If you're in the market for a big van, your priority is probably lots of room, lots of hauling capability or both. And that's what the Sportvan has, particularly in the G30 Extended version. There's enough space inside the big one to create echoes.
Let's put this 306 cu. ft. rolling ark in perspective: It's a 5 ft. x 5 ft. x 12 ft. box, with 6 cu. ft. left over. There are four rows of seats, all of them removable to create an immense cargo hold.
The capacity shrinks somewhat in smaller versions, as with our test van, but it's still quite impressive.
Like the exterior, the Sportvan's interior looks a little dated compared with its competitors. In particular, the Ford, with its lower beltline and bigger windows, offers better visibility, a more modern interior design and better ergonomics.
On the other hand, this isn't quite the same van as it was back in 1970. Now there's a driver's airbag as well as side-impact door beams and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, something we heartily applaud in a vehicle as big as the Chevy Sportvan.
With a complete redesign just a year away, other changes for 1995 are invisible, most of them tweaks aimed at reducing noise and enhancing engine smoothness.
However, Chevy has enhanced the value of the Beauville package by adding power locks, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control and tilt steering.
If you want more, there's an almost inexhaustible list of extras to choose from. Like their competitors, these big vans offer such a variety of equipment that you can almost quite literally build one to suit your needs.
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.