Buick Two-Row Crossover to Pick Where Saturn Vue Left Off

GM and CEO Henderson refuse to sell the G8 as a Chevrolet because it would be badge engineering, yet selling a defunct Saturn as a Buick is okay?

This is going to be yet another GM Hybrid SUV with tacky hybrid badges all over it; check out the size of the green one on the front fender.

Looks like nothing has changed at GM

Yet another General Badge Engineer... and this makes more sense than a Chevy G8??

Orangutan,

The SRX is actually substantially different than the Vue/Equinox/Terrain, although it shares a similar mission, similar dimensions and the same 3.0-liter V6. The Buick version of the Vue will actually be the current version of the Theta platform, not the updated version of the Theta that underpins the Equinox and Terrain. Think of it sort of like the G8 platform vs. the Camaro platform, the same but different.

But certainly the Buick/Saturn, GMC and Chevy two-row crossovers will for most customers be perceived as essentially the same basic vehicle but with different styling. Call it badge engineering or platform sharing or whatever you'd like. It's certainly a familiar strategy for GM. Witness the Enclave/Traverse/Outlook/Acadia cluster of large crossovers that once cluttered that segment.

Anyway you cut it, though, GM wanted to find a new home for the two-mode hybrid power train it had already developed for the Saturn.

^
new SRX = new Equinox = new Terrain

So does this mean Penske will or won't keep the Vue as part of his Saturn Line-Up?

"Yet another General Badge Engineer... and this makes more sense than a Chevy G8??"

-I personally Love the G8, ive never driven it but from what ive read it is an amazing car. GM didnt rebadge the G8 because of the sales, why rebadge something that never sold well, right now chevy needs vehicles that please the green people and the masses, and not a niche crowd.

i am in now way defending GM, but GM wants to use whats most popular in their line up to rebadge (if anything). i personally think fritz said that to make it appear they were changing.

"So does this mean Penske will or won't keep the Vue as part of his Saturn Line-Up?"

-the vue will stay at penske for a few more years till a re design, but chevy isnt going to give another company a chance at taking sales away from their core 4 brands, with their 2mode hybrid setup.

10 miles of electric only, eh? Better stop the presses.

"You forgot to mention that the Cadillac SRX is a reskinned Vue. "

Not true.

"new SRX = new Equinox = new Terrain"

Wrong, they dont share any dimensions and the SRX is about 300lbs heavier in spite of being shorter overall.

"Yet another General Badge Engineer... and this makes more sense than a Chevy G8??"

For one the G8 is likely unprofitable being imported from down under. Secondly, Henderson already said Chevy has two sedans already and to some degree it would be sedan overload at Chevy if they added the G8. Third, the G8 never sold well. The Vue sold 10k units in its best months. FAR better than the G8 ever did. Sales do count. In addition, the most efficient version of this Buick will get 22/32 vs 17/25 for the G8- which one do you think is better for CAFE? Dropping the G8 boosts GM's CAFE score and that is definitely a factor.

hey 1487... do me a fav, don't reply or comment anything that I have posted... you're one sick individual who just likes to argue with anyone in here.
new SRX = new Equinox = new Terrain, don't screw with facts, ok?
(and don't bother to say anything about this... just leave it alone...)

I'm wondering how much GM will decide to borrow interior instrument/door panel design-wise from the Equinox/Terrain. As well as features. I'm hoping for features that come with the Equinox/Terrain that are not available currently on the Vue, like the programmable liftgate and enhanced trip computer. I'm also curious to see if they work to decrease the weight somewhat.

I think Penske really got a great deal when he bought Saturn. He can basically just rake in the profits these next few years while the "old GM" covers the development costs. Eventually, though, he's going to be responsible for new developments. As Jepine stated, GM won't let Penske ride their coattails forever.

Alman, you're wrong. They're on different platforms. The SRX is not a rebadged Equinox. Period.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q1/2010_cadillac_srx-auto_shows

Car and Driver (like Edmunds is wrong). The Equinox and Terrain are built on the Theta (small crossover platform) while the SRX and Saab 9-4X are built on Theta Premium, which despite the similar prefix name is a different platform. It is based off the Theta platform, but there are differences. The car media of course will look for any opportunity to bash GM by accusing them of platform sharing. I have to ask, why is it perfectly OK for everyone else to platform share, but the moment GM supposedly does it it is regarded as further proof that all GM vehicles are crap. Hypocrites.

Beyond the platform differences, the SRX has different engine options, a premium AWD option, a premium suspension option and an interior far better than the other GM crossovers. It is as differentiated as the Lexus RX is from the Toyota Highlander. You GM haters are really sad people.

When I first saw the SRX in C&D, my first thought was an Equinox with a Caddy grill. A little reading and research shows that is not the case.

