In the Warner Bros. Edition, the third bench also is replaced by three captain's chairs, for a total of seven. Another arrangement as an option on LS or LT adds a third captain's chair on the second row, for eight in all. Warner Bros. A new optional device for Venture aids a driver when parking by warning about objects in the minivan's rearward path. Sensors in back locate an object behind Venture and determine its proximity to the bumper. Audio and visual signals warn when the object is detected, then increase in frequency as the vehicle approaches in reverse.
Venture turns on a brief radius and maneuvers well through traffic or parks easily in a tight space.
Rack and pinion steering with power assistance responds quickly, and brakes with front discs and rear drums linked to an anti-lock system deliver precise control. The engine connects to a smooth-shifting electronic automatic transmission with four forward gears. Venture's price structure looks good too. Bob Plunkett has been reviewing automobiles for more than 20 years. His articles regularly appear in newspapers and magazines around the country.