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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  Love it! - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Jason - May 26 - 11:00 am

  I bought my VUE after owning 2 body on frame SUVs and wasnt sure if I would like it. Turns out, I love it! Love the smooth ride, smooth powertrain, and performance. Its so quick, I take people by suprise at stop lights all the time. Love the manumatic transmission. Piled 4 family members and all their luggage for a week and went on a trip. Never noticed a change in performance. Love the exterior styling, stands out on the road. OnStar is awesome. I wish the front seats were wider and provided more lateral support. Heated seats are great. Love Auto Start. Foul weather stability is great. Stabilitrak and AWD are seamless. Handles Pacific Northwest winters with no problems. I feel safe in it.

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  Red Line Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By djw479 - May 25 - 11:20 pm

  I have really enjoyed this vehicle @10500 miles. My last vehicle was a 2001 Toyota Highlander LTD AWD so I can compare easily to this Toyotas quality. 1) Fun to drive = Vue; horsepower makes all the difference. Also the VUE suspension is much more tuned to the city/highway driving we all do with very little additional harshness. The Vue carves thru corners. If you go off- road and climb boulders look elsewhere. 2)Interior style and execution. The style/design of the VUE interior is on par with the HLs layout, but the Vues hard plastic interior does not have the tactile feel of the Hls fake leather surfaces. 3) Build quality - surprising the VUE is almost as quiet as the HL.

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  Wind Noise - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ozman - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my Suburban for a Vue hoping to find better fuel economy and reliability. So far the vehicle has performed well. However, the wind noise from the roof rack is unbearable.I took it back to the dealer and they were unable to fix the problem. Allegedly, Saturn is aware of this problem. Having known this prior to my purchase, I would have passed on the Vue.

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  Unhappy customer - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By acerjac - May 23 - 1:16 am

  Purchase our vue in Nov. The first week we had it the check engine light came on and the panel went out. The dealer reset the code and told us it was the gas cap. After another week or two the check engine light came on again. To make a long story short. We have had our vue in 8 or 9 times to the dealer. Parts have been replaced and wire harnesess spliced. We requested a buy back from GM. My wifes father worked for GM for 35 years. The bottom line is they told us too bad. Offered extended warrenty only. The dealer would not even work with us on a trade in. Offered 21000 for trade on a 30000 vue with 3000 miles. I will NEVER buy GM again. Avoid the problems stay away from this and saturn.

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  Unbelievable car - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By TazMan1942 - May 20 - 1:53 pm

  I purchased my first Saturn, a VUE, and my wife and are extremely happy with the car. I am very impressed with the smooth acceleration and shifting tranny. I know the engine is a Honda, but I was curious about the transmission as we tow it behind our RV. I spoke with a Saturn technician and he gave me great detail about the tranny being a oil bath system built by Honda as well. In fact it apprears the front drive train including the axle is all Honda. GM definitely did the right thing here. I would give the car a 10 but the only negitive is the steering when accelerating in a short turn. It sometime acts a little loose feeling. But on a whole we love this car.

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  Best SUV I have ever owned - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By pstrkrk - May 18 - 9:50 pm

  Only thing I dont like is I can only drive it when my wife is asleep or out of town! Plenty of power, Striking color (Laser Blue), comfortable even for large adults, Great sound out of top end stereo. Getting 30+mpg on straight highway driving but only 19-22 around town. Get lots of looks and comments.

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  VUE FWD V6 - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By paleomike - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Having had several saturn vehicles, along with other makes. We still enjoyed the dealership experience. The VUE has been good, fun to drive, easy entry, lots of space, good performance and reasonsable gas milage. Except for one annoying rattle, overall a good value for the price.

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  Satisfied - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By phrank - May 15 - 5:00 am

  The V6 suits me to to a tee. Lots of power when you need it and yet maintains a decent mileage figure. The AWD is great in unpredictable New England road surfaces.

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  A different point of VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Lori K - May 11 - 10:00 am

  We have had our VUE for about 6 months and we are very pleased with it. The engine has a lot of power for its size and is very responsive. We drive a lot of hours and the seats are very comfortable. Gas mileage is great too, we dont see a big difference between or VUE and the Civic that we used to drive. Plus, its just so darn cute! However, this is not an off-road vehicle;if you need off road capabilities, look elsewhere.

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  Not A Satisfied Vue Owner - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Tawanda - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Interior quality stinks. Rattles all over the place,most of which cant be fixed according to the shop. Drivers seat (leather, heated) is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat on. My back hurts all the time. This will definitely be my first and only Saturn product. Once I left the showroom with my car the only thing the salesman worried about was that I give him a good rating. Havent heard from him since and he knows I am having major problems.