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What’s new with the Vue?: Stylish and sporty, the new Saturn is anything but stodgy
Howard Elmer
The new Saturn Vue is as different from the old model as the Saturn company today is from when it was first created almost 20 years ago.
A grand experiment (from GM) to create a “different” car company spawned some very capable, innovative (and some say, boring) models sold through a network of dealers who promised not to haggle over
price. Well, some of that original framework is still in place—while a whole lot of it isn’t. The 2008 Vue is just one example of a car
company on the fast track to revitalizing its lineup and hopefully, its sales. It has introduced four new models in the past two years, including the Saturn Sky, an award winning two-seater.
While the Vue is a mid-size SUV, it does have something in common with the Sky—namely its new european inspired architecture (much of its design work comes from Opel). These designs distance themselves
from the old, stodgy Saturns of just a few years ago.
What the car company has kept from its older days is the dealer experience. They still rely heavily on a no-haggle sticker price.
This is an element of the buying process that almost every Saturn buyer of old enjoyed.
And frankly, taking the shark-like price negotiations out of the equation would probably be good for any car company. It’s what most consumers say they like least about the new car buying experience.
More model choices
The new Vue is seen as an SUV but is well on its way to being a car-based crossover. it even offers a fwd-only model and the company makes no claims about its offroad ability.
More important in this new generation of Vue is the styling and the interior comfort features. The other improvement in the Vue lineup is the increased model choices and powertrain options, including a performance model called the red Line which will be available in early 2008.
The Vue red Line will feature an aggressive front-end design with a large, lower air opening and fog lamps. The rear will have a special fascia; spoiler and chrome trapezoid exhaust tips. The suspension will be lowered and will come with standard 18-inch alloy wheels.
Lastly, the Vue has also been tapped for the hybrid treatment with a two-mode version coming in the fall. This model, called the Green Line, saves fuel by using electric power during acceleration; shutting off the engine at idle; early fuel cut-off during deceleration and collecting energy through regenerative braking.
Still, the best thing about the new Vue is it finally has some style. The new exterior is nicely sculpted and distinctively sporty.
it has large headlamps sweeping up into its profile and the tapered roof line is also a new design cue.
It’s a nice look, but frankly, this segment is already crowded so Saturn isn’t relying solely on looks to sell the Vue. They have
wisely added value to attract customers, with interior items as well as safety features. The Vue protects occupants with a highstrength
steel structure and dual-stage front air bags, front seat side air bags, and head curtain air bags covering front and rear rows standard on all models.
The Vue comes standard with GM’s OnStar and a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan. The OnStar service includes (AACN), which automatically notifies emergency services of your location in the event of an airbag deployment.
Towing power
For 2008, a towing package is available on all Vues. When properly equipped, the Vue will tow up to 1,587 kg (3,500 pounds). Standard with each tow package is another safety related system—towing stabilization.
This setup uses active braking to help control the vehicle in trailer situations. Should the vehicle sense the trailer has developed a sway or fish tailing, it can independently actuate separate brakes to bring the trailer back into line.
Old Saturns were favorites of owners of recreational vehicles, particularly those who drove large motor homes and towed Saturns behind them. The new Vue can also be towed by an RV as a dinghy vehicle, with all four wheels on the ground.
Inside, the Vue offers new layouts and a variety of details, such as optional leather seats, flat-woven fabrics, soft-touch plastics
with embossed grains and new colour combinations.
The centre stack, air vents and instrument clusters use chrome accents against lowgloss material and are backlit with a calm amber lighting I found appealing.
Another point of interest is the attention to personal storage space in the Vue, particularly in the front where the oversized glove box is big enough to hold a purse. There’s also a sliding storage bin under the front passenger seat. The rear folding armrest also has inside storage. For larger items, the rear 60/40 split seat folds flat and there’s a cargo management system using imbedded rails to accommodate storage nets.
For power, the base XE FWD Vue and the Green Line come with the GM 2.4-litre Ecotec engine making 169 horsepower and 161 lb. ft. of torque. These two vehicles use the Hydra-Matic four speed automatic
transmission.
All-wheel-drive Vue’s come with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 222 horsepower and 219 lb. ft. of torque. This will probably be the most common engine and one that I found to have good low-end torque
for quick pickup and strong acceleration through the powerband.
The Vue XR and the coming Red Line get a dual overhead cam 3.6-litre V6 with variable valve timing (VVT) that bumps up the horsepower to 257 and the torque to 248 lb. ft. All Vue models equipped with V6
engines use the new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of pricing, the base model starts at $26,990 for the front-wheel-drive XE model and moves up to $31,275 for the all-wheel-drive XE model. In the up-level XR trim, the FWD model begins at $31,335, and the all-wheel-drive at $33,920. The performance orientated Red Line (when available) will start at $36,020 for the front-wheel-drive
and $38,605 for the all-wheel-drive model. Pricing for the hybrid Green Line will be available closer to its introduction date this
fall. fm
Howard Elmer is a freelance automotive and powersport journalist based in Brampton, Ont.
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