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:

• 

  2007 Saturn Vue FWD 2.2L - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By allglock - April 27 - 11:06 pm

  I was looking for something that got decent gas mileage. Thats about all I got! Ride is noisy and sloppy. Overall, not fun to drive. Engine and transmission noise is very loud. Seats feel like you are going to fall out of them when making turns. Drives like a boat on water. I guess its the price I have to pay for decent gas mileage and interior room.

• 

  Totally Thrilled - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Lt2 - April 27 - 7:13 am

  This SUV is so fun to drive. It has great pick up and handles great at highway speeds as well as city driving. After buying a Saturn I doubt I will want to buy anything else.

• 

  Pleasantly surprised - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Nancy - April 25 - 9:20 pm

  No one is more surprised than me that I really love my new Saturn VUE. I have never owned an SUV or a GM product before - I have always had 2- door sports cars, mostly made in Japan. I am most impressed with the power and the roominess (for a small SUV) of my VUE. I really like the way the interior looks and the comfort of the seats, as compared with many of the other SUV models I test-drove. It has a smooth, quiet ride and a lot of features and upgrades found on pricier SUVs. Plus, I couldnt beat the 0% financing. So far, I am very satified.

• 

  Quality for the price. - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By DP Moore - April 25 - 10:00 am

  For the money, rides great, ecomony is good and looks like the best. My wife has a back that acts up and its hard for her to find a seat thats comfortable. The Vue fits the bill. Not only is the seat just right, the seating is more than ample in both the front and rear. Im over 6 and was surprised at how comfortable I was in the front seats.

• 

  Pleasantly suprised - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By toyotanut - April 25 - 6:20 am

  I feel like I am driving a Lexus. Finally a 4 cylinder SUV with some kick and good gas mileage. If you convert the EPA to last years standards it gets 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. Not bad considering the power.

• 

  Have Never Been So Disappointed - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Ednava58 - April 20 - 2:00 pm

  I wish I never bought the 2002 Saturn VUE. When I first test drove it, it had no heat and it was in 12/02, before purchasing the car they promised to fix it. Well the dealer had my car more than I did and it became a joke at work and with friends. I would always hear, oh it is in the shop AGAIN. I told them I had transmission problems, of course they say there was nothing wrong. Well in 2008 I was still having problems with the transmission and the service manager checked my VIN and found out that I was ONE number away from getting a new transmission, but no luck. I lost all power one day entering on the highway, oh so many things went wrong with this thing they call a VUE.

• 

  Excellent choice for the price - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RJules - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my Saturn now for a year and I love it. I went looking at other GMC brands and saw that you can get the same performance from my Saturn for half the Price of the GMC Denali. My only let down is that the nearest dealer is 70 miles away, so I do all of my own maintenance. If I had to do it again, I would buy 2 VUEs. I love this SUV.

• 

  Saturn losing its charm. - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By David Bonanno - April 19 - 2:00 am

  After a wonderful dealer experience with my first Saturn several years ago, my Vue experience was akin to the same old typical b.s.you expect elsewhere. This manual is difficult to shift and noone can seem to fix it. The size is great and its wonderful on the highway, but I wouldnt do it again.

• 

  New Car, Great Car - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Toby - April 16 - 9:56 am

  This vehicle is very comfortale, with captain style seats in the front. Very appealing interior and sleek exterior. Very quiet engine with little wind noise, great acceleration and smooth ride

• 

  Go for it! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Jay - April 15 - 3:20 pm

  The 06 is a great improvement over our 03 VUE AWD. We still have the 03 and now have an 06 brother for her. I really enjoy the acceleration and the ride height. The interior seems tighter now and has improved to what you would expect out of a car. I really like the new seat material and the heated seats. I would of never bought heated seats for a car, now I wouldnt buy one without it. The new Euro style exterior design is most appealing. The wind and engine noise is less now. The VUE is no more of a soccer moms car than any other, if you want to impress the chicks, buy a sports car. If you want to save the money and buy an enjoyable SUV that wont break your wallet, go for the VUE