Overview & Reviews
Before Saturn was forced to call it a career after the 2009 GM bankruptcy affair, the Saturn Vue was one of the company's more endearing products. The Vue debuted in 2002 as GM's first home-grown entry in the car-based small-SUV segment, it recorded solid sales but not much critical acclaim. To compensate for the latter, Saturn made steady improvements and expanded the Vue's model lineup with the high-performance Red Line and hybrid Green Line variants. Though still not as polished as other top compact SUVs, the first-generation Vue remained attractive because of its low price and Saturn's famed no-hassle buying experience.
Introduced for 2008, the second-generation Saturn Vue improved upon the original's formula in many areas. This Vue shared much of its basic structure with the Antara, a small SUV produced by Opel, GM's Germany-based European division. While we usually roll our eyes at so-called badge engineering, this was one instance where we were flag-waving fans. The second-generation Vue was a remarkable improvement over its forebear, looking and feeling like a European-designed car that just happened to have Saturn badges.
However, Saturn's departure from the scene changes our view of the Vue. Given the first-generation Vue's spotty reliability record and the second-generation's European parts sourcing, we'd advise steering clear of used Vues unless you find an outstanding deal that leaves room for expected maintenance costs.
Most Recent Saturn Vue
The second-generation Saturn Vue was produced from 2008-'09. Compared to the earlier Vue, it was very similar in size, with a nearly identical wheelbase and marginally greater width and height. However, its exterior was constructed of steel body panels. Although the old Vue's plastic ones prevented unsightly dings, they also looked cheap and created huge panel gaps. The second-generation Vue's interior was also higher in quality with improved ergonomics.
The five-passenger compact Vue crossover was available in three trim levels: base XE, midgrade XR and sporty Red Line. A 2.4-liter inline-4 that produced 164 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque was standard on the XE and for '09, on the XR. It was connected to a four-speed automatic. An optional 3.5-liter V6 was available on the XE, and it sent 215 hp and 220 lb-ft through a six-speed automatic. A 3.6-liter V6 (also matched to a six-speed auto) that generated 257 hp and 248 lb-ft was standard on the XR for '08 and optional for '09. The Red Line was available only with the 3.6-liter V6. A manual-shift feature for the automatic transmission was standard on the Red Line and optional on the XR. Front- or all-wheel drive was available on each trim.
When compared to other compact SUVs, the Vue was on the small side, with only 56 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, almost 20 cubes less than some of its key competitors. Passenger space was good, however, with a reclining rear seat that offered decent legroom. Front seat comfort was good as well, although some found the bottom cushions a little short and the seats in general lacking lateral and lumbar support.
In reviews of the front-drive Saturn Vue XR, we found it to be a real competitor in the rapidly expanding compact-SUV market. Although others offered more space or a more entertaining driving experience, the Vue made up for it with European-inspired styling, a well-built and attractive cabin, composed handling and respectably strong engine choices.
Past Saturn Vue Models
The first-generation Saturn Vue was produced from 2002-'07 with plastic body panels (the second-generation has steel) and no specific trim levels. Though this Vue's interior was always second-rate, it was notably improved for the 2006 model year; models built previously were even more deficient in terms of interior materials quality and ergonomics. One should also note that Saturn offered a continuously variable transmission (CVT) from the 2002-'05 model years. Fitted to the 143-hp 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, the CVT provided improved fuel mileage compared to the five-speed automatic. But long-term reliability was apparently an issue and Saturn discontinued it. It was replaced by a five-speed automatic as the optional transmission, while a five-speed manual remained standard equipment.
Finally, Vues built through the 2004 model year had a 181-hp, 3.0-liter V6 instead of the later Honda-engineered 3.5-liter V6 that was more refined and powerful with 250 hp. With this bigger engine came a few more features, including the option of all-wheel drive and the "Red Line" performance package.
In reviews, the first-generation Saturn Vue earned favorable commentary for its strong 3.5-liter V6 engine, roomy cabin, comfortable ride and dent-resistant plastic body panels. Noted downsides included below-average build quality, low-grade interior materials, vague steering and weak performance from the base four-cylinder engine.
User Reviews:
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A Lousy Car and Company - 2002 Saturn VUE
By Sandi Conner - July 28 - 11:36 amI have had nothing but trouble with this car from the get-go. First and foremost, when I bought it, I was supposedly buying one exactly like the car they used to "puppy-dog me" into buying one. Never did they mention mine was a 5 speed. All I got was the speech about the "free" upgrades. Since then I have had the gromet break in the transmission and oil "disappear". I have been through 3--yes 3--ignition coils and believe it or not, although I was guaranteed a "free" inspection every year, I have yet to get by without paying at least $20 for the installation of a broken light bulb. This year I took it somewhere else for an inspection, paid for the inspection and passed! DUH!
