2008 Saturn Vue Green Line

Saturn’s sport-utility vehicle gets a green connection
By Nina Russin

2008 Saturn Vue Green Line

The Saturn Vue is a right-size sport-utility vehicle that holds enough gear to satisfy buyers with active lifestyles, yet can fit into the average parking spot. The second-generation model that rolled out last year comes with either front or all-wheel drive, and includes a hybrid grade that utilizes an electric generator to save gas.

Average fuel economy for the Vue Green Line is 28 miles-per gallon: a twenty percent improvement over the four-cylinder XE. Later this year, Saturn will unveil a second hybrid model based on the same two-mode system as the Chevy Tahoe hybrid.

Priced under $25,000, the Vue Green Line comes with a full-roster of standard safety features, including front, side and side curtain airbags, stability and traction control, four-channel antilock brakes, tire pressure monitoring and active head restraints.  OnStar with a one-year subscription to the basic service package automatically notifies emergency personnel whenever the airbags deploy, and can also unlock the car remotely.

An optional towing prep package allows the Vue to tow up to 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV standards. Standard convenience features include automatic climate control, a six-speaker, MP3 compatible audio system with a three-month free subscription to XM satellite radio, cruise control, remote keyless entry and redundant steering wheel controls.

Road trip and heat soak test

Three things set well-engineered hybrids apart from the crowd: fuel economy, acceleration, and air conditioner performance. I decided to put the Vue to the test with a two hundred mile road trip between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona in the middle of the summer heat. 

The Vue is a fairly heavy car: curb weight is 3789 pounds. That’s a lot of inertia for a four-cylinder engine to overcome, especially when accelerating from a stop. A thirty mile construction zone on the interstate ensured that we would be doing a lot of stopping and starting.

Hybrids achieve peak fuel economy when power demands are low, but that isn’t the real world. I wanted to minimize steady-state cruising in favor of manic weaving and jackrabbit starts that are the bread and butter of urban commuting.

The road between Phoenix and Tucson climbs a thousand feet: not enough to be noticeable over a hundred miles, but plenty to impact fuel economy. Despite dense traffic and a strong westerly wind, the Vue made it to our destination using about a quarter tank of gas. Fuel economy was twenty-six miles-per-gallon, the minimum EPA estimate for highway driving. Power during acceleration was excellent: the Vue performed more like a six-cylinder car than a four-cylinder.

The four-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly, with no obvious hunting or downshifting. A fully independent suspension provided a compliant ride while maintaining an excellent on-center feel when I had to make quick lane changes on the highway. Visibility around the car was excellent: I noticed no obvious blind spots while driving or parallel parking.

Once in Tucson, we had a chance to test the air conditioner. The Vue has a mechanical air conditioning compressor that’s driven off the engine. When the engine shuts off at idle to conserve gas, the compressor shuts off as well. Though it wouldn’t be noticeable in average weather, the hot June afternoon made stops at traffic lights uncomfortable. Turning the air conditioner on recirculate helped, but it didn’t completely eradicate the problem.

Driving around Tucson that night, the Vue’s fuel economy was well within the EPA estimates. I also had the chance to drive the car early in the morning with the air conditioner off. In this mode, the car reverts to “eco” mode more frequently. The fuel supply shuts off earlier than normal in the deceleration cycle to save gas.

The return trip involved a net descent of a thousand feet, improving the Vue’s average fuel economy significantly. The entire trip, including forty miles of city driving consumed nine gallons of gas: an average of twenty-seven miles-per-gallon.

Spacious interior

One of the things that impresses me about the Green Line is its high level of standard convenience features. The test car has no option upgrades, nor does it need them. The standard cloth upholstery is practical and attractive. Manual adjustments on the driver and front passengers seats are easy to use. The driver’s seat has an adjustable lumbar support.

Redundant audio controls on the steering wheel minimize driver distraction. Audio and automatic temperature controls in the center stack are easy to reach from either front seating position. The floor console contains two large cupholders large enough for water bottles; the front doors have map pockets and bottle holders as well.