Trouble is most people won't do a little reading and research. If it looks like a duck then it must be a duck.

Cadillac really should have made it a more distinctive looking so it would stand out more as a unique vehicle.

A lot of people are just going to dismiss it as a badge job.

I will give you that. Styling is very similar to the Equinox with some Cadillac touches, but the similarities really do end there. While the Equinox drives about the same as all the other mainstream crossovers (Wait, you mean it isn't faster than a Veyron? Ohmygawd Government Motors is wasting my tax money on slow cars, waaaaaaahhhhh! Re: LaCrosse track test) but the SRX seems to be on the sportier end of things, especially for being built on a primarily FWD platform.

Still, I can't imagine too many people (beside Inside Line GM haters) looking at the SRX, deciding it looks like it is based on the Equinox, and passing it up for that reason alone. After all, the Lexus ES sells rather well doesn't it?

I will admit, in this case I think this Buick small crossover represents too much overlap with the higher end Terrain and Equinox and lower end SRX. Sure, Buick needs a small CUV, but that's exactly why it doesn't make sense to keep it as a brand. To give it an acceptably lineup, it has to overlap with the higher end Chevy models and lower end Cadillac models. The entire brand could really be covered by Chevy's LTZ trim and expanding Cadillac's lineup downwards. GM's two-mode plug in hybrid system is nice, so it deserves to live on, but it should be in a Cadillac.

Okay, as we have seen with the best in class looking Equinox, GM will clearly not make this new Buick CUV a rebadged Vue. We have seen some kind of rendering of the new design, and it bears a strong resemblance to the Enclave. I'm not trying to vouch for GM, but this company has clearly learned its leasson in respect to copying vehicles. I also think the new SRX looks nothing like its platform mates; however different isn't necessarily good in this case.

stovt, it's only your assumption that many of us are GM haters, thus it made it more than just a sad person. And I believe no one in here said it's ok for OR NOT ok for any other manufacture to share a platfrom. however, it was the new CEO of this company that you love stated he's not going to rebadge cars anymore.
your 411 about SRX sharing Saab 4x platform is also coming from another mag. so you're basically quoting from mags just like I did, so who are the hypocrites now?
again, I don't care if any car company share platforms, but just say it like it is.
camry = ES
highlander = RX
fusion = mkz
edge = mkx
there... happy now?

ugh what a freakin first generation RX ripoff...why is buick thinking it can copy Lexus?

Considering the Opel Antera was released in '06, maybe that model will be updated and the Buick will be based on the new model. Because it would be really lame to have the Vue, Equinox, Terrain, SRX, Saab 9-4X AND this sold in the US

Everyone seems to forget Ford's VERY obvious VEHICLE CLONING! The MKX is EXACTLY the same as the Ford Edge (different headlights, taillights and dash). The MKZ is EXACTLY the same as the Fusion and Milan (different headlights, taillights and dash). The Navigator is EXACTLY the same as the Expedition (UGLY different front end on the Lincoln, different taillights and different dash). I'm surprised they haven't made a Mercury Capri out of the Mustang yet!

At least when GM shares a platform, the different brands have very different sheet metal to make them very different in appearance.

How many of you are going to bitch and moan about the new Rolls Royce being the SAME as the new BMW 7-Series??? But, I'm sure it's ok that the Jetta is the same platform as the A4, huh?

Some of you morons really need to get a grip!

As far as the pic above, it's basically a Vue with a Buick grill, and I'm sure the big green badge on the fender is going to house the charging port. After all, it IS supposed to be a PLUG-IN HYBRID!

Everyone seems to forget Ford's VERY obvious VEHICLE CLONING! The MKX is EXACTLY the same as the Ford Edge (different headlights, taillights and dash). The MKZ is EXACTLY the same as the Fusion and Milan (different headlights, taillights and dash). The Navigator is EXACTLY the same as the Expedition (UGLY different front end on the Lincoln, different taillights and different dash). I'm surprised they haven't made a Mercury Capri out of the Mustang yet!

At least when GM shares a platform, the different brands have very different sheet metal to make them very different in appearance.

How many of you are going to bitch and moan about the new Rolls Royce being the SAME as the new BMW 7-Series??? But, I'm sure it's ok that the Jetta is the same platform as the A4, huh?

Some of you morons really need to get a grip!

As far as the pic above, it's basically a Vue with a Buick grill, and I'm sure the big green badge on the fender is going to house the charging port. After all, it IS supposed to be a PLUG-IN HYBRID!

Let me get this straight. Buick will sell a version of the old Theta platform. Chevy and GMC get a new Theta platform. And Caddy and Saab get the Theta Premium platform. I don't see the sense in this -- five near-clones?

