Saturn Vue SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
Just like all of the models under the name the Saturn Vue collapsed at the end of the 2009 financial nightmare of the vehicle industry. As a small SUV, the Saturn Vue was considered to offer good value, great service, and better styling and performance. Originally debuting in 2002, the cute but functional Vue was to hit the pavement. What started off as a grass roots effort to be included in the SUV race, the Vue eventually became the one small SUV that could reach the consumer that wanted the function of an SUV with a reasonable monthly payment and a bit of style thrown on for good measure.
The low cost of the Saturn Vue certainly helped to keep the consumer interested. The second generation came along to help improve the overall standing in the SUV race and to entice the hold outs into taking a test drive. The second generation Saturn Vue fell more in line with what the company was trying to produce the first time. As a small SUV it was supposed to replicate the feeling and styling of European engineering. There was no doubt that the designers did a much better job on the second generation.
The size of the second generation Saturn Vue was quite similar to the first generation. The wheel base varied only slightly. The body received steel panels instead of the plastic ones. While the plastic panels were initially chosen because they were ding and dent resistant, ultimately the entire vehicle looked cheaply made. The switch to steel was a definite selling point.
The Saturn Vue was appropriate for seating five passengers. With three trim options, the lowest trim option came with only a four speed automatic transmission. The two upper trims offered the more conveniently adept 6 speed automatic transmission. The small 2.4 liter was an inline and was able to produce about 164 horsepower. The two upper trims were equipped with the more powerful 3.5 liter V6 and a 3.6 liter V6. The 3.5 liter provided a more appropriate 215 horsepower but the preference was naturally the 257 horsepower the 3.6 liter engine.
Cargo space wasn't the best. The Saturn Vue was limited because of its smaller size but still provided the consumer with 56 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Instead Saturn focused on the comfort of the passengers, ensuring that each one had great legroom and the ability to recline in the rear seats. For many consumers who spend more time driving family members from one activity to another the cargo space was good enough to fit dance bags, hockey equipment, baseball bats, and all of the other paraphernalia every child needs to be an active team member. The idea of driving the gang and their friends around in comfort was equally, if not more, appealing.
While the Saturn Vue may not be produced any longer there are numerous models that are still in the used market. The first generation seemed to have produced a less reliable, less attractive SUV while the second generation had worked hard to overcome those issues and be the SUV that was designed for a quality urban lifestyle.
The low cost of the Saturn Vue certainly helped to keep the consumer interested. The second generation came along to help improve the overall standing in the SUV race and to entice the hold outs into taking a test drive. The second generation Saturn Vue fell more in line with what the company was trying to produce the first time. As a small SUV it was supposed to replicate the feeling and styling of European engineering. There was no doubt that the designers did a much better job on the second generation.
The size of the second generation Saturn Vue was quite similar to the first generation. The wheel base varied only slightly. The body received steel panels instead of the plastic ones. While the plastic panels were initially chosen because they were ding and dent resistant, ultimately the entire vehicle looked cheaply made. The switch to steel was a definite selling point.
The Saturn Vue was appropriate for seating five passengers. With three trim options, the lowest trim option came with only a four speed automatic transmission. The two upper trims offered the more conveniently adept 6 speed automatic transmission. The small 2.4 liter was an inline and was able to produce about 164 horsepower. The two upper trims were equipped with the more powerful 3.5 liter V6 and a 3.6 liter V6. The 3.5 liter provided a more appropriate 215 horsepower but the preference was naturally the 257 horsepower the 3.6 liter engine.
Cargo space wasn't the best. The Saturn Vue was limited because of its smaller size but still provided the consumer with 56 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Instead Saturn focused on the comfort of the passengers, ensuring that each one had great legroom and the ability to recline in the rear seats. For many consumers who spend more time driving family members from one activity to another the cargo space was good enough to fit dance bags, hockey equipment, baseball bats, and all of the other paraphernalia every child needs to be an active team member. The idea of driving the gang and their friends around in comfort was equally, if not more, appealing.
While the Saturn Vue may not be produced any longer there are numerous models that are still in the used market. The first generation seemed to have produced a less reliable, less attractive SUV while the second generation had worked hard to overcome those issues and be the SUV that was designed for a quality urban lifestyle.
