2008 Saturn VUE Review

The redesigned 2008 Saturn Vue compact SUV has become a European-style vehicle, greatly improved from the old Vue.

The new Vue is similar to the European Opel Antara from General Motors' European operation. It's built in Mexico, a long way from Saturn's traditional assembly plant in down home Spring Hill, Tenn.

Overall, the new Vue is far more refined and more fun to drive than its predecessor, without sacrificing practicality.

There's an all-new unit steel body, but some Saturn loyalists might be dismayed that the automaker's traditional plastic body panels have been replaced with better-fitting steel ones. However, nobody should be disappointed about the far more upscale interior.

The most important thing is that the new Vue has much better steering, ride and handling, thanks to such things as a European-style suspension, which doesn't tolerate sloppy handling. It drives much like a well-mannered large sedan, while providing room for four to five tall adults. However, rear door openings should be larger for easier entry/exit.

Major rivals include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Suzuki Grand Vitara.

The new Vue is about the same size as the old one. It comes in entry XE, higher-line XR, hot rod Red Line and hybrid gasoline/electric Green Line models, which arrive next year and aren't priced yet. All Vues, except the Green Line, which will come only with front-drive, are offered with front- or all-wheel drive.

Prices range from $20,770 for an XE with front drive to $28,770 for the Red Line with all-wheel drive. (AWD). Vue prices are higher than those for 2007 models, but popular features that were optional have been made standard. They include head curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes, XM radio, 16-inch alloy wheels and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player.

All Vues are fairly well-equipped, with such items as automatic climate control, cruise control, tilt wheel with radio controls, split-folding rear seat and power windows, outside mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry.

The XR adds such things as a power driver's seat and larger 17-inch (vs. 16-inch) wheels with wider tires. The Red Line has heated front seats, a sport suspension, an automatic transmission with manual-shift capability and even larger 18-inch wheels with wider (55-series) tires.

Options include an $800 power sunroof and a Premium Trim package for the XE and XR with leather covered seats and heated front seats. A $505 Convenience Package includes a remote start system and rain-sensing wipers.

I tested an XR with all-wheel drive. It has a $26,270 base price, but such options as those two packages, a $325 advanced audio system and $2,145 navigation system raised the bottom line price to $30,320.

Engines start with a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 169 horsepower. Others are a 3.5-liter overhead valve V-6 with 222 horsepower that's available for the base model and a more modern 3.6-liter dual-overhead-camshafts V-6 for the XR and Red Line. It produces 257 horsepower and the most torque of any Vue engine.

Horsepower for the hybrid hasn't been released, but figure on approximately 170.

The base four-cylinder works with a rather dated four-speed automatic transmission, although Saturn says this version will be offered with a five-speed manual gearbox later in the model year. Americans who rent cars in Europe find that an automatic transmission is a premium item there. Most European cars have manual transmissions to get the best fuel economy with sky-high fuel prices.

Both Vue V-6 engines here shoot power though a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid is equipped with a modified four-speed automatic.

Using the EPA's downrated (from 2007), more realistic 2008 fuel economy figures, estimated economy of the base four-cylinder front-drive Vue is 19 mpg in the city and 26 on highways -- or 15 and 22 with the 222-horsepower V-6 and AWD. (There is no base four-cylinder AWD model.)

The front-drive V-6 XR model provides 16 city, 23 highway, while the AWD version delivers 16 and 22.

Only the base four-cylinder Vue provides fuel economy numbers to phone home about, leaving that model or the upcoming Green Line for those very concerned about mpg ratings.

All Vues have front-side and curtain-side air bags with roll-over sensors and collapsing pedals. There's also traction and anti-skid control and a trailer stability assist feature (a class exclusive); it applies the brakes when a trailer begins swaying because of such factors as improper weight distribution.

My test XR AWD V-6 provided strong 65-75 mph acceleration, with easy merging and passing. However, an AWD Vue with the V-6 is pretty heavy, around 4,300 pounds, and the weight combined with economy-minded gearing makes it a little lazy off the line.

Steering is fast, and agility is no problem because suspension tuning is identical to the European Antara's. The ride is supple and the brake pedal has a nice, progressive action. Stopping power is reassuring.

Gauges can be quickly read, while climate controls are large and sound system controls are easily worked. The glove compartment is large, and front doors have fairly large storage pockets and bottle holders.

However, rear doors have slim pockets that don't hold much of anything, and rear fold-out cupholders are awkwardly placed at floor level behind the front console.

The load floor is rather high, but the cargo area is large, and can be made considerably roomier by folding the rear seatbacks forward.

Saturn needs more models like the Vue because its sales lag behind those of Japanese rivals, although new Saturn models such as its mid-size Aura sedan are very competitive with top Japanese sedans.

2008 SATURN VUE

PRICE: $20,770-$28,770.

LIKES: Nicely redesigned. Fast with overhead-cam V-6. Good ride and handling. Roomy. Refined.

DISLIKES: Narrow rear door openings. Low rear cupholders.