Chevrolet Uplander: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Chevrolet Uplander rather than reading a brochure, the catalogue is simpler than the five listed lines suggest. There is 1 generation (2004–2010), body type Minivan, and only three distinct measured packages under two names: 3.5 AT at 203 hp with FWD, 3.5 AT at 203 hp with AWD, and 3.9 AT at 243 hp with FWD.
If you are choosing a Chevrolet Uplander rather than reading a brochure, the catalogue is simpler than the five listed lines suggest. There is 1 generation (2004–2010), body type Minivan, and only three distinct measured packages under two names: 3.5 AT at 203 hp with FWD, 3.5 AT at 203 hp with AWD, and 3.9 AT at 243 hp with FWD. Two of the five catalogue rows are the same 3.5 AT FWD figures twice; two more are the same 3.9 AT FWD figures twice. Buy on the numbers below, not on the count of rows.
There is no second generation to “step up to,” no restyle generation in this data, and no 2026 Uplander in this dataset. Years people search (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) all sit inside the same 2004-01-01 to 2010-12-31 window. Trim names such as LS, oil type, service-manual content, used prices, and a scored reliability record are not measured here — only the specs that follow.
Chevrolet Uplander specs: the three real choices
| Version | hp (kW) @ rpm | Nm @ rpm | Displacement, cc | Fuel | Cylinders / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 AT (203 hp, AWD) | 203 (149) @ 5400 | 298 @ 3200 | 3498 | 92, Gasoline | 6, V-shaped, 2 valves/cyl | No | Automatic, 4 | AWD |
| 3.5 AT (203 hp, FWD) | 203 (149) @ 5400 | 298 @ 3200 | 3498 | 92, Gasoline | 6, V-shaped, 2 valves/cyl | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 3.9 AT (243 hp, FWD) | 243 (179) @ 6000 | 325 @ 4800 | 3880 | not measured, Gasoline | 6, V-shaped, 2 valves/cyl | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
All three engines are Gasoline, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.8, boost No. The 3.5 AT bore × stroke is 94 × 84; the 3.9 AT is 99 × 84 — the extra displacement is bore, not stroke.
Power per litre (arithmetic on the given figures):
- 3.5 AT 203 hp / 3498 cc ≈ 58.0 hp/L
- 3.9 AT 243 hp / 3880 cc ≈ 62.6 hp/L
The 3.9 AT is not only larger: it extracts about 4.6 hp more per litre. Peak torque arrives later: 4800 rpm versus 3200 rpm on both 3.5 AT lines — the 3.5 makes its 298 Nm earlier; the 3.9’s extra 27 Nm (325 − 298) is higher in the rev range.
Chevrolet Uplander engine: what the extra 40 hp actually buys
The 3.9 AT has 40 hp more than either 3.5 AT (243 − 203), about 20% more power, and 27 Nm more torque, on 382 cc more displacement (3880 − 3498).
Against the light 3.5 AT FWD (1730 kg):
- 0–100 km/h: 10.5 s versus 11 s — 0.5 s quicker
- Top speed: 175 km/h versus 180 km/h — 5 km/h slower
- Kerb weight: 1855 kg versus 1730 kg — 125 kg heavier
- kg per hp: 1855 / 243 ≈ 7.63 kg/hp versus 1730 / 203 ≈ 8.52 kg/hp
So the larger engine buys a slightly quicker 0–100 and a better power-to-weight ratio, but not a higher measured top speed. If “more engine” in your head means a higher highway ceiling, these numbers do not support that: the 3.5 AT (both FWD and AWD) is listed at 180 km/h, the 3.9 AT at 175 km/h.
Fuel for the 3.9 AT is not measured (grade, city, highway, mixed). You cannot claim it is thirstier or more efficient than the 3.5 from this catalogue. Tank volume is the same 76 L on all versions.
Rear suspension also changes: both 3.5 AT versions are Independent, spring front and rear; the 3.9 AT is Independent, spring front and Semi-independent, spring rear (English field in the source is truncated). That is a chassis difference, not a badge difference.
Gross weight is measured only on the 3.9 AT: 2550 kg. Payload from the given pair is 2550 − 1855 = 695 kg. For both 3.5 AT lines, gross mass is not measured, so you cannot compare payload with a number.
Ground clearance is 140 mm on both 3.5 AT versions and not measured on the 3.9 AT. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version. CO2 and eco class are not measured on any version.
When the 3.9 AT is the rational pick: you want the lowest kg/hp in this set (≈7.63), the only 0–100 under 11 s (10.5), and the only listed gross weight (2550 kg). You accept not measured mpg, not measured fuel grade, not measured clearance, a 5 km/h lower top speed, 125 kg extra kerb versus FWD 3.5, and a semi-independent rear.
Chevrolet Uplander weight and AWD: the 360 kg question
The two 3.5 AT rows that share 203 hp, 298 Nm, 3498 cc, 4-speed Automatic, 11 s to 100, and 180 km/h are not the same vehicle. Drive and mass split them.
- 3.5 AT FWD: 1730 kg kerb, FWD
- 3.5 AT AWD: 2090 kg kerb, AWD
Difference: 360 kg (2090 − 1730), about 21% more kerb mass for all-wheel drive, with identical 203 hp. kg per hp:
- FWD 3.5 AT: 1730 / 203 ≈ 8.52 kg/hp
- AWD 3.5 AT: 2090 / 203 ≈ 10.30 kg/hp
That is the worst power-to-weight ratio in the catalogue. 0–100 is still listed as 11 s for both 3.5 lines — the extra mass does not show up as a slower sprint in these figures, but it does show up in mpg (next section).
