2008 Saturn Vue: What's New

Vehicle Overview
With power players like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the compact SUV segment is a competitive place to sell cars. Saturn’s Vue SUV is the automaker’s second-best-selling model, but it hasn’t had the high-volume sales of its key competitors. Now in its second generation, the SUV has been completely redesigned and appears better equipped to challenge the established category leaders.

The five-seat 2008 Vue is available in base XE, uplevel XR, performance Red Line and hybrid Green Line trims. The Green Line is covered in a separate report in the Research section. Buyers get a choice of three conventional gas engines or a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions of regular models are offered; the hybrid comes only with front-wheel drive.

Exterior
I’ve never been a fan of the first-generation Vue’s blocky looks, but I like what Saturn has done with the 2008 model. The front end is much sleeker than before, and the roofline arcs downward slightly toward the rear, where the forward-swept D-pillar lends some sportiness. Modest fender flares provide subtle detailing, and the Vue is one of an increasing number of SUVs with ventlike appliques in the front fenders. In the Vue’s case, the fixtures house side turn-signal lights.

XE models have standard 16-inch alloy wheels, but the XR comes with 17-inch rims. The Red Line, which hasn’t been shown yet but which Saturn provided information on, gets 18-inch wheels and tires.

Interior
As with other recently redesigned models, like the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV and Buick Lucerne passenger car, GM has crafted a classy cabin for the Vue. The chrome-ringed air vents are very Audi-esque, and Saturn says the glove box is large enough to hold a medium-sized purse. There’s also a sliding bin underneath the front passenger seat for odds and ends. Cloth seating surfaces are standard; leather seats are optional.

Folding the 60/40-split rear seats expands the cargo area’s 26.5 cubic feet of space to 54.3 cubic feet, but these seats don’t slide fore and aft like those in the RAV4. The backrest of the front passenger seat can fold flat so long items, like two-by-fours, can be carried inside the cabin.

Available options include an eight-way power driver’s seat, automatic air conditioning and a navigation system. Rain-sensing windshield wipers, a heated windshield washer system and remote start are part of a convenience package.

Under the Hood
The front-wheel-drive XE uses a 164-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that drives a four-speed automatic; a five-speed manual transmission will become available in calendar 2008. All-wheel-drive XEs have a 215-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, while the XR and Red Line feature a 250-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. V-6-powered Vues have a six-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder Vue can tow up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, while V-6 models are rated to pull up to 3,500 pounds.

Safety
Antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and an electronic stability system are standard. The Vue also has GM’s rollover-mitigation system, which can fire the side curtain airbags and brake the outside wheels if it determines that the vehicle might roll over.