Review
Introduction
The Vue was completely redesigned for 2008 and is a competent player in the compact crossover-utility class. Like the Honda CR-V, it is essentially a front-wheel-drive vehicle that can be ordered with all-wheel drive and features seating for five in two rows.
The Vue is unusual in this class for the number of powertrain options that are available: a 169-hp, 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine allied to a four-speed automatic transmission; a mild hybrid; a 222-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that drives through a six-speed automatic transaxle; a 257-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, also mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; and a newly announced two-mode hybrid that pairs the 3.6-liter V-6 with GM’s front-wheel-drive two-mode gearbox. The Vue is offered in XE, XR, hybrid, two-mode hybrid, and Red Line trims.
Verdict
The Vue’s biggest problem is that it’s heavy: roughly 3700 pounds in four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive form, going past 4000 pounds for a V-6 with all-wheel drive. Four-cylinder performance is sluggish, although the 3.6-liter in the XR and Red Line models makes for a more sprightly vehicle. The Vue rides quite nicely and handles in a carlike—if slightly inert—fashion.
The interior is nicely appointed and in some ways better crafted than those of its Japanese rivals. Interior room is cramped, however, compared with the class leaders such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, offering 29.2 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats and 56.4 with the seats folded. Gas mileage is only average, too, with EPA numbers of 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway for the four-cylinder. These fall to 15/22 for the 3.5-liter V-6 and 16/23 for the front-drive 3.6-liter V-6. The mild hybrid is estimated to get vastly superior economy of 25 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway, and the two-mode hybrid is claimed to return 50-percent-better mileage than the 3.5-liter V-6.
Click here to read our full review of the Saturn Vue.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Saturn Vue.
What’s New for 2009
The biggest news for 2009 is the planned availability of the two-mode hybrid model. Unlike the Vue mild hybrid, which uses a generator to turn its 2.4-liter inline-four engine on and off in town and has some regenerative braking function, the two-mode is a proper full hybrid that can run solely on electric power at city speeds. The name refers to GM’s technology that combines the functions of a continuously variable transmission and a conventional automatic in order to operate at maximum efficiency. The two-mode uses a 3.6-liter V-6.
Other changes for 2009 include Bluetooth connectivity that’s standard on the XR and Red Line models and available on the XE, a standard panic brake-assist feature, an available dealer-accessory headrest-integrated DVD system, and available XM real-time traffic data.
Highlights and Recommendations
The Vue does not have stand-alone options but instead can be ordered with several packages, some of which come standard on higher trim levels. Three useful packages are the Preferred package that includes an eight-way power driver’s seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Convenience package that incorporates remote start and rain-sensing windshield wipers, and the Premium package that includes leather seats, heated in the front.
The base model is the Vue XE, which starts near $24,000 in front-wheel-drive form, equipped with a four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. This model has power windows, keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Adding all-wheel drive raises the price by about $2500 and includes an upgrade to the 222-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic. The base model offers good value for the money, with class-competitive interior comfort and design.
The more uplevel XR model with the 3.6-liter V-6 starts at about $27,000, with all-wheel drive adding $2000 to the price. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam fog lamps, automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are among the upgrades over the XE trim. XR and Red Line models can be ordered with a navigation system, although the price is steep at more than two grand.
The hybrid is available only in front-drive form, starting at about $28,500. Standard equipment closely mirrors that of the base XE model, with few options available. The two-mode hybrid, which is also only available with front-wheel drive and the 3.6-liter V-6, is not yet on sale as of this writing.
Finally, the more sporting Red Line, which has the 3.6-liter engine, starts at about $29,500, rising to about $31,500 with all-wheel drive. This one features a “sport tuned” suspension, manumatic operation for the transmission, heated sport seats, and 18-inch wheels and tires. It is only slightly more sporty than the XR—which isn’t very sporty at all—and neither is recommended for the enthusiast.
Safety
Vues come with front, front side, and curtain airbags. Stability and traction control are standard, along with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.
