2004 Saturn Vue

2004 Saturn Vue
Tom Collins
The Auto Answerman
AM 760 Radio
Denver

Vehicle Type: Small AWD SUV
Price Range:
Price as tested: N/A

Pros:
Honda power, Safety, Ride, Handling, Fuel Economy, Comfort, Audio System

Cons:
Not for off-road use, interior quality could be better.

Overview:
The VUE is Saturn’s entry into the compact SUV market doing battle with the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. The VUE is just slightly larger than it’s competitors and one-ups the CR-V and RAV-4 with the available V-6 engine. The Saturn is the only compact SUV with an optional DVD player. The larger and more powerful VUE is a worthy competitor in this field. A higher performance ‘Red Line’ version is now available. AWD or Front-Wheel Drive is offered.

Under the Hood:
Our beautiful black onyx VUE came loaded with the aforementioned Honda 3.5 engine with AWD and a 5-speed automatic. With 250 horses and 242 pound feet of torque on tap the 3500-pound VUE accelerates smartly while delivering decent fuel economy. On a trip up to Wyoming I averaged 25 MPG at 80 MPH…ok, 84 MPH if you must know! I have always kind of knocked Saturn for their ‘coffee grinder’ engines. This 3.5 Honda, which you will also find the Odyssey Mini-van and Pilot, sings like a sewing machine and blows away the competition in terms of driving fun. Power to the people! Front-wheel drive models can be purchased with a 2.2 liter engine with your choice of a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With this unit variable drive pulleys determine ‘ratio’. The ‘shift-less’ CVT is said to provide the simplicity of an automatic with the fuel economy of a manual. My advice: Drive the V6.

On the Road:
If you were planning to go ‘off the road’ with the VUE think again. Saturn has designed this vehicle for cruising with fully independent suspension and fat 17-inch wheels. (Base versions get 16” wheels) The low-profile tires give the VUE and low-stance and impressive handling especially around corners. You’ll forget you are driving an SUV, oh, I forgot, it’s a VUE! I expected a rough ride but surprisingly, the VUE was quite comfortable. The ride is not soft but it’s not jarring either. Score one for GM engineering. The electric power steering has gotten some bad press among my colleagues but frankly I didn’t think it was that bad. Most drivers will not notice the slightly ‘numb’ road feel.
The brakes feel solid even though I was surprised to find drums on the rear. This vehicle should have 4-wheel discs. ABS is standard on all V6 equipped VUE’s. The powerful V6 and sure-footed handling make this a fun to drive vehicle.

Inside:
We had the optional leather interior in our VUE and it was of good quality. The seats in fact were very comfortable. In the back you’ll find excellent legroom. The seats fold down providing 63.5 feet of cargo room. I was able to haul a wood lathe back there on my return trip from Wyoming. The trip to the boonies was made much more enjoyable thanks to the optional XM Satellite Radio and killer sound system. If you have never experienced XM it’s worth taking a look at. There is something like 250 separate programming choices. As an old radio guy I was skeptical but no more. I believe XM costs around $10.00 a month. If I were a trucker or a traveling salesman this would be a must have. On star is also available. The interior is pretty well laid out. I appreciated the overhead compass and outside temp feature. The VUE affords a pretty good view out and the low stance of the vehicle makes for easy access. It’s the lowest step-in height I’ve experienced in any SUV. Handy for the ladies and those of short stature. Cheap looking door handles distract from the interior.

Safety:
As I mentioned, ABS is standard on the V6 and optional on 4-cylinder models. Crash test results have been excellent with perfect 5-star ratings for frontal and side impacts. Head curtain air bags are optional on all models. It’s a worthwhile option. The test scores noted above were with head curtain protection. Of course, On-star is another option worth considering. In the event of a crash resulting in airbag deployment local authorities are contacted. It could be a lifesaver. Safety is enhanced by the All-Wheel-Drive system too especially in wet slippery weather.

Bottom Line:
The Saturn Vue is an impressive vehicle. It’s slightly larger size, comfort and power give it an edge over its smaller competitors. The VUE would make an excellent all-weather commuter vehicle and it’s 20-ish around town fuel economy is good for an SUV. Many will consider its plastic exterior panels a plus and surely there are some advantages. They won’t dent or rust and they are ding resistant. The VUE is nicely styled but to me at least, the panels don’t shine like steel. I guess I’m old-fashioned. In spite of my slight reservations I must give Saturn credit for a good styling job. The VUE’s low stance, fat tires and big wheels give it a nice look. For more performance check out the ‘Red Line’ version featuring even bigger tires and mostly cosmetic upgrades. Would I recommend this vehicle? Absolutely.
Call Auto Answerman Buying Consultants for purchase information at 720-560-3657

Tom Collins
July 12th 2004