Overview

The gas/electric hybrid, called the "Green Line," is the only SUV from GM with this engine configuration. The Saturn Vue is a compact SUV built on a mid-size truck platform, the same as other General Motors products including the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent SUVs.

Personally, I would like to see all compact passenger vehicles get well over 30 MPG in town and over 40 on the highway. Anything less is wasteful. The technology exists, yet the automakers don't use it. It's a shame, especially when you consider that China's fuel-economy standards are higher than our own.

The Saturn Vue Green Line's gas/electric hybrid engine provided about a 20% increase in fuel economy over similar vehicles with gasoline-only engines. That's not much when you consider you're starting at around 22 MPG on the highway for a gas powered engine and getting 25 from the hybrid.

Both the hybrids and the gasoline powered engines provide poor gas mileage. The Saturns -- both gas powered, and hybrid fuel – get around-town mileage in the high teens and low 20s, and highway mileage in the mid-20s. That just isn't enough to be considered environmentally friendly. You'll save a little money on gas, but you won't be doing much for the environment, nor decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.

Another annoyance -- hopefully to be resolved by changes in the EPA's reporting of fuel economy -- was that our fuel tests found the reported EPA city mileage of the Green Line to be between 10 and 15% higher than actual, and the highway mileage to be 25% higher than actual. Tisk, tisk, tisk. Because the fuel savings just isn't there we have compared the Saturn Vue Green Line to both hybrid fuel engine vehicles, and those with standard internal combustion engines powerd by gasoline.

Pros: Relatively inexpensive. Roomy interior for passengers. Lots of interior cargo space. Nice wide, flat cargo floor. Engine shuts off automatically when stopped, and turns on seamlessly.

Cons: No significant gas savings and little reduction in green house gas emissions. Poor acceleration. Road noise in cabin. Fold-flat passenger seats don't fold flat.

MSRP: $17,475 - $23,710

Invoice: $16,339 - $22,169

Vehicle Price As Tested (including $625 destination charge): $23,750

Class: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA Mileage (city/highway): 27/32

Tested Mileage (city/highway): 25/23.5

Where Built: Springhill, Tennessee, USA

Fuel Capacity: 16.3

Options: Leather appointments package $755

Competition: Acura RDX, Ford Escape, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Sportage, Mercury Mariner, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4

Models and Versions

The 2007 Saturn Vue is available only in the compact sport utility format. It comes in a variety of configurations. The base model has a 4-cylinder, gasoline engine with two-wheel drive, and either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

There is an optional V6 engine version, that comes with 2-wheel drive, a 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control, and antilock brakes. The Saturn Vue Red Line has a V6 engine, All Wheel Drive (AWD), a 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control, and antilock brakes.

Lastly, the version reviewed here, is the Saturn Vue Green Line with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine and electric drive motor, 2-wheel drive, a 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, and antilock brakes.

Several optional packages are available that add-on feature sets including a Leather Package (leather seats, steering wheel, and shift knob,) a Sport Appearance Package (larger tires, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and running boards,) a Comfort Package (power driver's seat, lumbar adjustment, and heated seats,) a Chrome Package (skid plates, fog lamps), a Red Line Package (leather seats, power driver's seat, lumbar support, special pedals and interior lighting, unique trips, sport suspension and 18" tires,) and lastly a Comfort/Safety Package (side curtain airbags, power driver's seat, lumbar support, heated seats, satellite radio.)

There are a variety of add-on features including a power sunroof, DVD entertainment system, 6-CD changer with MP3 player, and up-market sound system, among others.

Exterior

The 2007 Saturn Vue is an average automotive design. It is pleasing to look at, but it is definitely not cutting edge. Because of this it won't look dated in 2 years, unlike some over SUV designs. It really is a family station wagon with more headroom, and it doesn't turn heads.

We like the sloping hood for visibility, but dislike the blind spot caused by the frame holding the rear-side (third) window. And it really could use a window that opens in the back cargo door. Most competitors have them, at least as an option.

Standard on the Green line are Saturn's dent resistant body side panels and body color door handles and mirrors. They also supply 16" alloy wheels, P215/70R16 low roll resistant tires, and chrome skid plates.

