Chevrolet · 1989–1996

Chevrolet Lumina APV

The Chevrolet Lumina APV is a minivan that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Launched as the first front-wheel drive minivan sold by Chevrolet, the Lumina APV was sold in a single generation from the 1990 to 1996 model years. Marketed alongside the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette, the Lumina APV competed against the Dodge Grand Caravan/Plymouth Grand Voyager, the extended-length Ford Aerostar, and the Mazda MPV. Introduced a year before the second-generation Chrysler minivans, the Lumina APV was the first American-market minivan to adopt the form factor of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Though manufactured on a model-specific chassis, the Lumina APV was front-wheel drive, deriving its powertrain from GM sedans. While longer than the Chevrolet Astro, the passenger-oriented Lumina APV was smaller inside and had a lower weight rating. During its production, the Lumina APV and its Pontiac and Oldsmobile counterparts were assembled at the North Tarrytown Assembly facility, becoming the final vehicles produced there prior to its closure. For 1997, Chevrolet adopted a distinct nameplate for its front-wheel drive minivan, replacing the Lumina APV with the Chevrolet Venture.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Chevrolet Celebrity · Successor: Chevrolet Venture

All Chevrolet Lumina APV data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Background

In response to the first-generation Chrysler minivans, General Motors introduced the rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Astro (and GMC Safari) for the 1985 model year. Sized closely to the short-wheelbase Chevrolet Van, the Astro was marketed in both passenger and cargo van configurations. In 1986, GM unveiled the Pontiac Trans Sport concept vehicle, largely serving as a preview of the APV model lines. While far more radical in body design, the 1986 Trans Sport concept was the first minivan to adopt the front-wheel drive form factor used by the Chrysler minivans. This concept would eventually be put into production as the first-generation GMT199 (U) platform minivans, although some design elements from the concept were not utilized on the production models. In contrast to the Astro/Safari, which used a variety of components from Chevrolet/GMC light trucks, the front-wheel drive GMT199 platform (also known as the U platform) was dedicated to the Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile minivans, sharing primarily engines and transmissions with other GM vehicles. In place of the official GMT199 platform designation, GM began to use the APV name, standing for All Purpose Vehicle. Chevrolet would receive the Lumina APV, Oldsmobile would receive the Silhouette, and Pontiac adopted the Trans Sport name from the 1986 concept van. During its development, the APV model lines largely benchmarked the extended-length Chrysler vans, closely matching their length, width, and height (on a shorter wheelbase). To expand its market potential (and to mitigate any potential model overlap), GM sought to make distinct marketing objectives for each model lines. The Lumina APV was to compete directly with the higher-volume Voyager/Caravan, serving as a "volume leader", the Trans Sport was to be the sporty m

Model overview

At the time of its 1990 release, the Lumina APV was marketed as a bodystyle of the Chevrolet Lumina model line. For the 1989 model year, Chevrolet introduced the Lumina, effectively consolidating the Celebrity and Monte Carlo into a single model line, with the Lumina APV replacing the Celebrity station wagon. At its 1990 introduction, the Lumina APV was offered in two trim levels; a base trim and an up-level CL trim. There was also the Chevrolet APV cargo van, a two-seater commercial vehicle. Base-trim versions featured red exterior trim while CL versions were produced with chrome exterior trim. For 1993, the CL trim was renamed LS; the Lumina APV badging was removed from the doors. For 1994, the model underwent a mid-cycle revision and was renamed the Chevrolet Lumina Minivan (in place of the APV suffix). The final vans rolled off the assembly line on June 27, 1996. Chassis specification. The Chevrolet Lumina APV is a GM U-body vehicle, using the GMT199 platform designation. In contrast to the unibody design used by the Astro/Safari and the Van/Vandura, the Lumina APV chassis uses a chassis design similar to the Pontiac Fiero and Saturn SL, with a galvanized steel spaceframe supporting exterior body panels. The Lumina APV has a 109.8 inch wheelbase, sized between the Lumina sedan/coupe and the Astro/Safari. In line with the Chrysler minivans, the Lumina APV was fitted with independent front suspension with MacPherson struts. The rear beam axle was fitted with coil springs (the only other minivan besides the Ford Aerostar and Renault Espace at the time). As an option, Chevrolet offered the Lumina APV with load-leveling rear air springs, utilizing the air compressor that inflated the rear air springs for auxiliary use with an air hose kit. The front brakes were vented

Variants

=== Cargo van === From mid-1990 to 1996, Chevrolet produced the Lumina APV as a cargo van, known simply as APV (no Lumina badging was used on the exterior). Slotted below the Astro/Safari, the cargo van competed against the Grand Caravan C/V. While sharing an identical body with its passenger-van counterpart, Chevrolet deleted the rear interior of the cargo van to include a flat rubber-mat floor; the rear glass windows were replaced by body-color plastic panels bonded in place. The cargo space held 133 cubic feet (3.8 m3) and the max cargo capacity was 1,135 pounds (515 kg). Of the three GMT199/APV vans, only Chevrolet offered a cargo van configuration. Chinese clone. Chevrolet marketed the Lumina APV in China from 1993 to 1996, selling a number of examples in the country. In 1996, Jiangsu Nushen Automobile (Nushen) debuted the Nushen JB6500. While nearly identical in dimensions and exterior design, the JB6500 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, powered by an 87 hp (64 kW) Chrysler-designed 2.2-liter inline-four, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. In 2001, Nushen ended production of the JB6500.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Chevrolet Lumina APV
aka: Chevrolet Lumina Minivan (1994–1996)
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Production: 1989–June 27, 1996
Class: Minivan
Transmission: 3-speed 3T40 automatic , 4-speed 4T60-E automatic
Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform: GM U platform: GMT199
Body style: 3-door van
Engine: 3.1 L LG6 V6, 3.4 L LA1 V6, 3.8 L L27 V6
Length: 1990–93: 194.2 in, 1993–96: 191.5 in
Wheelbase: 109.8 in
Width: 73.9 in
Height: 1990–92: 65.2 in, 1993–97: 65.7 in
Kerb weight: 3599–3899 lb (1632–1769 kg)
Predecessor: Chevrolet Celebrity (station wagon)
Successor: Chevrolet Venture
Assembly: North Tarrytown, New York, U.S.
Related: Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Trans Sport
Designer: Dick Ruzzin

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1071229CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Lumina_APVCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1362284357 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChevroletLuminaAPV.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.