A generous-sized glovebox can easily hold a small pack or purse. A well-designed storage bin in the center console has a narrow shelf for portable electronic devices and a deeper bin for compact discs. There is one 12-volt power point: on the front of the center console bin. There is also a small shelf at the base of the center stack, and a small bin overhead for holding sunglasses or a garage door opener. Both rows of passengers get overhead reading lamps.

The second row has enough head and legroom for smaller adults, though tall men may feel a bit cramped. A small storage bin and two cupholders pop out from the back of the center console bin. A fold-down armrest includes a shallow bin for storing electronic devices. The second-row seats fold flat by releasing a lever on the outside of the seatbacks, but I needed to remove the headrests to clear the front seats.

A standard rear wiper keeps the glass clean in rain or snow. The cargo floor includes four tie-down loops for larger items. While there is plenty of room with the second-row seats in place for luggage, the seats need to be folded flat to hold bicycles and other large gear. Roof rails would have been a nice addition for active buyers.

Base price on the Vue Green Line is $24,170; $24,795 including the delivery charge. The Vue Green Line is a good choice for buyers who need more cargo space than compact sport-utility vehicles provide, but need to watch their fuel budgets as well. Though the hybrid isn’t available as an all-wheel drive model, seven inches of ground clearance is plenty for clearing the occasional boulder or tree roots on dirt roads.

Saturn’s new hybrid is currently available for test drives at dealerships nationwide.

Likes: A reasonably priced, well equipped sport-utility vehicle with a spacious cargo area and excellent fuel economy.

Dislikes: Air conditioner shuts off when the car is idling, which can be a problem in extreme heat.

Quick facts:

Make: Saturn
Model: Vue Green Line
Year: 2008
Base Price: $24,170
Horsepower: 172 Hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 167 lbs.-ft @ 4500 rpm
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: Not available
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Off-road: No
Towing: Yes
Fuel economy: 25/32 mpg city/highway

2008 Saturn VUE Red Line FWD

The second-generation Saturn VUE raises the bar in every dimension.
By Nina Russin

2008 Saturn VUE

I have come to expect great things from Jill Lajdziak. Saturn’s General Manager, who’s been with the company since the onset, is one of the few women to have thrived and prospered in this male-dominated industry. When Lajdziak announced that Saturn was entering a new era at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, I knew that the company had raised its internal bar.

The Saturn Aura, Sky, and Outlook, are all members of Saturn’s new generation. The new Saturn VUE five-seat crossover is further evidence of how far the automaker has come. It is so much better than the car it replaces that it almost seems as if it was designed and engineered by a whole new company.

The Red Line is the sportiest grade, combing a 257-horsepower V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Designers spiced up the exterior with ground effects, chrome exhaust tips and eighteen-inch wheels. Inside, the Red Line has unique leather trim: black with suede inserts and bright red stitching.

The Red Line’s real beauty is in its handling: supple and responsive at all speeds. The new VUE feels like a European sports car. It has strong, linear acceleration and braking, exceptional steering response, and a firm, yet comfortable suspension.

Urban jungle

During my week-long test drive, I had a chance to take the VUE through plenty of urban traffic, including some extensive road construction in the Phoenix metro area. After years of denying its urban sprawl, the city has finally decided to construct light rail between the university, airport, and downtown areas. The path of the future rail line reminds me of driving in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where the potholes are large enough to swallow an axle, assuming there’s any pavement at all.

The upside of the project is that streets in bad repair are hard to find here. The winters aren’t harsh enough to cause frost heaves, and there’s no salt. The roads are so smooth that manufacturers have to replicate bad roads in the Midwest at their proving grounds. Unlike the proving grounds, the construction zone near Sky Harbor Airport is open to the public. And it’s easily capable of bending a rim or cracking an axle.

Not only was the VUE tough enough to skate over the surface with no damage, the steering provided excellent response through the makeshift autocross of orange cones and wood barriers. Except for a little more dirt on the fenders, the car was no worse for wear.

The VUE is small enough to shoe into most metered spots on the street, and the average parking lot slot. The forty-foot turning radius is adequate to make the occasional U-turn. Visibility is excellent all the way around the car. A wiper on the rear window will be a welcome feature for buyers living in the snow belt.

