With only a modest amount of fanfare, GM showed the 2008 Saturn Vue and said that "Choice was key to the Vue's success." To back that up, the upcoming Vue will offer a new, more powerful four-cylinder, two V6s, and a Green Line hybrid - a plug-in hybrid version will come soon after the 2008 model year.
Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak called the Vue a "core product" and said it's success is "extremely important" to the Saturn image. Combine that with the fact that current Green Line Vues sell as quickly as the Sky roadster and it's obvious there's a lot riding on the new Vue. Thankfully the new Vue makes a great first impression...
We like the distincly "crossover" look of the 08 Vue and the exterior styling in general looks clean and has nice details like side vents with integrated turn indicators and a more striking front end. If you think the new Vue looks familar that's probably because it shares some of its mechanicals with the Chevy Equinox, Opel Antara and Holden Captiva.
With a host of new products including a hybrid Aura and Vue, Saturn is suddenly looking like GM's best bet for winning over loyal Honda, Toyota and Nissan customers.
- Brian Moody
ateixeira says:
08:31 AM, 11/30/06
I can't imagine a worse color for a concept. That's my main beef. It's just flat and dull looking.
I'm also a little disappointed only because the PreVue concept looked so much better.
The Honda V6 is gone, this will get the 3500 from the Malibu and the high feature 3.6l V6 in GM's parts bin. The Honda V6 would not mate up to GM's new 6 speed auto.
lemontj13 says:
02:56 PM, 11/30/06
First of all its not a concept. Second, it will be available in many other colors.
billt9 says:
01:49 AM, 12/ 1/06
So this is the new Russian amphibious military vehicle?
Well it sure looks Russian. And it looks like it can swim.
jerrywimer says:
10:48 AM, 12/ 1/06
I agree about the color, ateixeira. But I don't see any problem with the engines offered. The 3500 has served those of us with it in our vehicles very well, regardless of the comparisons make between it and similar displacement competitors engines. It returns good fuel economy, adequate low to mid range torque, and isn't overly busy in normal operation, while being nearly as inexpensive to buy in our vehicles as a four cylinder. Those who think it's a bad engine can always opt for either of the four cylinder variants or the DOHC 3.6 if they still want a V6.
navigator89 says:
07:55 AM, 12/ 2/06
The styling isn't anything special but at least it's new. The interior and engines seem very competitive so this should eat some CR-V, Escape and Tucson sales.
4020gary says:
11:56 AM, 03/28/07
They're going to sell a bunch of these. The styling is a big improvement over the past model. Reminds me of the new Honda CR-V exterior-wise and so I like it. The Toyota RAV-4 is the benchmark for this segment. I'm not a big fan of the wheels I've seen for the Redline model so I hope they have wheel options,
Colors are subjective and indoor photos are never the best gauge. They could have used the new Sunburst Orange for the LA show. At least, for me, they didn't use the most blah of all colors - silver. We'll certainly consider it to replace our 2002 Toyota Highlander.