Overview & Reviews

The Saturn Outlook was one of the four "Lambda" crossover SUVs in GM's stable until the 2009 bankruptcy fiasco, when the Saturn brand met its end. Like the other Lambda vehicles, the Outlook packaged the eight-passenger seating, cavernous cargo capacity and carlike driving character of a minivan into the more fashionable shell of a full-size crossover SUV.

Compared to traditional body-on-frame full-size SUVs, the unibody Outlook provided advantages in terms of ride, handling and fuel economy. Its advantages continued inside, where an attractive interior boasted seating for up to eight passengers and more than 100 cubic feet of available cargo space.

The Outlook's large size limited its maneuverability and handling performance, though. As such, other three-row crossovers with slightly smaller dimensions proved more enjoyable to drive. But for families with large people-hauling or cargo-toting needs, the Outlook was one of the best crossover SUV choices, and it remains so as a used-car option.

Most Recent Saturn Outlook

Produced from 2007-'09, the Saturn Outlook was mechanically similar to the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia crossover SUV family. Aside from styling, it was primarily differentiated with a lower price and lesser quality interior materials.

There were two trims, XE and XR. Included on the XE were alloy wheels, heated mirrors, power accessories, cruise control, front and rear climate controls, a CD/MP3 player with satellite radio (2009 only) and GM's OnStar service. The XR added dual exhaust, a power driver seat, a trip computer, steering-wheel audio controls, Bluetooth (2009 only) and wood trim.

Standard safety features on both models included antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags protecting all three rows. Among the options were xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, keyless engine start, a navigation system (which received real-time traffic for '09), a back-up camera (2008-'09), a rear-seat DVD player, Bose audio ('09 only), leather seats and second-row captain's chairs that reduced seating to seven passengers.

All Outlooks were powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that initially made 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque (275 and 251 with the XR's dual exhaust). When direct injection was added for '09, those numbers went up to 281 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque (288 hp and 270 lb-ft in the XR). A six-speed automatic was the sole transmission, and all-wheel drive could be ordered in place of front-wheel drive on either model.

On the road, our editors found the Saturn Outlook to be a pleasant drive. GM's modern V6 gave the Outlook decent acceleration and fuel mileage, while the Outlook's unibody construction and all-independent suspension gave it ride smoothness and handling ability superior to GM's previous SUVs and vans. The six-speed automatic transmission could have been more responsive, and the near-5,000-pound curb weight was hefty even for this segment, but the Outlook's overall driving sophistication was definitely up to class standards.

Unlike many competitors in the crossover SUV field, the Saturn Outlook could accommodate adults in all three rows. Granted, comfort was only adequate in the third row, but the fact that grandparents could sit back there at all was a feat in this class. In addition, the Outlook's "Smart Slide" second-row seat feature was advantageous, as with the pull of one obvious lever, either of the captain's chairs (or 64/40-split bench halves) easily tilted, slid and sandwiched up against the first-row seats to ease access to the third row.

The Outlook's size also enabled it to swallow up to 117 cubic feet of cargo while most others take around 90. Despite subtle hints of interior cheapness and some buttons that are either too small or hard to find, the Outlook's dashboard was also among the more attractive in this segment.

For families seeking a truly functional alternative to a minivan or full-size, truck-based SUV, a used Saturn Outlook merits serious consideration. Those who'd rather go the new route should check out the related Acadia, Enclave or Traverse.

User Reviews:

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  This vehicle s**ks! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By AS_2015 - March 30 - 2:24 am

  too many issues similar to the other consumers here... although I bought the vehicle used summer of last year, transmission was replaced (shortly after I bought it.. luckily I bought an extended warranty on it which covered about 2/3 of the costs.. ), acceleration (or lack of...), rack & pinion needed to be replaced this past summer, water pump, alternator/starter, electrical issues.. in other words.. I think you can use the word "Lemon" in this case and it sounds like the same for others posting their comments here as well... if this is what the GMC Acadia is like since the Outlook and the Acadia are similar in parts, service , etc. , I am going to steer away from GMC!!

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  Do not buy this car - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By apow - August 13 - 3:48 pm

  I bought this car used and liked the styling, etc. But, my transmission failed, brake fluid is leaking into the master cylinder, the air bag sensors are shot, and theres some noise coming from my front end. The car only has 80,000 miles on it! Ive heard so many others are having the same problems with this car. I wish I had read reviews of it before I bought it!! As a comparison, my Dodge Caravan had almost 300,000 miles on it when it died and my husbands Ford F150 has 315,000 miles on it. This car is such a nightmare. I dont know if I should bother to fix it because it sounds like others have had it fixed only to have MORE issues come up. GM should be ashamed. Ill never buy a GM again.

