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One of the bright spots in General Motors’ lineup in this year of high fuel prices is the Saturn Vue compact crossover utility vehicle.

Completely redesigned just last year, the Vue comes in gasoline-only and gasoline-electric hybrid versions, and later this year, as a 2009 model, there will be a second hybrid version added.

That will make the Vue the only vehicle on the market that has two different hybrid versions – one with a four-cylinder gasoline engine, and one with a V-6.

For 2009, Saturn will drop the “Green Line” name used on the 2008 and earlier hybrid models. In the future, they will be called the Vue Hybrid.

The new hybrid version uses the two-mode system that GM introduced this past year in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon full-size sport utilities, but this is the first application of this technology in a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

While the 2008 Vue Green Line comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor, an arrangement that will continue into 2009 for the base Vue Hybrid, the new two-mode model will have the same 3.6-liter V-6 engine as the Vue XR and Red Line models, but with two electric motors – one to drive the vehicle by itself at low speeds, and the other to augment the V-6 engine at highway speeds.

It will be the most-fuel-efficient V-6 hybrid on the market, GM says.

For this report, we tested the gasoline-only 2009 Red Line all-wheel drive model (base price $29,900 plus $695 freight), the top of the line.

It came with the uplevel 3.6-liter V-6 engine, with 257 horsepower and 248 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a new six-speed automatic transmission. This drivetrain combination also is standard in the midlevel XR model.

The Vue’s new exterior design has a European flavor in keeping with the recent Saturn renaissance as General Motors Corp. moves the brand upscale. Since 2006, four new models, including the Vue, have joined the Saturn lineup, all with a European flair.

They include the Aura midsize sedan; the Outlook midsize crossover utility vehicle, which shares its platform with the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and new 2009 Chevrolet Traverse; and the two-seat Sky roadster, the first really fun car from Saturn.

Also joining the lineup for 2008 was the Astra compact hatchback, which replaced the Ion sedan and coupe. The Astra is built by Opel in Belgium and sold throughout Europe under the Opel name.

The Vue, originally introduced in 2002, competes in a crowded field of compact crossovers including the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Vue’s two GM stalemates, the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent.

This newest Vue is very well done, and makes a nice family hauler for those who can make do with just five seats. The RAV4 and Outlander offer a third-row seat, giving them a capacity of seven; the rest, like the Vue, have just two rows.

For 2009, Vue prices start at $22,075 for the four-cylinder, front-drive XE model and run to the $29,900 of our tester.

In between the XE and Red Line are the V-6 powered XE V-6 all-wheel drive and XR models. All-wheel drive is available only on the V-6 models.

The price of the new two-mode hybrid model has not been announced yet, but the 2009 Vue four-cylinder hybrid starts at $26,955. I would expect the V-6 hybrid to run at least $2,000 more.

Sporty ride and handling are the hallmarks of the newest Vue, but the best package comes with the Red Line. The model I tested had a total sticker price of $34,320, including freight and options.

The options included the navigation package ($2,145), power sunroof ($850), cargo cover ($85), and a convenience package ($645), which added rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, remote start, universal garage opener, and a heated windshield-washer system.

Another V-6 engine also is used in the Vue. It’s a 3.5-liter rated at 222 horsepower and 219 foot-pounds of torque, which is standard in the XE all-wheel-drive model, but not offered in any other versions. It’s connected to a four-speed automatic transmission, which also is standard on the four-cylinder models.

Saturn no longer offers the Honda-built V-6 engine that was the uplevel powerplant in the previous Vue. The new model’s V-6 engines are GM-built.

The Vue’s four-cylinder engine has 169 horsepower and 161 foot-pounds of torque and is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. That engine also is used in the Green Line, where it is mated with an electric motor to create the gasoline-electric hybrid drive system.

The four-cylinder engine is EPA rated at 19 miles per gallon city/26 highway, while the 3.5-liter V-6 has mileage of 16/23; the 3.6-liter’s is 17/24 with front-wheel drive and 16/23 with all-wheel drive.

