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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  I hate my Saturn VUE! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Rachel Pena - October 11 - 6:46 pm

  I have been in and out of the Saturn dealerships for service, and have been in touch with the corporate office numerous times to make complaints. My SUV isnt even two years old yet and is falling apart! I am not hard on my car and do not feel that it is normal for a vehicle to fall apart like this VUE has. The plastic that it is made of is a poor quality. The door panel falls off with temperature changes. The center console falls out of place. The doors shift. The service dept at dealer level and at corp level say that this is what the warranty is for, but I feel that I should not have to take my time to bring it in for warranty work on a monthly basis. They do not stand behind the product

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  High Performance Crossover - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By labanstick - October 6 - 9:26 pm

  My Vue has excellent performance and handling so feels like a sports luxury vehicle to me. The fit and finish is great and the interior is spacious for my family with two young boys!

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  First Saturn - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By hgranat - October 4 - 7:46 am

  I purchased the XE model with the 4-Cylinder after comparing the CR-V, Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mercury Mariner. The Saturn had the best look to it and best features for the money and the quietest ride - also for the American brands had the best resale value. I have had a few fit and finish issues that the dealer easily fixed. Another posting mentioned a problem with the 4 speed automatic transmission with erratic behavior and gear-dropping to accelerate. Last week during the recall for the "Brake Control Module" the transmission was reprogrammed and works significantly better - like it should have in the first place. Performance is greatly enhanced!

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  Saturn kept the Opel in the Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Mainer - October 2 - 1:56 pm

  My gas mileage is well above the EPA rating; 19.5 & 26. The handling is very good and the AWD worked very well in our record year of snow; 198". The VUE was called back for a software upgrade and the battery in the OnStar died. No other problems.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By loopylav - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I like my VUE a lot. I have had it for just over a month and have enjoyed every minute of driving it. I have had a few warranty issues dealing mainly with interior build quality, but nothing to turn me off. The mechanicals (i.e. drivetrain, brakes, etc.) have been superb and are the reason that I am so happy. The VUE handles very well, this comming from a previous Civic owner. The dealership experience has been the best and most consistent I have ever had. No complaints there. I recommend checking it out, that is how we got into the VUE. We were just so impressed

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  Love the VUE! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By cbarbee - September 29 - 10:00 am

  A great SUV for the money. Dealer offered a "Sport Package" for 160.00 which included:Alloy Wheels, CD, Sunroof, Power Package, Light Dimmer rearview mirror.

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  Severely Disappointed - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Wendi O - September 24 - 7:46 pm

  Wanted to buy American and took a chance on the VUE Red Line. Owned it for less than one year and already it has been in the shop 4 times. It comes out worse than when it went in. A/C has gone out 3 times in the heat of Vegas. Weird cracking sound in the dash when you drive anywhere is annoying and the mechanics have been unable to fix it after taking the damned dash apart twice! Now they are trying to tell me that it is "normal sound" and to ignore it. Test drove one from the dealership just to prove them wrong. Gas mileage supposed to average 15-19 in city....lucky to get 15. And now the low gas indicator just stopped working

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  THE V-6 IS FLAT TOWABLE!!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RICK CARTER - September 24 - 2:00 am

  UNLIKE WHAT IT SAYS IN THE INFORMATION AREA REGUARDING THE SATURN VUE, THERE WERE AND ARE SOME INCENTIVES WHEN FINANCING OR PAYING CASH ON THE SATURN VUE. WE PAID CASH AND WERE ABLE TO TAKE $2,000 OFF THE STICKER. IN MY BOOK, $2,000 IS A SIZABLE INCENTIVE ON A VEHICLE THAT NOT ONLY HAS A HONDA ENGINE BUT ALSO A HONDA TRANSMISSION. AND ITS FLAT TOWABLE!! WHAT A DEAL. THANKS SATURN.

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  Transmission bad - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Alan - September 23 - 8:06 pm

  This car was clean! Bought it used and 6 days later the CVT transmission went out. The dealership took it back because it was too costly for them to repair and they said the mechanics would not stand behind it if they did. The CVT transmission is junk!

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  vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By zoe - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Bad paint spots on gold vue 2002. Had rear cargo door replaced but still have spots all over the vehicle that they said is the metallic in the paint. It looks like a safari vue.