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  Worst vehicle we have ever owned - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By sbzg - January 18 - 5:02 pm

  This has been by far the worst car we have ever owned. The transmission was completely replaced under 50k miles (shuttered all the time). The lift gate struts broke. It over heated with thermostat problems at 25k miles. The AC randomly speeds up and slows down. The front headlamp assembly melted causing the headlights to go out ($700 if not under warranty). The dash computer went out causing the dash to go out. The remote start has never worked... dealer has never been able to figure that one out. And the kicker... the sunroof drains into the floor on the passenger side. Sometimes when its raining and I hit the breaks, water flies from the headliner onto the dash. I will never buy a GM.

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  DO NOT BUY A SATURN 2007 OUTLOOK - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By gftodd - September 18 - 6:48 pm

  I have had problems with this car since I bought it used in 2009. This car is a disgrace and I fear driving every time I get in the car. My husband was just driving it recently on a major highway and the car just stalled out and he couldnt steer. Now how about if that was me and my 6 yr old son and we would have gotten into a major accident. I had to buy a new transmission, struts, now its in the shop again for another problem. Do research on any car before you buy. I will never buy another GM again. I always told people to buy AMERICAN but apparently they dont care about screwing us over!!

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  Dont buy one - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Tami Vitali - September 9 - 6:53 am

  I had my 2007 in the shop over 90days the first year of ownership. They were really nice until I decided to file the lemon Law on it. The leaks were horrible and the milage was never what they claimed. I believe that there are electrical issues now from all the water that it had.

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  Trouble since day 1 - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By R. Stradford - December 5 - 5:20 pm

  I have an 2007 Outlook and it is bad. Since the first month the car makes some sort of noise that they can not fix. The things in the inside keep breaking. Mirror, dashboard compartment, CD player. I must have a lemon car or something. I may not ever buy another Saturn again in my life. This has been the worst year as a car owner since I have been old enough to buy a car.

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  No No No - Youll be sorry if you do - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Never again - March 4 - 3:10 pm

  I have been told by the GM that there is a "ghost" in my car - he even went to bat for me with Saturn and they will do nothing - the control panel has constantly got a warning: air bags, tire pressure , ice on the road: none of which are true! The transmission bogs and surges uncontrollably, stereo, dvs, navigation work randomly - wanted to get out of the mini-van phase - BAD IDEA to do this with a Saturn! Onstar has told me to take my car in for service immediately - my air bag could or could not go off anytime. My families safety is far more important - Toyota Ill be back.And to top it off no light in the glove box. DONT WALK RUN FROM THIS NIGHTMARE - LOOKS ARENT EVERYTHING!

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  Transmission/Leaking W/ electrical issues - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Jenny - September 2 - 11:20 pm

  I purchased my Saturn Outlook XR in march of 2015 with 74,000 miles on it. 2 months after i had transmission issues. the warranty covered it and i only had to pay my 100 dollar warranty deductible. now my vehicle is leaking from under the dash to the left of my break. and the sky light in the second and third row is now leaking water and the back headliner lights are even having water through them. yesterday 3/24/2016 it flooded really bad on the driver side. it was not the sunroof either. because it was not even wet in that area i can see water coming from under dash. I am now having electrical problems because of water damage. my wipers wont turn off unless car is off my turning indicators went out after coming on, on their own and finally just failed. my windshield wiper fluid was spraying on its own and finally failed. My vehicle is going to dealer this coming up week and the dealer has already told me it wont be covered! I have seen so many people with the same or similar issues as my own! DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE, OR ACADIA, OR THE BUICK ENCLAVE. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone sees this and wants to contact me and has same problems i have contacted GM and i will not just go away!!![contact information removed]

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  Unhappy Outlook Owner - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Wet Outlook Owner - August 6 - 6:06 am

  We did a lot of research before buying this car. We have always been a Toyota family. We saw the Outlook and decided it was a match for us. We have had air conditioning issues since the second day we had the car. The air, when it is hot outside, will blow hot air. It kicks on and off doing that. Had it to the dealer 3 times for fix. They had to replace the entire control console. Then we had the car flooded 3 times because the sunroof is leaking. Terrible design allowing so much water to come into the car leaking from the sunroof. The transmission also seems to lag when shifting gears. We have had the car in for repairs a total of 8 times in 6 months. Toyota we will be back soon!

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  TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!!!! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By jd1979 - May 29 - 11:39 pm

  Sudden acceleration, hard shifting, not catching gears, slight hesitation when shifting gears is a few. It would usually work fine after pulling over and restarting the car. As time went by the car would not go out of first gear at times. It never lasted long enough to get it a half hour away to GM. I attempted to and by the time I arrived the light went off and it would be fine. Months later we had to have it towed in. AT 84,OOO MILES! two weeks later I received a call telling me what I already knew...that the 35 WAVE PLATE and VALVE CONTROL MODULE in my transmission needed replaced. Same problem EVERYONE IS HAVING w this car. Its a major flaw that needs to be RECALLED!!!!!