No mileage figures have been released for the new two-mode hybrid model, but the current Green Line model is rated at 25 city/32 highway.

The Vue’s redesigned exterior has a sleeker, lower profile than that of the previous model. The sloped roof line came from the PreVue concept that Saturn showed at the 2006 New York auto show, and this makes it look more carlike than the previous model, and less boxy like the traditional SUV.

The grille features Saturn’s chrome brand bar and a large Saturn badge.

The base XE model comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, but the XR gets 17-inch alloys. The Red Line has 18-inch wheels. All of the V-6 models have dual chrome exhaust outlets.

Designed for enthusiasts, the Red Line has a more-aggressive appearance, which includes a large lower air opening in the front, along with projector-beam fog lights. At the rear are a spoiler and trapezoid-shaped exhaust tips.

Also, its special sport-tuned suspension is lowered from that of the other models. To go with the sport theme, there is a manual-shift feature with the Red Line’s automatic transmission.

The Red Line comes in front- or all-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is recommended, even here in sunny Texas, for the best performance on either wet or dry surfaces.

Inside, the Red Line has some unique touches, including black leather sport seats with red stitching and perforated suede fabric inserts. It also has a special instrument panel and Red Line-embroidered floor mats.

Among features on the Vue are an optional eight-way power driver’s seat; standard flip-down second-row armrest; standard AM/FM/compact-disc audio system with MP3 playback; optional automatic climate control; an optional navigation system with voice recognition; heated front seats; and a convenience package that adds rain-sensing wipers, remote start, a universal garage/gate opener, and a heated windshield washer.

Equipped with a towing package, the V-6 Vue can pull trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds.

The vehicle’s electronic stability control includes a special trailer anti-sway system, which automatically adds braking and decreases engine power if the trailer begins oscillating.

RV aficionados will be glad to know that all models of the Vue can be towed behind a motor home with all four wheels on the ground.

Safety features, besides the stability control and antilock brakes, include front seat-mounted side air bags and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for both rows of seats.

There is lots of interior storage, including a large, illuminated glove box, a slide-out storage bin under the front passenger seat, a rear cargo system with upper and lower side rails, and storage under the rear cargo area. The rear seat has a 60/40 split-folding feature that allows for expansion of the cargo area.

To assist with entry and exit, there is a passenger grab-handle above each door.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

2009 Saturn Vue The package: Compact, five-door, five-passenger, front- or all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder, V-6 or gasoline-electric hybrid sport utility vehicle.

Highlights: Saturn’s first venture into SUVs, the Vue debuted for 2002, and entered its second generation for 2008 with an extensive redesign. The Red Line performance edition continues as the high-performance model, and two hybrid versions will be offered for 2009, with the second hybrid coming this winter.

Negatives: Manual gearbox no longer available for better fuel economy and lower price; back seat is tight for three people.

Engine: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder; 3.5-liter V-6; 3.6-liter V-6; plus two gasoline-electric hybrid models.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic (four-cylinder models); six-speed automatic (V-6 models).

Power/Torque: 169 HP./161 foot-pounds (I-4); 222 HP./219 foot-pounds (3.5 V-6); 257 HP./248 foot-pounds (3.6 V-6).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Length: 180.1 inches.

Curb weight: 3,825-4,325 pounds.

Cargo capacity: 29.2 cubic feet (behind rear seat).

EPA fuel economy: 19 miles per gallon city/26 highway (I-4); 16/23 (3.5-liter, 3.6-liter all-wheel drive); 17/24 (3.6-liter, front-wheel drive); 25/32 (base hybrid).

Fuel capacity/type: 19.2 gallons (front-wheel drive); 16.7 gallons (all-wheel drive); regular unleaded.

Base price range: $22,075-$29,900 plus $695 freight.

Price as tested: $34,320 (Red Line AWD, including freight and options).

Major competitors: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Pontiac Torrent/Chevrolet Equinox, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Outback.

On the Road rating: 8.5 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.