The test car is front-wheel drive: adequate to drive over the average graded dirt road, but lacking the traction to meet our ALV off-road standards. Buyers who want to stray further off the beaten path should consider the all-wheel drive model. The VUE has7.8-inches of ground clearance: enough to clear most obstacles on the average trail.

Stabilizer bars front and rear keep the VUE flat through the turns. Powering through a cloverleaf at speed is a pleasure. The eighteen-inch wheels on the Red Line are two inches larger than the standard issue, and give the car a larger, more stable footprint. Standard rack-and-pinion steering has excellent on-center feel, and the four-wheel independent suspension provides a supple but sporty ride.

Stylish interior

Inside, the Red Line is stylish yet versatile. The leather and suede seats are comfortable and easy to adjust. The suede doesn’t get as hot in warm weather as leather would. Controls for the seat heaters are located in the center console.

The steering wheel has redundant audio and cruise control knobs, so the driver can make changes without distraction. Gauges are bright and easy to read.

There are three, 12-volt power points: two in the center console and one on the right side of the cargo area. Each row of passengers gets two large cupholders. The front doors have map pockets with integrated bottle holders, while the rear doors have map pockets.

The audio system on the Red Line model comes with XM radio: a boon for anybody who makes frequent road trips, or has a long commute. The audio and temperature controls are easy to reach from either front seating position.

The center console bin is large enough to hold a bunch of CDs: a small shelf on top holds a cell phone or PDA. I liked the small shelf underneath the audio system. It’s just the right size for a cell phone or MP3 player. All cars have a standard MP3 jack on the instrument panel. The glovebox is quite large. It can easily hold a purse or small pack.

The second-row seats have plenty of head and legroom, although two passengers will be more comfortable than three. The 60/40 split seats are easy to fold flat by releasing a single lever to the outside of the seatback. It’s not necessary to remove the headrest to fold the seat flat, so the VUE easily meets out bike friendly standards.

The spacious cargo area has four tie-down loops on the floor and several more on the seatbacks, as well as a cargo net for securing smaller items. The spare and jack are located under the cargo floor. There are two mid-sized bins on either side of the cargo floor for holding smaller items. Roof rails are standard on the test car. The V6 VUE can tow up to 3500 pounds, meeting our minimum ALV standards.

Standard safety

Standard safety features on the VUE include StabiliTrak with integrated electronic trailer sway control, collapsible pedals, active head restraints, a rollover sensing system, antilock brakes, front, side and side curtain airbags. The VUE comes with a year of free OnStar, which automatically notifies medical personnel and the police in the event of a crash.

The Red Line is currently rolling into dealerships nationwide. Priced at $27,395, it is an ALV best value. Buyers looking for a competitively priced, mid-sized SUV will be pleasantly surprised by the 2008 Saturn VUE.

Likes: Stylish inside and out, with excellent road manners and a versatile cargo area. The new Saturn VUE is a lot of car for the money.

Dislikes: None

Quick facts:

Base price: $26,770
Price as tested: $27,395
Horsepower: 257 Hp @ 6500 r.p.m.
Torque: 248 lbs.-ft @ 2100 r.p.m.
0 to 60: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: No
Towing: Yes
Off-road: No
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Fuel economy: Pending

2007 Saturn Outlook

Saturn’s newest crossover vehicle seats eight.
By Nina Russin

2007 Saturn Outlook

I’ve always been a fan of the Saturn concept: a company that was, from the start, managed and directed by women. Since women account for over half of new-car sales, it only makes sense that women should have a say in what rolls into the showroom.

Saturn general manager, Jill Lajdziak, has been with the company since the get-go, and she’s been a huge proponent of making both the vehicles and the buying experience enticing to women. The fact that Saturn was the first GM brand to introduce no-haggle pricing is no accident.

As much as I love the concept, I haven’t always been a fan of Saturn cars. The earliest models had inconsistent fit and finish, and sluggish performance. Over the years, Saturn  improved both its drivetrains and body structure, but struggled to match the quality of competitors such as Honda and Toyota.

All of that changes with the new Outlook: an eight-passenger crossover vehicle that rolls into dealerships this spring. Not only is the Outlook the biggest Saturn vehicle introduced to date, but in my opinion, the best.

