had XM radio included in an upgraded sound system which included an AM/FM stereo with a 6-disc changer with a MP3 player included and the sound quality was excellent, even though all I listened to was the Comedy Channel, boy are my ribs sore!

Driving the Uplander is a breeze, plenty of power, warning signals if you leave your turn signal on to long, daytime running lights and plenty of storage throughout the Uplander for you and your passengers. The folks up front get one armrest apiece and the second row occupants get only one armrests apiece as well and the rear seats occupants, they get none.

Safety is all around you in the Uplander with an optional back up warning system that can be turned on or off, plus front air bags, side airbags for the driver and front passenger plus the second row sets have side airbags as well, and of course my favorite OnStar which is talking to a live person 24/7 in the event your lost or need help.

A couple of other features worth mentioning, you can tow with this Uplander if needed so what is it? A minivan? A sport utility? A station wagon? Chevrolet calls it a cross over, I call it what ever you need it for that is what it is all I know is that I was very impressed with the performance; handling ease of operation safety of course in fact the exterior look is actually growing on me. So if you have to haul a lot of rug rats around but need good fuel economy, check out the 2006 Uplander at your local Chevrolet dealership or cruise up to Temecula and see Todd Tracy General Sales Manager and tell him you want the “Dave Stall Special”.