Diversified lineup
Like its predecessor, the new Saturn Vue is offered in several configurations, though a manual transmission is no longer on the menu; the demand was simply too low to keep offering it, according to Dan Burton, Marketing Director at Saturn Canada. What's more, the 4-cylinder is now exclusive to the Vue Green Line (hybrid).
The core of the lineup now comes with a choice of two V6 engines. The base model, called XE, gets a 3.5L mill developing 222 horsepower, while the mid-range XR (as tested) and high-end Red Line (performance-oriented) use a more muscular 3.6L unit. With 257 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 2,100 rpm, this V6 is almost as potent as the RAV4's (269 hp). It proves flexible and delivers more sensible accelerations than its Japanese counterpart.
My tester sent power to all four wheels through a new smooth-shifting 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and a reactive-type all-wheel drive system. This Vue behaves like a two-wheel drive vehicle until one of the front wheels starts to lose grip, at which point part of the available torque is rapidly transferred to the rear wheels.
Mission: comfort
On the road, the Saturn Vue XR acts pretty much like its Asian rivals. It offers a smooth ride which favors comfort over handling. Therefore, body roll is still present (though limited), which will annoy sportier drivers.
The power hydraulic steering is precise and nicely weighed. However, the 12.2-meter turning radius affects maneuverability in tight spots, like underground parking lots. The competition fares much better in that regard, including the Forester (10.6 meters), the Sportage (10.8 meters), the Rogue and RAV4 (11.4 meters) as well as the CR-V (11.5 meters).
The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate. ABS and traction control are part of the standard equipment. GM marketing folks decided to bank on passive safety to set Saturn apart. That's why Vue owners also benefit from a full assortment of airbags, not to mention active head restraints and a collapsible pedal assembly. Of course, the vehicle is priced accordingly -- a few hundreds of dollars above similarly-equipped rivals.
Like its predecessor, the new Saturn Vue is offered in several configurations, though a manual transmission is no longer on the menu; the demand was simply too low to keep offering it, according to Dan Burton, Marketing Director at Saturn Canada. What's more, the 4-cylinder is now exclusive to the Vue Green Line (hybrid).
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| The automaker chose to make a number of handy features standard. |
The core of the lineup now comes with a choice of two V6 engines. The base model, called XE, gets a 3.5L mill developing 222 horsepower, while the mid-range XR (as tested) and high-end Red Line (performance-oriented) use a more muscular 3.6L unit. With 257 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 2,100 rpm, this V6 is almost as potent as the RAV4's (269 hp). It proves flexible and delivers more sensible accelerations than its Japanese counterpart.
My tester sent power to all four wheels through a new smooth-shifting 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and a reactive-type all-wheel drive system. This Vue behaves like a two-wheel drive vehicle until one of the front wheels starts to lose grip, at which point part of the available torque is rapidly transferred to the rear wheels.
Mission: comfort
On the road, the Saturn Vue XR acts pretty much like its Asian rivals. It offers a smooth ride which favors comfort over handling. Therefore, body roll is still present (though limited), which will annoy sportier drivers.
The power hydraulic steering is precise and nicely weighed. However, the 12.2-meter turning radius affects maneuverability in tight spots, like underground parking lots. The competition fares much better in that regard, including the Forester (10.6 meters), the Sportage (10.8 meters), the Rogue and RAV4 (11.4 meters) as well as the CR-V (11.5 meters).
The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate. ABS and traction control are part of the standard equipment. GM marketing folks decided to bank on passive safety to set Saturn apart. That's why Vue owners also benefit from a full assortment of airbags, not to mention active head restraints and a collapsible pedal assembly. Of course, the vehicle is priced accordingly -- a few hundreds of dollars above similarly-equipped rivals.
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| With 257 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 2,100 rpm , this V6 is almost as potent as the RAV4's. |