 Even on the pre-production model I drove, the fit and finish was superb, engine acceleration more than adequate, transmission shifts smooth, and steering response nimble. The Outlook was designed to be an affordable option for families needing to haul multiple passengers and their gear over varied terrain. With pricing starting under $30,000, and available all-wheel drive, Saturn’s newest active lifestyle vehicle is an exceptional package.

Two states, three cities, and a thousand miles in four days

I had the Outlook over the Christmas holiday: a hectic week that included a trip to visit the in-laws down south, and a two-day out-and-back drive from Phoenix to San Diego for the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards presentation at the auto show.

I opted to drive the front-wheel drive base model ($27,255) equipped with two options: a six way power driver’s seat and roof rails ($505) and special paint ($395). Standard features include dual-zone and rear heating and air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, MP3 compatible stereo with an in-dash CD player, power windows and door locks. The Outlook is also well-equipped, with safety features including stability control, front, side and side curtain airbags, antilock braking and traction control.

All models are powered by a V-6 engine rated at 270 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission that optimizes both power and fuel economy. While many V-6 engines struggle on steep inclines, this one does not. There was a conspicuous absence of downshifts going into the mountains as we approached San Diego on the 8 freeway from the east. Passing was a non-issue.

Despite its size, the Outlook has excellent steering response at all speeds. There is a good on-center feel on the highway, making it easy to weave through traffic. The brakes feel solid without being grabby, and the standard eighteen-inch wheels give the Outlook a nice wide footprint for cornering. The suspension is compliant but not overly soft.

A wrap-around rear window is a nice change from the thick rear D-pillar on so many sport-utility vehicles, and it also helps to eliminate rear blind spots. Also notable is the Outlook’s stability. Driving east out of San Diego, we followed a cold front that brought rain and strong winds. The vehicle’s relatively wide track and low center of gravity was very apparent: there was no feeling of instability, even on wet pavement in high-wind conditions.

A spacious, versatile interior.

Three rows of standard seating is one of many features to love about the Outlook’s interior. The second-row seats have a new “smart slide” feature that makes it easier to access the third row. One lever flips up the seat cushion and slides the seatback forward, so passengers can have open, easy access to the back.

The test car came with the standard 60/40 split bench seats, but buyers can opt to substitute captain’s chairs instead. Both second and third-row seats fold flat to create a long, functional cargo area. Even with all three rows of seating in place, there was plenty of room for our luggage, sacks full of Christmas gifts, and a cooler full of road trip munchies. A hidden cargo area under the floor was handy when we went to the trailhead, keeping our valuables out of site.

The standard cloth upholstery is attractive and comfortable. Both the driver and front passenger seats were easy to adjust, with adequate lower lumbar support. There are two good-sized cup (or bottle) holders in the center console. There are also bottle holders and map pockets in all four doors. A covered bin in the center console is handy for storing compact discs or small electronic devices, and a small cubby at the base of the center stack holds a cell phone.

All vehicles have four standard power points, including one in the cargo area. Buyers can opt to add a 115-volt outlet. The cargo area also comes with hooks to hold an optional cargo net. A power tailgate is available on the two up-level models.

Fuel economy for the real world.

Saturn engineers spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel, fine-tuning the Outlook’s aerodynamics. They minimized the wheel opening around the tires, and used shielding to reduce aerodynamic drag under the body. Not only did these modifications minimize noise intrusion to the interior, but they yielded impressive fuel economy figures for a vehicle of this size: 18/26 miles per gallon city/highway. With recent fluctuations in fuel prices, that should ease shoppers concerns about the cost of operation. The V-6 engine has plenty of power to tow, exceeding our minimum criteria by over 1,000 pounds.

All Saturn cars come with 24-hour roadside assistance, and a year of the basic OnStar safe and sound plan.

The Outlook is being built at General Motors’ Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan. Pricing ranges from $27,255 for the XE model with front-wheel drive, to $32, 290 for the upscale XR with all-wheel drive.

Quick facts:

Base price: $27,255
Price as tested: $28,890
Horsepower: 270 Hp @ 6600 r.p.m.
Torque: 248 lbs.-ft. @ 3200 r.p.m.
0 to 60:  N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: No 
Towing: Yes
Off-road: No
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Fuel economy: 18/26 m.p.g. city/highway