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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  Way better than expected - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Nan - January 29 - 2:20 pm

  After 4 years of driving a minivan we still needed to haul kids/dog/stuff but were tired of the mushy ride and uncomfortable seats of our otherwise well functioning minivan. Our Outlook has a responsive car-like feel, very comfortable seats, excellent seating configuration for third row passengers, very nice AWD without the high step-in of a similar sized SUV. The electronics are awesome. The third row head curtain airbags were a key safety feature that we wanted, and this car was one of the few that had that option. Its a very thoughtfully designed car with lots of bang for the buck. We contiunue to be very happily surprised by this vehicle.

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  Very satisfied with our choice - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By MM in Coral Springs - January 22 - 12:46 am

  Were very happy with our choice, the Outlook XR. Spacious, solidly built, attractive, this crossover has it all. Our XR has all the options we were looking for about $35K, except for the DVD and Nav. The only disappointment has been the gas mileage. Living in South Florida we continuosly have the A/C on and have averaged around 15 miles per gal.

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  New Outlook - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By J Liard - December 26 - 11:23 pm

  Love this CUV. Some mistake for Lexus SUV. Rides like a car and is much bigger inside than it looks. I take it on long trips and it’s very comfortable. Auto climate keeps temperature better than my Oldsmobile. It is a little loud in the cabin as far as engine noise, power steering and air conditioner compressor. Transmission is hard to get used to and it does shift funny even when you let off the gas at highway speed. If you are not heavy on the gas pedal as you start out it seems under powered but there is plenty of it there.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By jrickenbrode - December 25 - 12:33 am

  I bought my Outlook in 2088, it only had 16 miles on it. Today it turned over 111.000 miles. This has been the most reliable vehicle. I do a lot of driving and I have never had to have this in the shop beside for regular maintenance. Love this vehicle!

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  Love this Truck - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Karen - December 12 - 8:43 am

  I have loved this truck since the moment I sat in the drivers seat. It handles so smoothly. We drove it on many long trips and all passengers were very comfortable. All gagets are within perfect reach. It really holds 8 passengers comfortably. If I had to do it over again I would have stuck with the 7 passenger model because the middle seats were more like the driver seats and had more versatility in leaning them back further. Other than that I love my Saturn and cant believe there will be no more...

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  Fantastic Surprise - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Neil - November 24 - 3:20 am

  Excellent vehicle. Have a baby on the way. Had to get rid of my Wrangler and my wife had to get rid of her VW Beetle. But we are so pleased with the Outlook that is has made life a little easier. Didnt want a minivan and we found this. Nice ride, extremely comfortable, and feels sturdy.

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  Glad I got it. - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By dhmga - October 8 - 10:03 am

  Got this car because we needed the room. (5 grandkids) Came out of a Mercury Grand Marquis and have been really surprised at how much quieter and more comfortable this one is. We have made two extended trips so far and I am not impressed with the gas mileage getting 21.1 overall on both trips. Being a realist, this is about what I would expect from a vehicle of this size. My problem with the mileage is it is too far off from the estimates for it to not be intentional in my opinion maybe to keep from scaring some people away. We have yet to find anything bad about the car. Take a serious look at this one if you need more than 5 seats

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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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  Love it - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By sjgray8 - August 22 - 7:23 pm

  We needed a car that could carry 6 kids plus stuff and tow a boat and we didnt want a monster SUV. The Outlook is exactly what we needed. It carries all of us and our gear comfortably. Mileage isnt great, but its not a compact and we knew it going in.

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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!