First Glance
Larger exterior photos: Front rearThe outgoing Vue, with its boxy shape and distinctive face, was one of the most easily recognizable CUVs on the road. The unique look is gone, and the Vue now blends in with GM's other small crossovers such as the Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, and Suzuki XL7. At first glance, I figured the Vue was simply a rebadged version of these venerable CUVs. I was wrong. Way wrong.
Many of Saturn's newest cars, including the Aura, Sky and Astra, have been based on vehicles designed for Opel, General Motors' European division. The Vue is no different -- it's nearly identical to the Opel Antara, though while the Antara uses a fuel-efficient diesel, the Vue gets gasoline engines better suited to American tastes.
The Vue's exterior styling is one of its highlights. It features many of the same cues as other Saturns, including sharp-edged headlights and taillights, but without all that ridiculous chrome trim. The new Vue is the best-looking vehicle on the Saturn dealer's forecourt.
Pricing is attractive, too: The Vue starts at $21,395 for the four-cylinder XE and ranges up to $29,395 for the leather-lined all-wheel-drive Vue Red Line. GM notes that while small CUVs used to be a "pass-though" segment (a class of vehicle that people would eventually trade in on something bigger), more and more people are returning to buy another small CUV -- hence the reason you'll find inexpensive entry-level Vues alongside pricier models with options such as leather seats, a navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic climate control.
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In the Driver's Seat
Inside, the Vue has the same general feel as other GM SUVs, and that's a good thing: The controls are simple to use, legibly labeled, and well laid out. The design isn't particularly exciting, but the plastics and fabrics are of good quality. I found the driving position comfortable and visibility excellent; from behind the wheel the Vue feels much bigger than it is, yet its relatively compact dimensions make it easy to maneuver and park. The back seat is roomy but firm and thinly padded; I thought the ride was bumpier and less comfortable in the back seat than in the front.
While many small crossovers try to squeeze in a third-row seat -- you know the clichŽ about trying to stuff 10 lbs of manure into a 5-lb bag -- the Saturn Vue is kind enough to know its place as a 5-seater with a nice big cargo bay. Here you'll find another advantage of the Vue's Germanic roots: Europeans are mavens about securing cargo, and the Vue includes tracks and moveable tie-downs. Flying luggage can cause massive injury in a crash, making this a safety feature every bit as important as the Vue's six standard airbags, antilock brakes and StabiliTrak electronic stability control system.
Speaking of StabiliTrak, on Vues equipped with a towing package -- the Vue can tow up to 3,500 lbs -- StabiliTrak can detect trailer sway and apply the brakes to help the driver regain control. OnStar is standard, along with a 1-year subscription to the Safe and Sound plan which, among other things, automatically phones an OnStar representative in the event of an airbag deployment.
On the Road
The Vue is available with three powertrains. XE models get either a 169 horsepower 2.4 liter four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic and front-wheel-drive or a 222 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive. XR and Red Line get a 257 horsepower 3.6 liter V6, 6-speed automatic, and front- or all-wheel-drive -- the same powertrain used in the bigger Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
I drove a Vue XR, and while the power wasn't as explosive as I expected, it was definitely overkill. EPA fuel economy estimates using the new 2008 formula (with lower but more realistic numbers), are 16 MPG city/22 MPG highway. I didn't track my actual gas mileage, but I did notice the gas gauge heading towards "E" with alarming rapidity. Estimates for the four-cylinder Vue XE are much more palatable: 19 city/26 highway. There is an even brighter light at the end of the fuel economy tunnel: the Green Line hybrid will return to the Vue lineup in fall of 2007.
Earlier I mentioned the Vue's big-SUV feel; fortunately that doesn't translate to the way the Vue drives. It's not as nimble and agile -- nor as fun to drive -- as the Subaru Forester or Mazda CX-7, but it's far more tidy than a traditional SUV. Saturn plans to crank up the fun factor with the hot-rod Vue Red Line, which has more aggressive styling and a sport-tuned suspension.
The old Vue was a favorite with motorhome owners because it required no modifications to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Good news: That feature is back; the new Vue can also be flat-towed behind an RV.
Journey's End
Unfortunately, the Vue faces some pretty stiff competition. I think it bests GM's other small CUVs, the Chevy Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Suzuki XL7, as well as Jeep's Compass. But the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are pretty stiff competitors; I prefer the latter, with its powerful yet fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine. The Hyundai Tucson is another strong contender that offers a lot of vehicle at a bargain price.
One thing that cannot be overlooked is the Saturn buying experience. Saturn's dealerships operate on a strict no-haggle policy; the price on the sticker is the price you pay. While many buyers like to haggle, I can't stand the idea of leaving a dealership with a new vehicle and wondering if I could have saved another ten bucks a month. I always thought the old Vue was a bit pricey for what you got, but the new Vue offers much better value for money. Combine the easy buying process with the Vue's other charms, and you have a small CUV that's well worth a look.
