A positive outlook for GM
VANCOUVER – From the Chevy Equinox to the Yukon Denali, General Motors has never been short of sports utility offerings in the North American market. Indeed, some critics have held GM’s close, recent connections to the profitable — albeit volatile — SUV market for the company’s short term downslope in overall sales.
So there should be surprise that the all-new 2008 Saturn Outlook offers some of the most popular features available across the GM family’s SUV lineup. What may surprise some is that the Outlook offers these features, including eight passenger seating, while also offering impressive mileage and a genuinely entertaining driving experience.
Bigger, better and more distinct
Saturn dealers have been looking forward to this development for years — ever since potential buyers started coming into their stores, test driving the compact Vue, and asking "do you have something a little bigger?" Clearly, the 3020-millimetre wheelbase on the new Outlook provides a larger platform on which to build an SUV, but the modern styling, with several body lines converging on the new-look Saturn front end (there’s no mistaking the familial relationship with Saturn’s new Aura), effectively hides the fact that there’s room inside for the majority of an entire hockey line, plus a coach and the driver. The Outlook is, for an SUV, quite a looker — distinctive, yet mainstream enough to avoid what I like to call "Aztek shock."
Part of the difference between Outlook and many previous GM SUV designs is the underlying structure that integrates the frame with the chassis. Because it is built more like a standard sedan than a pickup truck, Outlook sits lower, with more passenger-friendly entries and loading levels. This also translates into slightly lower trailer towing capability (2,041 kg, or 4,500 lbs), but the trade-off in everyday user friendliness makes it well worth the change. If towing your double snowmobile trailer and a pair of heavy duty sleds is still a priority, there are many alternatives already out there.
Saturn is listing vehicles like the Ford Freestyle (soon to reappear as the Taurus X), the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander as potential rivals for the Outlook, since all three offer the kind of cargo flexibility available in Outlook.
"There’s never been a clear-cut winner in this category until now, we believe," said Saturn top exec Jill Lajdziak as she introduced the vehicle to scribes attending the Vancouver Auto Show. "The Outlook drives so much smaller than it is — I think a lot of people are going to be surprised once they get behind the wheel."
Count me amongst that growing number. An afternoon jaunt around Canada’s western jewel quickly had me agreeing with Lajdziak. The Outlook comes in one basic powertrain configuration — a 3.6-litre LY7 V-6 with variable valve timing, connected to either all-wheel or front-wheel drive via one of GM’s new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmissions. The all-aluminum engine develops an impressive 270 hp and 248 lb-ft or torque in its most basic layout, although Outlooks in ZR upper trim gain an additional five ponies and three lb-ft courtesy of a twin exhaust system.
Smooth power supply
The powertrain provides a smooth supply of power to the front wheels under normal circumstances, although power can be shunted to the rear under slippery conditions should you opt for the AWD version. There’s provision for manual shifting, too, and a two mode button can help redistribute shift points should you hook up to a load.
Due to the non-frame chassis construction, suspension components are somewhat more exotic than some you might see on the typical SUV, with the front coil-over struts and direct-acting stabilizer bar mounted on a full perimeter isolated cradle. At the back, linked H-arms, coil springs and monotube shocks are mounted to an isolated subframe to provide fully independent wheel travel combined with rather impressive noise attenuation.
On the road, the suspension works well with hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes and either 18- or 19-in. cast aluminum wheels to provide a light, responsive and thoroughly user-friendly driving experience. Although traffic and conditions prevented a truly spirited assessment, the experience was positive enough to have this writer looking forward to another future opportunity to test Outlook’s mettle.
In addition to the sophisticated drivetrain, Outlook does indeed offer enough interior space for eight, although the vehicle can also be configured for seven. Lajdziak said the difference between this vehicle and previous mid- or upper mid-size SUVs is that the third row is actually roomy enough for adults.
I was skeptical, of course, seeing that the diminutive executive stands not much taller than my eight-year-old. We were fortunate, though, to have an opportunity to test Lajdziak’s theory under real-life conditions. Outlook’s second-row seating incorporates GM’s Smart Slide feature, allowing quick and easy access to the third-row seating area. The second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, effectively compressing the space occupied by the seat. It operates with one hand and enables adjustable fore/aft positioning of the second-row seat. If only the second row is occupied, adults can slide their seats back for impressive legroom. When slid further forward, the rear seats did allow for a six foot adult in relative comfort — at least for trips under an hour’s duration. It’s one of the best systems I’ve used so far, once an initial familiarization takes place.
Strangely enough, in the course of describing the driving experience, I almost forgot about one of Outlook’s most attractive features. Despite offering 270 horses and a sporty suspension, Saturn says the Outlook will also provide up to 22 miles to the imperial gallon (13L/100km) in the city and 34 mpg (8.3L/100km) on the highway. That last feature combines with an attractive cabin, good performance, good looks and a great entry price point of $33,990 to make the Outlook an SUV for Canadian drivers to look out for.
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