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The Saturn Vue has some zip in the form of a slick 250-horsepower V-6 from Honda. For this year, the interior has been updated with a new radio, revised center stack and spicier trim finishes.

The test car was the sporty Red Line model with 18-inch wheels, lower ride height and aerodynamic bodywork. The electronic power steering is reconfigured to give it better road feel. The sticker price was $28,930.

Red Line models have a monochromatic paint scheme. Door handles and rearview mirrors are painted the same color as the rest of the body. The front fascia is deep and square, and the grille outlets are filled with black mesh.

The Vue looks good, especially with the 18-inch wheels. The new interior raises the Vue’s profile considerably. The Red Line’s leather seats are not only handsome but also quite comfortable. The gauges look elegant and the brushed-silver trim is coated with a clear finish that makes it look rich. Tiny bits of chrome trim add accents.

One thing I don’t like is the placement of the power window buttons and rearview mirror control on the center console.

While a performance-oriented Red Line might seem like a contradiction for an SUV, it’s not quite as puzzling as it might sound. Few, if any, small SUVs ever travel off road, and in the city most drivers like to feel some energy under their right foot.

The Honda powertrain also boosts the Vue’s towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, and that’s enough for a small camper, watercraft or motorcycle trailer.

Saturn says the Vue can be “flat towed,” meaning that hauling it behind an RV will not cause mechanical damage.

A sharp and choppy ride is one of the downsides to the 18-inch wheels, wide tires and sports suspension. And the choppy ride is accompanied by a fair amount of noise.

The Vue seats five people, although the back seat is not overly generous. The split-folding back seat gives a variety of options for hauling cargo.

The test car had heated seats, satellite radio and power sunroof. The satellite radio requires a monthly fee. Three audio systems are offered. Two are capable of playing CDs with MP3 files, while the other can play a CD or DVD with MP3 files. MP3 files enable more music to be recorded onto a single disc.

An optional rear-seat DVD system will include wireless headphones so rear passengers can listen to a CD or watch a movie while front-seat passengers use the car’s regular audio system.

Saturns have long been known for their dent- and rust-free plastic body panels, but these panels can’t be made to fit as tightly as metal ones. There are sizable gaps around the doors and tailgate, and that doesn’t promote a quality look. I expect the next Saturns will have all-metal bodies for that reason.

Price

The base price of the test car was $23,045. Options included the Red Line package for $2,495, heated leather seats, power sunroof, side-curtain airbags and XM satellite radio. The sticker price was $28,930.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

Engine: 3.5-liter, 250-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

All-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Curb weight: 3,241 lbs.

Base price: $23,045

As driven: $28,930

Mpg rating: 19 city, 25 highway At A Glance

Point: The Vue Red Line’s Honda V-6 is smooth and powerful. The tight suspension and big wheels give responsive handling. The interior has been given a major upgrade in feel and equipment. Plastic body panels resist rust and parking lot dents.

Counterpoint: The ride is pretty choppy, the cabin is relatively noisy and the power window buttons are located on the console. Gaps around doors are noticeably wide.