2008 Saturn Vue Xr

2008 SATURN VUE XR

The second-generation VUE is very different from the first. The new generation’s unibody structure was developed by several General Motors corporate bodies and sold in Europe as the Antara. Gone then are the polymer body panels. The VUE is a bit larger in size than the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape, and a bit smaller than the Hyundai Santa Fe. The VUE is offered in XE, XR, Green Line (hybrid) and Red Line trims. All can be obtained in front- or four-wheel drive, except the Green Line, available only as a front-drive.

Interior and cargo area

The easily accessed front seats are firm. As the seat cushion is a bit short, some people won’t find the seats all that comfortable. The driving position is good but would be better if the steering wheel were telescopic. The front passenger seatback folds flat to accommodate long cargo.

Getting into the back is easy, but getting out is complicated by the lack of room between the B-pillar and the seat cushion. The bench seat is firm, and comfortable for two adults. There is practically no foot room in the middle, which probably explains why there is no head restraint, either. The 60/40- split seatback folds completely flat, and each section reclines to several different angles.

Cargo capacity is less than average, partly because the ceiling is lower near the hatch than elsewhere and partly because of the sharp forward angle of the C-pillars, which limit the height of objects that can be placed inside. There is a small vertical net, but it barely reaches half the height of the bench seatback. The rear hatch opens wide. Convenience and safety features

Cabin finish is very well executed and clearly superior to the previous generation. The quality of materials is good, except for some cheap-looking plastic in the middle of the dash. There were cracking sounds from the dashboard of our test vehicle, especially during warm-up. Road and wind noise are insufficiently dampened. There are plenty of storage spaces, including a big glove compartment and a reasonably roomy centre console.

Gauges and controls are sensibly laid out, except the stability control, which is too close to the rear wiper control. The rear wiper has only one intermittent cycle. There is no engine temperature gauge in the instrument panel, not even a blue thermometer symbol that would light up during the warm-up period. On sunny days, the radio display is hard to read. The climate control system is efficient. The radio antenna, placed in the middle at the end of the roof, can get in the way when carrying cargo.

Safety-wise, the VUE comes with dual front, side and curtain airbags, two active front head restraints, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and stability control. The two rear head restraints do not adjust high enough for tall people. Visibility is a problem in several areas. On a three-quarter-rear angle, the rear head restraints and C-pillars create large blind zones. The wide A-pillars limit the view on an angle to the front. Lastly, the rear window’s lack of height makes it very hard to judge distances when backing up. The headlights lack intensity and range, especially in the low-beam position.

In U.S. government crash tests, the VUE obtained four stars, out of five, for driver protection, and five stars for front-passenger protection, in a frontal impact, and five stars for all-occupant protection in a side crash. Rollover resistance earned it four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the VUE a good rating, its highest, for driver protection in a frontal offset collision and for all-occupant protection in both the side and rear crash tests.

Engine and transmission

The 3.6L V6 develops 252 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque, allowing the VUE to move along with alacrity. However, the engine has a bit of a growl, and the throttle lacks progressiveness when reaccelerating after slowing down. With an average fuel consumption of 13.3 litres, during our test of the four-wheel-drive model, and a 63-litre fuel tank, fuel autonomy was not impressive. This engine meets New LEV2 Low Emissions Vehicle standards. The six-speed automatic transmission usually shifts very smoothly, but it hesitates at times when reaccelerating. Transmission gearing is good. The manual mode is a bit slow, but it lets you select second or third gear to reduce wheel spin when starting off on a slippery surface. The on-demand all-wheel-drive system directs torque to the rear wheels when it detects front-wheel spin, or in sharp acceleration. It can even send torque to just one wheel if the other three are spinning, and it does so quite quickly.

On the road

The four-wheel independent suspension has been very well tuned for firmness, with just enough flexibility to ensure good comfort on almost any surface. The reaction is firm at times, but never harsh. Road holding is good, with little body lean. The VUE feels solid on the road.

The power steering is a bit heavy, especially at low speed. It is precise, stable, relatively quick and provides some road feel. The turning circle is rather wide. Braking power is average, with good fade resistance after several successive panic stops.

Inspection

In an inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we saw that the underside of the VUE is very sturdy, but there is no rust proofing and none of the joints are sealed. The emergency brake is well designed. The lower part of the fuel filler pipe is exposed to road projections. There are four openings under the front bumper through which debris can enter and damage the air-conditioner condenser. The overhead camshafts on the 3.6L V6 are chain driven.

Conclusion

The new VUE is clearly superior to the old one, especially as concerns the quality of materials, assembly and road comportment. With several trim lines and four different engines, this vehicle should appeal to many buyers. However, the below-average cargo capacity and the limited fuel autonomy of the four-wheel-drive model with the 3.6L V6 may send some looking elsewhere, as may the cost of replacement parts such as brakes and the muffler.

PROS: lively engine (3.6L), sturdy platform, well-tuned suspension, smooth transmission, front-seat comfort, choice of models. CONS: perfectible sound dampening, 4WD fuel autonomy, cargo capacity, heavy steering, openings under front bumper, fuel economy, high cost of certain parts.

2008 SATURN VUE (except Hybrid)

Engine: 16-valve, 2.4-litre 4-cylinder; 12-valve, 3.5-litres V6; 24-valve, 3.6-litres V6 Horsepower: 169 hp at 6,200 rpm; 222 hp at 5,900 rpm; 252 hp at 6,400 rpm Torque: 161 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm; 219 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm; 241 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm Transmission: 4-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic (with V6) Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 270.7 cm Length: 457.6 cm Width: 185 cm Height: 170.4 cm Weight: 1,735 to 1,962 kg Tires: P235/65R16; P235/60R17; P235/55R18 Maximum towing capacity: 1,588 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags

Fuel consumption with 3.6-litres engine and 4X4 system: Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 13.2 L/100 km (21 mpg) Highway: 8.9 L/100 km (31.5 mpg) Test result: 13.3 L/100 km (21.5 mpg) Test temperature: 3°C to 12°C

Fuel tank capacity: 73 litres (4X4: 63 litres)

Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 7.2 seconds 60–100 km/h: 5.7 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, Jeep Compass et Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Pontiac Torrent, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4 Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/160,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 6 years/160,000 km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control.module)

Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,213 Front brake disc: $199 Brake pads: $172 Muffler: $1,158 Front fender: $377

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $950 to $1,113

Price according to trim level: XE 4X2: $26,900 XE 4X4: $31,275 XR 4X4: $33,920 Red Line 4X2: $36,020 Red Line 4X4: $38,605

Main options: Premium package: $1,070 (XE and XR) Radio with navigation system: $3,655 Leather package: $1,490 (XR)

Price as tested: $36,085

Freight and preparation: $1,200

Dealers: Quebec: 17 Canada: 63