Background: General Motors, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, introduced its trio of front-wheel-drive minivans in 1990, six years after Chrysler Corp. reinvented family travel with its people-hauling Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan offerings. But the first foray of Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Pontiac minivans was less than spectacular. Long-snooted front ends, dubbed the "dustbuster" look by media elite and plastic body side panels never caught the fancy of Joe Q. Public. Sales momentum substantially improved with the second-generation introduction of the Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Trans Sport and Chevrolet Venture in the 1997 model year. Although mechanically similar, each aims at a specific audience. Chevrolet Venture targets volume sales, Trans Sport (which Pontiac renamed Montana in 1999) adds sporty exterior nuances and Silhouette targets an upscale audience. Mid-way through the 1998 model year, Oldsmobile added a fourth trim level; Premier. This version includes all the bells and whistles of its top-level GLS model in addition to an integrated video entertainment system and is our test drive vehicle of the week. This vidoe system, built into Premier at the factory rather than add-on dealer option, includes a five-inch by five-inch color, LCD fold-down ceiling monitor, video cassette player and plug-in outlets for audio listineing and video game playing. All three GM minivans receive final assembly in Doraville, Ga. Total Silhouette sales in February were up 22 percent from the same period last year.
Trim Levels: In addition to the opulent Premier, Silhouette includes three additional trim levels: base-level GL, mid-grade GS and up-scale GLS. Silhouette, like its other-two General Motors' cousins, include two trim-level dimensions: regular and extended although Premier exclusively comes in the longer extended length. Chrysler's minivan selections: Voyager, Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country; also offer regular and extended versions. Ford, which introduced it's Windstar minivan in 1994, markets the vehicle only in extended versions. Honda's Odyssey, Toyota's Sienna, the Nissan Quest and Mercury Villager also feature a singular minivan lengths.
Engine: One engine powers all Silhouette trim levels. It's the same powerpack found in the Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana as well. General Motors' 3.4-liter, V-6 sequentially-fuel injected, cast iron engine powers all three minivans. Horsepower increases to 185, up five from last year.
Safety features: Since GM designed Silhouette for family travel, including many popular safety features as standard equipment only seems natural. Daytime running lights, reduced-force dual front air bags, side-impact air bags, child safety rear door locks, battery rundown protection, keyless remote entry, theft deterrent system, anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard on Silhouette Premier editions. Traction control is optional in GL and GS editions.
Price: Our test drive Silhouette Premier, with all the bells and whistles built in, tips the scales at $31,175 including a $570 destination charge. By contrast the lowest-priced Silhouette GS regular wheelbase edition starts at $24,790.
Standard equipment: Both GLS and Premier come fully loaded with popular equipment including: four-speed automatic transmission; electronic rear window defogger; interior air filter; rear windshield wipers; tilt steering wheel; rear wiper, intermittent front windshield wipers, cruise control; power windows, doors and locks; compact disc player and air conditioning.
Optional: OnStar, GM's global positioning system working in tandem with cellular phone technology, is a Premier option and available in other Silhouette trim levels.
Interior: The all-analog instrument panel includes a very large, central speedometer flanked by a tachometer on the left, and fuel and temperature gauges on the right. The automatic transmission gear shift lever is found on the steering column's right side. Windshield wipers and cruise control functions piggy back onto the left-hand side turn-signal stalk. Interior dome light dimmer and circular headlight dial is on the dashboard, left of the steering column. The stereo system with large preset buttons situates above climate controls, featuring three large, easy-to-grab dials monitoring fan speed, direction and temperature. The digital clock is built into the radio frequency readout. The steering wheel is home to secondary radio frequency and volume controls. Back seat travelers have access to their own fan speed controls as well. Premier and GLS editions include a long ceiling caddie between front bucket seats with a holder for sunglasses, garage door opener, and a digital information center with compass, outside temperature, fuel used, range and miles-to-empty calculations. A Plethora of cup holders influence Premier including dual cupholders that fold down from the sides of many seats. The entertainment system's video cassette player is located between front seat passengers near the floor of the dashboard. The second row captain's chairs is the best place to view the square, one-inch thick color LCD screen that folds down from the ceiling. Second-row plug-in ports allow play of video games, too. Third-row travelers have access to audio plug-in ports as well.
Seating comfort: Leather seating and room for seven comes standard in Premier. The front two captains chairs include six-way power adjustable seats. Maneuvering into the front seats from the outside requires a convenient sit down rather than step up motion. Third-row bench seats with room for three include a 50/50 split. Seat backs fold flat together or independently of each other, and then fold forward for extra cargo storage space, if needed. Third and second row seats remove completely for even more cargo room. With both second and third row seating removed, Silhouette boasts 155.9 cubic feet of space. With only the third row removed, 54.7 cubic feet of rooms is available. Premier includes two second row captain's chairs, each of which fold forward for entry to the third row without squeezing through the center aisle.
Dimensions: (Extended wheelbase) Wheelbase: 120.0 inches Length: 201.4 inches Width: 72.2 inches Height: 68.1 inches Weight: 3,942 pounds
Exterior: General Motors took a conservative turn in 1997 when redesigning its minivan trio. Gone was the long snout. In its place is a design not dissimilar from the Ford Windstar and Chrysler's minivan offerings. The circular, non-locking fuel door, located on the driver's side rear panel, includes a tethered fuel cap. The radio antenna, molded into the front window, provides a clean appearance. Premier, like the GLS and GS trim levels, includes a power sliding right rear door and a driver's slide sliding door standard. Entry-level GL features an optional power sliding right door. Roof racks and fog lights come standard across the board. Oversized side-view mirrors, that fold in if brushed against another objects, adorn both sides. The back hatch door, hinged at the top, folds up when opening. Oldsmobile's new oval logo, present on all four aluminum wheel covers, also occupies the center portion of the front grille. Premier badging is found on both front fenders. A temporary spare tire stows under the vehicle while the jack apparatus rests in a right-side cargo area compartment. Aluminum, 15-inch wheels are Premier standards.
Fuel economy: Silhouette fuel estimates fall in the 18-miles-per-gallon range in city driving and 25 m.p.g. for highway travel; average for six-cylinder minivans. The tank holds 20 gallons of unleaded regular fuel.
Final thoughts: Over the past decade, minivan handling characteristics have improved greatly. Steering Silhouette is as easy as maneuvering most four-door sedans. Premier also includes a touring suspension system. Premier includes all the bells and whistles of the top-level GLS plus the innovative entertainment feature. Oldsmobile's Silhouette Premier lays claim as the first minivan offering a factory-installed videocassette system. It's a popular feature, especially families with growing children, and many rivals are following suit. The Silhouette's Pontiac twin, Montana, also offers the system in the 1999 model year. A fully-loaded, top-of-the-line Premier costs about $4,000 less than a fully-loaded top-of-the-line Town and Country minivan from Chrysler. |