The Detroit News's view

One of the most eagerly anticipated domestic products for 2002 is the Saturn Vue, the first sport-utility vehicle offered by the General Motors Corp. division known for its low-key showroom experience and no-dicker stickers.

Anita drove one for a day in South Carolina during the Vue’s media preview back in October.

And on a Thursday morning in late February, we paid a visit to Saturn of Warren and took a $26,045 all-wheel-drive Vue with a V-6 engine for a test drive.

It was an illuminating, real-world experience that left one of us less than happy about the newest Saturn.

He: I’m one of those people who has been carping for years at Saturn over the lack of fresh products, so believe me, I have been looking forward to driving the Vue. But the experience left me feeling underwhelmed. To oversimplify things, the Vue looks and feels strictly middle-of-the-road, but it’s priced like a premium SUV. Our test car cost more, in fact, than the Pontiac Aztek we recently tested, which was larger and roomier, more powerful and more comfortable. I’m left with the strong impression that a well-equipped Vue like the one we sampled is overpriced by thousands of dollars. We even saw one at the dealership with a sticker of nearly $30,000.

She: It’s hard to swallow a value argument from the man who once owned 100,000 baseball cards and 500 priceless beer cans. In fairness to Saturn, though, a base Vue starts at under $17,000. We didn’t see any of those. In fact, this particular dealer had only one four-cylinder model out of about a dozen on the lot. But I have to credit Saturn with providing all consumers with an incredibly pleasant dealership experience. We were both greeted warmly and given the keys to a Vue for an extended test with no fuss. That’s priceless.

He: Let’s talk about price and some of Saturn’s competitors. We’ve tested a fully loaded Hyundai Santa Fe with more features and options, and the sticker was substantially lower. Our $26,000 Vue didn’t even come with such basic amenities as lighted vanity mirrors or heated seats, and forget about the fancy stuff like leather upholstery. What I thought was even more appalling was the look and feel of the interior. For a vehicle in this price class, I expect the moldings and trim pieces to fit better and the material to look a little classier. I’d say those are basic design and engineering misfires, although the build quality also has room for improvement.

She: On the plus side, the Vue’s looks should hold up for the long run. Design cues include scalloped cutouts along the roofline and rocker panels. And even the base model has a CD player. But you’ll pay extra for some safety features. Our test car had $2,960 worth of options, including $575 anti-lock brakes and $395 head curtain air bags. Overall, the Vue is a good choice for a single woman, but less so for a mom. That’s because the upswept beltline, or area where the windows meet the body panels, is too high. Co mbine that with rear seats that are too low and you get the sensation of riding in a tub from the rear. Moms with car-sick-prone kids should really think long about this aspect of the Vue.

He: You mentioned styling. I’d say the Jeep Liberty has loads more personality than the Vue. As far as vehicle dynamics, the ride quality is pretty good on the Saturn, but I’m still not sold on the new electric power steering system. It did not feel as crisp and direct as I’d like. The five-speed automatic transmission helps the V-6 model to deliver decent fuel economy. But when you give the engine full throttle, the transmission hesitates and almost stumbles before kicking down into a lower gear. And while the twin-cam 3.0-liter V-6 feels peppy, it’s not nearly as powerful as the six-cylinder engines offered in the Escape and the Liberty.

She: The Vue gets extra credit from me because of the positive showroom experience. I don’t expect guys to understand that. But at least our salesman didn’t call me the “little woman.”

2002 Saturn Vue AWD V-6

Anita’s rating: (Above average)

Paul’s rating: (Acceptable)

Likes: Finally, some much-needed product variety at Saturn. Pleasant, low-key dealership experience. Distinctive Saturn family styling cues. Peppy V-6 engine option. Sensible plastic holders in cargo area (Anita). Fuel economy better than Jeep Liberty or Ford Escape, thanks in part to new five-speed automatic transmission.

Dislikes: Fully loaded V-6 AWD model is grossly overpriced. Breaks little new ground stylistically in SUV segment. Vue V-6 not as powerful as Ford Escape or Jeep Liberty. Continuously variable transmission option still not available as of late February. Few four-cylinder Vues on dealer lots. Vehicle has a cheaper look and feel than Ford Escape or Hyundai Santa Fe. Interior materials and fit are sub-par. Lots of body roll when cornering. Center console intrudes on driver’s legroom (Paul).

Type: Front-engine, all-wheel drive, five-passenger sport-utility vehicle.

Price: Base, $22,575; as tested; $26,045 (inc. $510 destination charge).

Engine: 3.0-liter V-6 181 hp; 195 lbs-ft torque.

Fuel economy: 19 city/25 highway.

12-month insurance cost, estimated by AAA Michigan: $1,184 (Rates may be higher or lower depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Spring Hill, Tenn.