On paper, this optional engine should be a significant improvement. It will generate 240 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, compared with 201 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque for the standard 3.5-liter V6. (All-wheel-drive versions generate slightly less power.) The upgrade will transform Uplander from one of the least powerful minivans available to one of the most powerful.

Moreover, GM continues to take conventional overhead-valve engine technology to new heights. The 3.9-liter V6 will be the first cam-in-block engine with fully variable valve timing. This technology should deliver a nice, broad power curve, with lots of acceleration-producing torque at all engine speeds. It should also help optimize fuel mileage. We expect the bigger engine will deliver real-world mileage comparable to the standard V6.

The Uplander LT we tested was equipped with full-time all-wheel drive. In climates where snow, slush or icy roads are a fact of life, we highly recommend it. GM's VersaTrak system adds relatively little weight to the vehicle, and it can do things some similar systems can't. When the Uplander's front wheels lose traction, VersaTrak automatically shifts engine power to the rear wheels, increasing the odds of continued forward mobility. Yet it can also shift power from side to side between the rear wheels. If the inside wheel encounters slush build-up near the edge of the road, for example, VersaTrak sends power to the outside wheel with grip.

StabiliTrak, GM's electronic stability control, is also available, but buyers must choose between the stability system and all-wheel drive. StabiliTrak is only offered on front-drive Uplanders. In the northeast or mountain states, we'd choose the all-wheel drive. It brings a slight penalty in fuel mileage (about 1 mpg), but in the right climate it's well worth it. StabiliTrak helps prevent skidding in corners on wet or slippery conditions or on dry pavement.

The standard 3.5-liter V6 is the Uplander's most obvious weakness when compared with the best minivans. Its old-fashioned cast-iron engine block dates back decades. That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, but it doesn't offer the power of the competition's engines.

At interstate speeds the 3.5-liter V6 is smooth and quiet, and there's enough quick-burst acceleration for safe merging onto busy freeways. The engine is aided by first-rate performance from the automatic transmission. GM makes some of the best automatics anywhere, and while the Uplander's has four speeds (compared to five in some competitors), it responds quickly and appropriately to the driver's commands via the gas pedal. Shift quality (smoothness) is as good as it gets.

That said, the Uplander's 3.5-liter V6 isn't likely to stir much emotion, and we wouldn't relish the thought of towing something at the rated capacity of 3500 pounds. In short, Uplander's engine delivers less horsepower and torque than any in the class, and it's noticeable on the road. It simply can't match the power, smoothness or fuel economy of the overhead cam engines in some competitors, nor the torque of cam-in-block engines in others. The engine more or less sets the tone for Uplander's driving dynamics in general.

Handling is reminiscent of old-school GM. This is no doubt by design, because GM is perfectly capable of building vehicles with a more contemporary ride-handling balance. In other words, Chevy thinks Uplander buyers want a soft ride and side-to-side sway in any corner taken faster than parking-lot speed. We prefer more responsive handling and don't mind putting up with a little road vibration to get it. Uplander's steering has too much power assist for our taste, and it feels numb. This minivan will eventually turn, but sometimes it seems it doesn't want to. While the ride is soft, the suspension can also be loud and clunky on rough surfaces. Uplander simply does not respond as crisply as some other minivans, though some drivers may appreciate the softer ride and never know the handling difference.

Uplander's anti-lock braking system works great. It keeps the brakes precisely at the point of lockup without any shuddering through the pedal, and stops this minivan as quickly as possible while leaving the driver full directional control.

The 25-gallon fuel tank is another plus. Based on our real-world mileage figures, highway range of more than 550 miles is within reach.