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RUN! - 2007 Saturn VUE
By Pekin08 - May 1 - 2:52 amThis vehicle is a pile of junk! I bought my 2007 Saturn Vue with 110,000 miles. It now has 125,000. In seven months I have had the wheel bearing and hub assembly replaced, the alternator, and now the air compressor just went out. The cost to replace an air compressor on 2007 Saturn Vue $835.
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VTi Transmission BAD NEWS - 2003 Saturn VUE
By bab702 - October 17 - 10:00 amDont buy this car!!! We ended up PAYING $5,500 dollars to get OUT of the car! It was in the shop reguarly and the service at Saturn of Metairie was the pits! NEVER got any call backs on trying to get out of the VUE; until we traded it in of course! The transmission gave us problems almost immediately...and service dept. could never pin point the problem...it was on going until we got rid of it! Dont make the same mistake! You wont save money in the long run! If you must make sure you like the service department....you will see them A LOT!!!
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Id rather be driving an import - 2004 Saturn VUE
By Dissatisfied - August 31 - 8:50 pmVery poorly built car. I have had the vehicle less then 2 years it has been in for service at least a dozen times. Ive actually lost count. Engine problems, buttons that fall into the dash, doors that wont open, CD player stops working, switches that get stuck, etc. Im afraid of going on long trips in fear it will leave me stranded. The seats have little support and the rear seats are too low. The front a-pillars are too wide and create large blind spots. Lots of interior road noise. Loud interior vibrations created when the A/C fan is operating. Hard to locate the passenger front and rear window switches when driving without averting attention away from the road.
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Think Again!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
By Bad_Vue - January 7 - 2:00 amHopefully you have not purchased your Vue yet! Please consider and read all the low rating reviews first. Here is a list of problems that have gone wrong with a year of time: 1)Inaccurate fuel reading, 2)Low gas mileage, 3)Steering wheel noisy when turning, 4)Check Engine Light On (Even today had to bring in. 4 Time in 1 week. Replaced upper and lower fuel sensor. Fuel pressure switch. Still came on a day later after service. Just have to live with it, Service writers words!
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Piece of junk do not buy - 2003 Saturn VUE
By Saturn owner - September 27 - 5:06 amI just purchased what I believed to be a nice little reliable SUV, WRONG! After buying it I was driving it home and half way there the transmission failed! Completely gave out, I have a full 100 point inspection done before purchasing it and it cleared everything no problems. Even the transmission according to the inspection was in perfect running order. I am now having to pay between 5000-7000 to replace it and am out a vehicle. I had no idea I was getting such a piece of junk when I bought it. I would never buy a Saturn again and warn anyone to stay clear away. I wish I had seen all these negative reviews before purchasing it!
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Beware - 2003 Saturn VUE
By LKO - June 20 - 10:50 amThis is a really bad SUV. Do not buy, many things will break such as windshield washer pump, head gasket,oil will appear like a frappichino. All this will happen at 70K. This car is a total piece beware.
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Worst Car Ever - 2002 Saturn VUE
By 2002vue1229 - June 12 - 9:31 amOne month after purchasing this car the engine light and wrench light came on. The DRLs will turn off and on randomly, the horn will come on randomly and wont shut off. Now the vehicle wont start. I shut it off at home and the next day it wouldnt start. This happened once before and I had to reset the security system and it worked, now nothing will work. I dont know what to do with this junk. Dont buy this car!!!
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Dont ever buy a Saturn Hybrid - 2007 Saturn VUE
By pdberry - October 7 - 6:26 pmWe bought this car a year ago. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Hybrid, fuel efficient, American made too. We made a huge mistake. This has to be one of the worst cars ever made. The handling, ride, power, finish are all lousy. Plus, the bottom line is, our year old car is broken, and Saturn do not know how to fix it, nor do they care. Run in the other direction from this vehicle, and from Saturn in general. Never, ever, ever again will we buy a Saturn.
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$6000 in repairs, stay away. GM makes bad cars - 2007 Saturn VUE
By Fedup - March 12 - 3:57 pmBought car with 20,000 miles. At 70,000, hybrid battery crapped out. At 90,000, engine needed to be replaced. At 107,000 transmission. At 110,000, fuel pump and now at 119,00, $1200 GM only alternator. Biggest headache and GM wont do a thing.
