Auto Extreme

Any person who’s ever driven the first-generation Saturn Vue, a vehicle caught up in mediocrity, might be similarly surprised once settled behind the chunky wheel of the all-new 2008 Vue. Similar to Aura, which is based mainly on the Vectra built-up by General Motors’ European arm, Opel, the new Vue is the result of a transatlantic joint effort. It’s a twin to the Opel Antara crossover. “We took the ride and handling developed in Europe and transferred it directly here.” says vehicle line engineer Bob Reuter.

The 2008 Vue is a far more rewarding vehicle. Our test car, an all-wheel-drive XR model with the top-spec 3.6-liter V-6 (what GM likes to call its “high-feature” V-6, as though an aluminum block, variable valve timing, and dual overhead camshafts are novel), displayed its Euro roots when we pointed it down a curvy, bumpy stretch of road at twice the speed limit. The Vue might not have the reflexes of a BMW X3, but its body control, bump absorption, and steering feel were all imposing.

The V-6, which also powers the Red Line model, revs freely to nearly 7000 rpm but gets just a little coarse at the very top of its band. Both it and the 222-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (funny, GM doesn’t call this iron-block lump a “low-feature” V-6) are mated to the six-speed automatic that was jointly developed by Ford and General Motors. Both V-6 models get hydraulic power steering. The four-cylinder XE, which will underpin the mild-hybrid Vue Green Line coming this fall, is still equipped with electrically assisted steering, which feels simulated but improves fuel economy.

The new Vue’s interior is much finer than previous Saturn efforts but is still not quite as well-realized in terms of material quality as the cabins of its challengers from Korea and Japan. The front seat bottoms are too low and too short, but the glove box is vast and there are some smart storage solutions in the rear cargo area. The exterior is blemished by pale paint mismatches between the steel body panels and the plastic trim.

In general, the Vue is fully competitive in its segment.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.