Weekend Athlete Looks at the 2008 GM Lineup

This is probably my favorite feature. I always want a way to secure a bike wheel or something in the hold, but often have to improvise. The Saturn Outlook and Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi had the tie-downs already built into the rear cargo area. Now, sure, I’d need to bring my bike and gear to determine if they were put in EXACTLY the right place for me, but I’m just happy someone thought to put them in the cargo area in the first place.

Easy seat actuation

I flopped the second-row seats in everything I could get my hands on — the Pontiac Torrent GXP, Saturn Outlook, Saturn Vue, Chevrolet HHR Panel, Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi — and EVERYTHING went up or down intuitively and — best of all — could be done with one hand. You just flip the lever on the upper side of the second-row seat. Yes, you still have to run to the side doors to flop the seats upright … unless you have …

I only saw this on the Saturn Outlook, but it should be on more vehicles: Straps that attach to the back of the third row. If you need to raise the seat, you just have to lean in a bit from the rear (not a huge amount), tug on the strap and, voila, the second seat is upright. No running around to the side of the vehicle. A very nice — and absurdly simple — touch. It’d be great on rainy or snowy days.

Tall cargo hatches

I’m about 6-foot-1 and I fit easily under nearly every vehicle‘s tailgate (Outlook, Torrent, Vue and 9-3). My favorite hatch was the Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s, because that car sits lowest to the ground, but the roof still opens quite tall. There’s a nice handhold, too, so I think even shorter people would be OK with the hatch opening.

OK, you caught me. Only one vehicle I got my hands on — the Chevrolet HHR Panel Van — had this feature, but I’m including it anyway. Why? Because whether you’re a jock, a gardener, a parent or just a slob, we’ve all had some greasy, slimy or smelly thing we have to carry, and an easy-clean area is the answer. Sure you can put down a tarp or whatever, but simply chucking the grimy gear in and cleaning up later is the simplest answer. More cars should offer such a thing.