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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  Glad To Drive a Standard! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ifmullins891 - October 5 - 10:55 am

  My Saturn (which we purchased used) has been great...until recently. We put a lot of miles on the poor thing and use it for all that its worth and it still starts up! If youre looking for a car to get you from point A to point B with no particular thrills or any real "excitement," then I would absolutely recommend only this model. However, I highly recommend you DONT tow anything heavy with this car...it just cant handle it! However, I have no real complaints (didnt replace the clutch until recently and have only started to see some problems with the car). She has almost 168,000 miles and shes still going (fairly) strong. Go VUE!

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  Bad transmission!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Lara - October 2 - 11:50 pm

  I bought this car used in 2007 for $8,000CAN with 110,000km on it (68,000 miles). Shortly after that it needed a drive chain, which was about $1,000. Everything was fine after that until last week! Although I love the look of this suv, I am disgusted that my transmission just blew at 143,00km (89,000 miles)! My mechanic said the transmissions in them are weak and prone to fail. They cost more to rebuild than to replace, and the cost of to replace the transmission is about $5000 all said and done. Unbelievable! It is not worth spending that kind of money so Im left with a vehicle worth about $800 and have to purchase something else. Very disappointing that this was not a RECALL.

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  2004 VUE Tow Car - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Aug/Bev - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I pruchased the 2004 VUE as a Tow car for my Motorhome. It is easy to handle and light enough to tow 4 on the floor. As a around the town vehicle, it is fun to drive. I would suggest it to all my friends to buy, especially to those who travel by motorhome.

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  So far, Sooo good! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By LuckyDay - September 29 - 10:00 am

  All the way around, this is a solid vehicle. Overall quality, performance, appearance and comfort have all been as good as (or better than) I hoped. There dont seem to have been a lot of these sold in myarea; Ive been stopped 3 times in the past 2 days by people wanting to know what it was, and where they could get one!

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  Nice AWD - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Dave - September 27 - 10:13 pm

  I have now owned this V6 AWD for 20 months, and it has been very reliable. I have 34,000 miles on it and have recently had the front strut mounts replaced. I was hearing a squeeky noice on bumps at slower speeds. Covered under warranty.I really like the V6 power train/transmission. Fuel economy has been good for V6/AWD small SUV.

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  My Saturn - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By debra merryman - September 27 - 9:46 pm

  I love my Saturn. It drives very nice and I can get in any spot. It is very big inside and I use it to pick up supplies for work all the time. This SUV was made for shopping.

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  Best Little SUV Made - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By pzimmer - September 26 - 4:16 pm

  This is our 3rd Vue. We bought one in 05, 06 and 07 and still own the 06 & 07. We love getting 28 mpg on trips and with a hitch, it pulls our 3000+ lb boat/trailer. The V6 is a Honda engine and has been perfect with lots of snap. It has lots of cargo room and has been our "truck" to carry "everything". Gotta love the plastic sides, dent free. We would buy the same vehicle again, but we cant find anything out there to compare. It has the right combination of features that we wanted. This vehicle was highly under rated. To us, it is the perfect small SUV.

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  Amazing car! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By capitolcars - September 26 - 3:08 pm

  This was such a great car; I cried when I found out Saturn was shutting down and I wouldnt be able to buy another new one. Bought it brand new for my brand new 50-mile each way commute. Its the perfect marriage of fuel-efficiency and SUV comfort. No problems with it at all, drove it from new till 75K miles before I traded it in for a new car; I wish I hadnt.

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  Wont buy this ever again.... - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Nicole0429 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This car has been back in the shop so many times, that i lost count! Ive replaced so many sensors...and the gasket on the intake manifold already let go! Also, i had to replace the windshield fluid sprayers twice!!!! I definately wont be going back to a Saturn!!!

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  A Wonderful Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By May17Vue - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle less than 2 months and I am very pleased with the gas mileage and the comfortableness in it. I also like the fact that it looks good and that it does not dent like similar vehicles. Also for being one of the cheaper Vues, it is quite loaded and most of the features are standard rather than optional.It is a very fun vehicle to drive and I want to drive it everywhere.