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Saturn VUE

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Saturn VUE
Saturn
aka
Production 2002-Present
Class Mid-Size Crossover SUV
Body Style 5-door Wagon
Length 181.3 in.
Width 71.6 in.
Height 66.3 in. (65.3 in. Green Line)
Wheelbase 106.6 in.
Weight 3,279 - 3,691 lbs.
Transmission 5-speed Manual
4-speed Automatic
5-speed Automatic
Engine 2.2 liter DOHC inline-4
3.5 liter SOHC V6
2.4 liter inline-4 with BAS electric assist
Power 144 hp @ 5400 RPM
152 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM

248 hp @ 5800 RPM
242 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM

170 hp @ 6300 RPM
160 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM
Similar Ford Escape
Ford Edge
Jeep Compass
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Patriot
Mazda Tribute
Mazda CX-7
Chevrolet Equinox
Pontiac Torrent
Kia Sportage
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Toyota RAV4
Subaru Forester
Hyundai Tucson
Dodge Nitro
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Designer

The Saturn VUE is a compact SUV from General Motors' Saturn marque. It uses GM's Theta platform. In 2006, a hybrid version was added to the Vue's Greenline.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Saturn Vue Review.

Recent Changes

The VUE received several interior and exterior upgrades in 2006, and these remain in tact for 2007. The biggest change for 2007 is the addition of a Green Line hybrid model, the first hybrid SUV from General Motors.

Styles and Major Options

The VUE comes in three engine forms: a base model, a V6, and a hybrid model. The base model is powered by a 2.2L 144hp I-4 engine, the V6 is 3.5L 250hp engine, and the hybrid uses a 2.4L 170hp I-4 gasoline-electric engine. While the V6 and hybrid are only available with automatic transmissions, the I-4 is available in both an auto and manual version. Some of the standout features of each trim include:

2008 Saturn Vue RL.jpg

Base I-4

  • 16" steel wheels
  • 6-way driver (4-way passenger) front seats
  • Cloth/vinyl seating
  • Metal-look dashboard insert
  • Manual front air conditioning
  • 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
  • Cruise control
  • OnStar

V6

  • 16" polished alloy wheels
  • Simulated wood dashboard insert
  • Leather/simulated wood shift knob
  • Four wheel anti-lock brakes
  • OnStar

Green Line Hybrid

  • 16" polished alloy wheels
  • Driveline traction control
  • Metal-look dashboard insert
  • Cruise Control
  • OnStar

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Saturn VUE can be found at CarsDirect.

VUE Trims

I-4 2WD

V6 2WD

V6 AWD

I-4 2WD
Hybrid

MSRP

$17,475

$21,750

$23,710

$22,370

Invoice

$16,339

$20,336

$22,168

$20,915

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim

Vue AWD
V6 auto

Vue 2WD
I-4 manual

Vue 2WD
I-4 auto

Vue 2WD
V6 auto

Vue Hybrid 2WD
4-cyl. auto

MPG

19/25

23/29

22/27

20/28

27/32

Reliability

The VUE received an update in 2006, and accurate long-term reliability information is not yet available. The 2004 model, however, received an overall Green rating from Automotive Information Systems, indicating minimal problems in all categories.

Safety

Standard Safety Equipment
Subject to Model Availability

  • Anti-lock Brakes
  • Anti-lock Brakes with Traction Control
  • Driver and Front Passenger Airbags
  • Height Adjustable Front Seat Belts
  • OnStar

Optional Safety Features

  • Fog Lights
  • Head Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor

In tests carried out by the NHTSA, the 2007 Vue did well. It received 5-Star ratings for all front- and side-impact crash tests, and for rollover it received a 3-Star rating. Some of the standard safety features located in the Vue include:

Rating (Stars)

Front

Side

Rollover

Driver

Passenger

Front Seat

Rear Seat

2WD

4WD

5

5

5

5

3

3

Photos

Colors

VUE exterior and interior availability and color samples.

Exterior Color

VUE/VUE Green Line-
Cloth/Leather

VUE Red Line-
Leather with Suede Inserts

Black Onyx

Gray/Tan

Black

Chili Pepper Red

Gray/Tan

Black

Cypress Green

Gray/Tan

-

Deep Blue

Gray/Tan

-

Polar White

Gray/Tan

-

Silver Nickel

Gray

Black

Storm Gray

Gray

-


Exterior Colors
Black Onyx   Chili Pepper Red  
Cypress Green   Deep Blue  
Polar White   Silver Nickel  
Storm Gray  


Interior Colors
Gray Cloth  
Tan Cloth  
Gray Leather  
Tan Leather  

Main Competitors

Hybrid Models

Green Line The high-performance VUE Red Line will be joined for 2007 (in summer 2006) by an environmentally-oriented Green Line model. The VUE is a mild hybrid using what GM calls a "belt alternator starter" (BAS) system. A large electric motor is connected to the accessory drive via a belt, with a special automatic transmission fitted. It automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt and instantly restarts it when the vehicle must move again. The electric motor will also assist somewhat in acceleration, though not to the extent that Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system does.

The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is used from the Saturn ION, and fuel savings are expected to be around 15%. The Green Line version is expected to cost just US$2,000 more than a similarly-equipped VUE, and debuted in production form on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show.

Green Line owners will be eligible for a $650 federal tax credit designed to encourage fuel efficient vehicles.

Unique Attributes

Resale Values

According to Kelley Blue Book, "with the exception of the Green Line hybrid, which is expected to retain a high percentage of its value, the remaining VUE models retain only an average value in the first three years and then fall to less than average after that."

Criticisms

  • "A well-thought-out and capable mini sport-ute, the Vue's unimpressive interior and sloppy steering keep it from challenging the class leaders in this segment." - Edmunds.com
  • "If you're looking for a small SUV that can seat seven, the VUE's lack of a third-row seat takes it out of the running." - Kelley Blue Book

Current Generation: (2002–Present)

2007 VUE silverrear.jpg

The VUE was introduced for the 2002 model year and was designed by Saturn. It is manufactured at the Spring Hill Saturn plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the European Opel Antara.

Four-cylinder VUEs use the Ecotec straight-4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and 5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all 6-cylinder VUEs were equipped with the 250 hp (186 kW) Honda-manufactured L66 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder VUE was available with the VTi continuously variable transmission (CVT) until GM cancelled it for 2005. The CVT transmission had a separate 75,000 mile warranty.

The VUE received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar is now standard as well as cruise control and automatic headlights.

Red Line

Saturn introduced a special high-performance line of vehicles in 2004 under the name, "Red Line". The VUE Red Line includes the 250 hp (186 kW) L66 V6 and sportier suspension tuning for performance. 18 in alloy wheels, ground-effect front bumpers, chrome exhaust tips, special black leather and suede seats, footwell lighting, and a special gauge cluster complete the visual updates.

Future Generations

The VUE will be redesigned for the 2008 model year. Production will move to Ramos Arizpe, where the HHR is produced. It will be developed alongside the Opel Frontera. The Chevrolet S3X concept is a good indication of what the next-generation VUE/Frontera will look like.

Worldwide

Design quirks and oddities

Awards

See also

image (between 170-190 pixels)
SATURN

Historic

Astra · L-Series · ION · Relay · S-Series · Aura · Sky · VUE · Outlook

Concept

Sky Concept · Curve ·


Include notable internal links here


Roger Smith, former GM CEO Corporate website defunct



External Links

Saturn VUE Website

Maintenance


This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Saturn VUE, which includes these contributors.