Clearance is the same 140 mm. Tank is the same 76 L. Suspension labels match: Independent, spring at both ends. Front and rear brakes are Disc on every version. Fuel grade is 92 on both 3.5 lines.
When the AWD 3.5 AT is the rational pick: you need AWD and will take 360 kg extra kerb and higher listed consumption for it. It is not a more powerful 3.5; it is the same 203 hp engine carrying more mass.
When the FWD 3.5 AT is the rational pick: you want the lightest Uplander in this data (1730 kg), the lowest listed mixed consumption (11.3 L/100 km), 92 Gasoline, 140 mm clearance, and you do not need AWD. It is listed twice in the five-row table with the same numbers — treat those two rows as one car.
Versus the 3.9 AT, the FWD 3.5 AT is 125 kg lighter, 40 hp down, 0.5 s slower to 100, 5 km/h higher top speed, and it is the only FWD choice with a full mpg set.
Chevrolet Uplander mpg: FWD 3.5 versus AWD 3.5
Only the two 3.5 AT packages have fuel-use figures. The 3.9 AT city / highway / mixed values are not measured.
| Version | City | Highway | Mixed | Tank | Mixed range (76 L ÷ mixed × 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 AT FWD, 203 hp | 13.3 | 8.8 | 11.3 | 76 | ≈ 673 km |
| 3.5 AT AWD, 203 hp | 13.8 | 9.5 | 11.9 | 76 | ≈ 639 km |
| 3.9 AT FWD, 243 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | 76 | not measured |
AWD costs, on the listed figures:
- city: +0.5 L/100 km (13.8 − 13.3)
- highway: +0.7 L/100 km (9.5 − 8.8)
- mixed: +0.6 L/100 km (11.9 − 11.3)
Over 20 000 km at the mixed rates, that is about 120 L extra for AWD (0.6 × 200). Mixed range shrinks by about 34 km per tank (673 − 639). Both still use 92 Gasoline.
Do not infer 3.9 AT mpg from the 3.5 table. It is heavier than FWD 3.5 by 125 kg and more powerful by 40 hp; consumption is simply not measured.
Chevrolet Uplander dimensions, clearance, and what is not measured
Wheel sizes: not measured (all versions). Exterior length/width/height: not in this dataset. Ground clearance: 140 mm (3.5 AT FWD and AWD); not measured (3.9 AT). Tank: 76 L on every version. Gross weight: 2550 kg only on 3.9 AT; not measured on both 3.5 AT lines.
If a listing is sold on “dimensions” or tyre size, this catalogue cannot confirm it. If it is sold on weight, use 1730 / 2090 / 1855 kg as above — including for searches that name 2005–2008 specifically; those years share this generation’s figures here.
Chevrolet Uplander problems, reliability, oil type, LS, transmission
This dataset does not score problems, reliability, oil type, or transmission failure rates for 2005–2009 or any other year. Searches for those topics are common; inventing answers is not allowed.
What is measured about the gearbox: every version is Automatic with 4 speeds. There is no manual, no 5- or 6-speed, and no second transmission family to choose. “Transmission problems” cannot be mapped to one version versus another from these rows.
Oil type is not measured (including 2006 / 2007 / 2008 queries). LS as a trim is not in this data — you cannot pick “LS versus something else” on these numbers. Fuel grade is 92 only where listed (both 3.5 AT); 3.9 AT fuel grade is not measured.
Which Chevrolet Uplander version to choose
Buy the FWD 3.5 AT (203 hp) if you want the lightest kerb (1730 kg), the only complete mpg set that is also the lowest mixed figure (11.3 / 8.8 / 13.3), 92 Gasoline, 140 mm clearance, 180 km/h, and 0–100 in 11 s. It is the default family Minivan in this generation. The duplicate FWD 3.5 AT row is the same spec sheet.
Buy the AWD 3.5 AT (203 hp) only for AWD. You keep the same 203 hp, 298 Nm, 3498 cc, 4-speed Automatic, 11 s, 180 km/h, 140 mm, and 76 L tank, and you pay 360 kg extra kerb (2090 vs 1730) plus 0.6 L/100 km extra mixed (11.9 vs 11.3). kg/hp is the worst here (≈10.30). It is not a faster 3.5.
Buy the 3.9 AT (243 hp) if the extra 40 hp and 27 Nm, the best kg/hp (≈7.63), 10.5 s to 100, and a listed gross of 2550 kg (≈695 kg above 1855 kg kerb) matter more than mpg you cannot see. You give up 5 km/h of top speed versus the 3.5, add 125 kg versus FWD 3.5, accept a Semi-independent, spring rear, and accept not measured fuel grade, mpg, and clearance.
Do not buy “a newer generation.” There is one generation (2004–2010). A 2008 Chevrolet Uplander in this catalogue is the same generation as 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009: choose among 3.5 AT FWD, 3.5 AT AWD, and 3.9 AT FWD, not among model years.
Short arithmetic recap
- Power spread: 203 vs 243 hp (Δ 40).
- Mass spread: 1730 vs 1855 vs 2090 kg.
- AWD premium on the 3.5: +360 kg, +0.6 L/100 km mixed, same 203 hp.
- 3.9 vs FWD 3.5: +125 kg, +40 hp, −0.5 s to 100, −5 km/h top speed, mpg not measured.
- Specific output: ≈58.0 hp/L (3.5) vs ≈62.6 hp/L (3.9).
- kg/hp: ≈8.52 (FWD 3.5), ≈7.63 (3.9), ≈10.30 (AWD 3.5).
That ranking is the buying order if you weight performance per kilogram: 3.9 AT, then FWD 3.5 AT, then AWD 3.5 AT. If you weight measured economy and kerb, reverse the last two and drop the 3.9 AT until someone measures its mpg.