Interior

The Green Line's interior was a pleasant surprise. It has more room than expected, with comfortable seating for 5-passengers, and better quality materials.

The rear cargo floor is very large and completely flat. The rear seats split 70/30, but do not fold flat as promised, and the release for them was hard to reach. The seats do fold forward, as does the front-passenger seat, making it easy to carry large objects. And because you can put two child safety seats in the 70% portion, it is possible to carry both long items in the car, and the kids.

Unlike real Sport Utility Vehicles, the Vue has a nice, low step-in height, comfortable for those with limited mobility. Because of this, Saturn didn't bother to include any grab handles for getting in and out of the car. That's too bad, because it also means that there isn't any place to hang a coat, or to carry your freshly laundered clothing from the cleaners.

There are lots of standard features in the Vue including air conditioning with air filter, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, and cruise control. A nice feature are the audio controls on the steering wheel. They work well and are properly placed for every day use. The center console comes with storage. There are three, 12-volt power outlets, and a nifty, foldaway, rear cargo organizer.

I found the rear passenger seats more comfortable than the driver's seat, which was cheap, flat and not supportive.

The doors are light-weight, and easy to open and close, but they feel, and sound, flimsy.

A feature of the gas/electric hybrid engine is that it is very quiet and turns off when the vehicle comes to a stand still. There is a slight vibration when it shuts off. It starts again when you touch the gas pedal and you don't notice it restart.

The engine emits a high-pitched wine that is only noticeable when the vehicle is being driven at low speeds, or before it shuts off when idling. There was very little wind noise, but a lot of road noise, compounded by the open interior which magnified the sound.

I disliked the placement of the power window, mirror and lock switches on the center console. But other than that, the displays are attractive, nicely laid out and easy to use.

Performance

The Saturn Vue Green Line uses a 2.4-liter, 16 valve, 4 cylinder gasoline engine and a battery-powered electric motor. The engine combination generates 170 hp, that feels like less. The acceleration was poor, and I wasn't confident getting on to the highway. There was a significant delay waiting for the vehicle to accelerate. When it finally did begin to move, the acceleration was inconsistent. I found myself yelling, "Come on. Let's get going!"

The system charges the electric batteries and cannot be plugged in to receive a charge. It uses regenerative braking to charge the Advanced Nickle Metal Hydride Battery. It cannot run on electric power alone, as other hybrids do. So watch that "Eco" fuel economy indicator and hybrid Charge/Assist gauge on the dash.

All versions of the Saturn Vue are front wheel drive only. The Green Line is available only with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Non-hybrid versions of the Vue come with either a 143-hp, 4 cylinder engine, or a V6 that generates 250-hp, built by Honda. The V6 has an optional All-Wheel Drive. 4-speed manual or automatic transmissions are available on the 4 cylinder version. The V6 has an optional "Red Line" package with 18 inch wheels, tighter suspension and unique trim. The Red Line solves many of the performance, ride and handling deficiencies in the gasoline-only powered Vue.

Ride and Handling

Standard on the Green Line is a 4-wheel independent suspension. There is an optional Four-Wheel Drive without low range gears for real off-road use. But that isn't available on the Green Line.

The Vue is bouncy over uneven pavement and there is some side-to-side rocking and body lean common to SUVs. The steering feels unnatural and overly soft. I found myself over-steering just to get into parking spaces.

The brakes were barely satisfactory. And I experienced undue nosedive during panic stops. I've never liked General Motor's brakes, and the Vue is no different.

Safety

Antilock brakes and traction control are standard on the Green Line as are dual front airbags and a front passenger sensing system. It comes with daytime running lamps, automatic headlamps and rear window washer, wiper and defogger. There are standard front seat belt pretensioners, child safety rear door locks and a theft deterrent system. Saturn gives you battery rundown protection and a tire inflator kit. Side-curtain airbags are optional.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results for the 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver - 5
Front Impact, Passenger - 5
Rollover Resistance - 3
Side Impact, Driver - 5
Side Impact, Rear Passenger - 5

RATINGS (1-10)

Style: 4
Performance: 4
Price: 5 Handling: 4
Ride: 4
Comfort: 5
Quality: 5
Overall: 4.5