Saturn VUE 2008

By Bruno Bouchard

The year 2007 represents in a fashion, Saturn’s renewal. For the last several years, this make has been presenting models on their last legs (or wheels) but now the Aura and the new VUE add a breath of fresh air. Frankly, they’re both winners. Undeniably, small SUVS buyers choose this type of vehicle for the spacious interiors and cockpits; not cumbersome like wagons, they offer a friendlier atmosphere than say, an intermediate sedan.

Interior

The VUE’s interior is a welcome surprise, especially when compared to the cheap plastic of prior models; the VUE 2008 breaks with that mindset. Though not among the leaders, the materials are well assembled and feel solid, indicating a better level of quality. The dashboard layout looks modern and well thought out. Albeit not revolutionary, things appear coordinated and logically presented.

One of its strengths’ lies in passenger room: three adults can easily fit on the back row without feeling squeezed. The VUE’s size allows comfortable seating for three adults who will not feel like there on a bus where shoulders constantly rub up against each other and your legs don’t feel locked in. Larger-sized persons, as well, can breathe easier. Interestingly, the cargo space doesn’t seem to have suffered much in the process.

Performance

The VUE offers four different engines, depending on the version. The basic version (XE) with front-wheel drive is driven by the four cylinder,2.4 litre Ecotec which produces 169hp.,however, the all-wheel drive XE sports a six cylinder, 3.5 litre developing 222hp. The Green Line VUE hybrid uses a combination of the same four cylinders and an electric motor to produce the same power but with better fuel economy. The XR or Red Line buyers can enjoy a 3.6 litre V6, one of the biggest engines in its category. This engine can also be found in other GM SUVS such as the ‘Pontiac Torrent’ and the ‘Chevrolet Equinox’. The newly designed engine has overhead camshafts et le calag.... It shows suppleness and produces a lot of torque: 241 lbs-ft of torque accompanied by 252 hp. We tried out the XR model equipped with a 3.6 litre engine. The acceleration is quick as is the torque when passing.

Handling cannot be considered sporty but it’s far from trivial. On the contrary, the VUE offers good, sure and predictable handling; the turn roll well controlled and there’s accurate information transmitted to the driver. In fact, I have very few negative things to say about the VUE.