A very friendly Vue
If you agree beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you should turn your telescope on Saturn and give the Vue a new view. It has a whole new orbit in the compact sport utility universe.
Built on GM’s new global compact SUV architecture, Vue is available in three trim levels: XE, XR, Green Line and the performance-oriented Red Line in two-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive. Power choices include a base four-cylinder engine with four-speed automatic or two V6 models with six-speed automatic shifting.
To say Vue has a whole new look is to understate the effect of the new design, which has gone from squarish and relatively homely to rounded, sleek and good looking. Designers got rid of the dent-resistant polymer panels, which means body gaps are downright tiny. The test vehicle ran on 17-in. aluminum wheels, which went nicely with the vehicle's body-colour fascia, rocker panels and wheel mouldings, giving the Vue a more finished appearance.
The test vehicle from General Motors Canada came in XR trim with all-wheel drive with a select package of options designed to make life all that much easier for young moms and old grandpas and grandmas alike.
My daughter Krista has two youngsters to tote along with her, both requiring child seats.
She particularly liked the ease of installation of the seats: anchors were accessible and the rear doors opened wide enough to get the kids into their seats without fuss. With the car seats out of the way, there’s plenty of room for a couple of adults to ride comfortably in the back; you could fit a third, but the three had better be really good friends because the crowding will strain a relationship.
Even with the child seats mounted in the second row, there was enough room to carry a sizeable stroller along with the results of a good day’s shopping.
Grandma also liked the cargo-hauling ability, especially with the rear seatbacks folded, and Grandpa liked the way it hauled golf clubs and a bunch of other gear.
Score points there on all three fronts.
Under the hood of the test vehicle was a 252-hp V6 engine that provided plenty of power to keep the Vue in orbit along with enough torque (241 lb.-ft.) for a rather impressive launch from stop lights and for passing.
The engine comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, which goes about its business with almost seamless ease. The addition of a tap-shift feature allowed me to manually select gears although the electronics would not allow the powertrain to bounce off the rev limiter.
Vue’s all-wheel-drive system operates in front-wheel-drive mode under normal circumstances, but if wheel slip and hard throttle input is detected, up to 80% of available torque can be transferred to the rear wheels.
The interior of the XR is a comfortable capsule with supportive front bucket seats and optional bum warmers. The seat heaters fall short of “bake” setting, but do take the chill off on cool autumn mornings.
My wife says she likes the size of the Vue, which she described as “just right.”
“It’s small enough to fit into small spaces yet large enough to carry a lot of stuff. And it’s nimble in traffic.”
Highway ride is as smooth as any compact sedan and the cabin remains quiet — until you find pavement with an aggregate over-coating. That’s when tire noise makes its presence known.
Vue is a friendly vehicle for people who need to haul small trailers. Properly equipped with the trailer tow package, it will pull up to 3,500 lb. A standard electronic trailer sway control detects sway and automatically applies brake pressure and reduces engine torque until the sway stops.
Other standard safety features include dual-stage front seat airbags, front seat side thorax airbags and head curtain airbags with rollover sensors for both rows of seats.
The test vehicle had everything you need and just about everything you might want in a compact sport ute.
If you want to up the ante somewhat you can add a navigation system with voice recognition or the enhanced convenience package that includes automatic rain-sensing wipers, remote start, universal home remote and heated windshield washer system.
Fact File
2008 Saturn Vue
As tested, before tax: $31,585
Configuration: front engine, AWD
Engine/Transmission: 3.6L V6/ six-speed automatic
Horsepower: 252 @ 6,950 rpm
Torque: 241 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm
Options: Premium package (8-way power driver seat, automatic climate control, heated outside mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, leather wrapped steering wheel), $1,070; heated front seats $405; trailer tow package, $405; tapshift transmission control, $285.
Freight: $1,200
Fuel required: 63 litres, regular
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 13.1 city; 8.8 hwy.
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 10.2 combined
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km (basic); 5 years/160,000 km (powertrain)
Model price range: $2,193 - $35,906
Engines available: 2.4L four-cylinder/ 3.5L V6/ 3.6 L V6
Transmissions available: four-speed automatic, six-speed automatic
Competition: Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson
Strengths: Interior comfort, child seat friendly, lots of cargo space
Weaknesses: Short rear seat legroom if front seats fully extended
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