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 great car! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Lynn Hrenko - October 21 - 9:33 pm

  This is probably my most favorite car since I started driving 44 years ago! The gas mileage is great as well as the comfort. It is probably the most inexpensive hybrid vehicle on the market. I would buy another if I were doing it today.

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  Good solid SUV - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By jafick - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I got the sport edition and really enjoy it for the most part. Its a four cylinder stick, but surprisingly peppy. Excellent fuel mileage considering its an SUV. Whats really neat is some of the features. I really like the ride and the new electronic steering (derives power electronically versus ol power steering off the engine). Resistance on the steering lowers with speed and once you get used to it, its pretty cool. Overall, I like it and would buy it again. The best thing about it though? The price! Less than $16 grand for power everything (including moonroof), ABS and AWD. Fantastic!

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  Hybrid Plus - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Michele - October 18 - 8:03 am

  Nice and quiet. Great mileage. Could have done more with interior and increased the quality, but for a mid-size SUV, it is acceptable. Great basic surround sound.

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  Love my Hybrid - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Albert - October 17 - 9:43 pm

  Looking for an SUV Hybrid? This is the one. I have been very happy with my hybrid since I bought it 2 months ago. Just wish it was capable with the OnStar onscreen navigation, only complaint. But drives great and has saved me on gas! Fill up once a week instead of 2x a week

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  VTi Transmission BAD NEWS - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By bab702 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Dont 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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  Love my VUE - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Clara - October 14 - 7:13 pm

  I am very happy with my 2nd Saturn purchase. I can see myself always owning a Saturn. I still believe its the best kept secret around.

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  Saturn VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By carman - October 12 - 10:43 pm

  The Saturn VUE is an affordable compact SUV. Its compact size allows for easy road management and drivability,in addition to the ease of transporting large items. The drivers seat I find to be quite comfortable with good back support. I would buy the VUE again, especially the green line with better gas mileage.

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  Awesome - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Tom - October 12 - 6:46 am

  Just picked up our VUE last week and so this review is based on only 7 days of driving, but so far, this is an awesome purchase! Dealer was great to work with and we have no complaints about the vehicle so far. A 6 cylinder would have been in the running when we bought if the mileage had been a bit better. However, so far, the 4 Cyl has done well in both city driving and on the highway. This is not the engine if you want to run at 200km/hr, however, if you drive properly and are not trying to win any land-speed records, this is the vehicle/engine for you! We looked at the CRV, RAV4 and CX-7 and this was definitely the best-buy of them all! What are you waiting for, go test drive one!

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  Oh, The noises! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By nancy - October 11 - 2:50 pm

  We traded our Chevy Blazer for a new Vue. The Blazer had more room upfront and all over. The Vue had a nice price for what we could afford in an SUV but please - After 15,000 miles - the road noise was enough to make you lose your mind!! We have so many rattling windows and the wind blowing makes them vibrate. Need to wear your ear plugs and plug in an ipod for playing music real loud so you dont hear all the noises this thing makes. Dont take to a dearlership - they pretend to work on all of it and just say that it is the same noise in a Lexus. What a joke. They will never fix the problem as it is nothing but a cheap piece of metal

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  I live at the repair shop! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Ricky Reynolds - October 11 - 10:00 am

  2003 Saturn VUE has had serious engineer flaws, to include suspension problems times two.The vehicle has 3 onbaord computers that do not function well & as a result will not report problems such as transmission slipping & completely going into a neutral state. The computer that controls the dash panel cause many of the warning lights to malfunction but never registered. No register, not get fixed says Saturn, unless they see it happen. I was luck on the way out it malfunctioned. The computer never registered a problem. Same thing with the transmission. Computer never registers an error.