Cadillac shouldn't be in the CUV/SUV, pickup, or wagon segments at all (except for hearses). To me a Cadillac should be a big luxo-cruiser; the CTS as a sports sedan is okay too. But no BLS or Alpha platform small Caddy! Remember the Cimarron and Catera?

platform sharing = okay. Like the G8 and the Camaro. Same basic platform. The Camry and the ES350. Same basic platform, different kind of car (although the line is getting fuzzier). Same with several other cars. My beef with the GM clones (and I actually like GM, but don't understand what appears to be blatant boneheaded badge engineering). The SRX seems to be different enough from the Chevy and the Terrain that I'm okay with that. The Terrain and the Equinox on the other hand appear to share everything sans the styling. Just like the Silverado and the Sierra. Just like the Acadia and the Traverse. They compete in the same market, have the same drivetrains, suspension setups and similar options. They have near equal dimensions and seating arrangements. The SRX I would argue does share some similarities, but is different enough in it's styling and market targets to be different enough. (just like the Camry and ES350).

So with the Buick coming along, it appears as well to be competing with the same segment as the Chevy and the GMC. If their reason for bringing it to market is to give a home to the hybrid drivetrain, why not put it into the Terrain or the Equinox??? That's my beef.

The vehicles themselves are good competent vehicles. The hybrid drivetrain would be right at home in a Chevy badged vehicle. So why does it have to be named a Buick?

Platform sharing = okay. Like the G8 and the Camaro. Same basic platform. The Camry and the ES350. Same basic platform, different kind of car (although the line is getting fuzzier). Same with several other cars (ACcord and TL {I think??}. My beef with the GM clones (and I actually like GM, but don't understand what appears to be blatant boneheaded badge engineering). The SRX seems to be different enough from the Chevy and the Terrain that I'm okay with that. The Terrain and the Equinox on the other hand appear to share everything sans the styling. Just like the Silverado and the Sierra. Just like the Acadia and the Traverse. They compete in the same market, have the same drivetrains, suspension setups and similar options. They have near equal dimensions and seating arrangements. The SRX I would argue does share some similarities, but is different enough in it's styling and market targets to be different enough. (just like the Camry and ES350).

So with the Buick coming along, it appears as well to be competing with the same segment as the Chevy and the GMC. If their reason for bringing it to market is to give a home to the hybrid drivetrain, why not put it into the Terrain or the Equinox??? That's my beef.

The vehicles themselves are good competent vehicles. The hybrid drivetrain would be right at home in a Chevy badged vehicle. So why does it have to be named a Buick?

why is it double posting??

I agree with the_big_al. GM simply doesn't need GMC and Buick in North America. I just get annoyed when people get all up in arms assuming any GM vehicle that shares a platform is a clone. There are indeed plenty of GM clones, like the Equinox and Terrain, but there are plenty of products that share a platform and are really, truly differentiated, like the Equinox and SRX.

"new SRX = new Equinox = new Terrain"

1487 replied,

"Wrong, they dont share any dimensions and the SRX is about 300lbs heavier in spite of being shorter overall. "

Wrong. The dimensions are similar, if not shared. I'm pretty sure he was talking about more than just dimensions. They share the same engine and platform, for God's sake. There's a big DUH moment for ya.

Platform sharing is alright, as long as other sharing isn't obvious. The Fusion has been a home run for Ford largely because it shares the Mazda 6's very capable platform, and the sharing isn't obvious at all. Parts bin sharing, however, can be annoying (like the Cobalt steering wheel in the Corvette...shameful).

If this Buick looks as much like the Vue as this picture implies, it will look ridiculous. If Buick can manage to make it look nothing like the Vue, then I say go for it. I do agree that this is completely copying the Lexus RX, though (esp the first gen). I hope Buick understands that the RX has a reputation that it won't be able to match, ever. Kinda like the ES and the LaCrosse. And I pray that Buick never tries to build an IS competitor...leave that to Cadillac.

zoom:

WTF are you talking about? The vehicles are NOT the same. The dimensions are NOT the same. The Equinox has a longer wheelbase, a narrower width and lower weight. The SRX is about 4400lbs while the Equinox V6 weighs about 4100lbs. furthermore the Chevy has a normal AWD system while the SRX has an advanced eLSD system like the 9-3 and upcoming 9-4x. The SRX and 9-4x are on the EXACT same platform. The SRX also has a smaller rear seat and a smaller cargo area. They only share ONE engine because the SRX has no I-4 and will have a 300hp V6.

Read C&D's review of the SRX or any literature from GM on the SRX. The platform is explained. cars on the same platform generally share wheelbase lengths and overall dimensions. The SRX is about 2" wider than the Equinox and more robust.

"Let me get this straight. Buick will sell a version of the old Theta platform. Chevy and GMC get a new Theta platform. And Caddy and Saab get the Theta Premium platform. I don't see the sense in this -- five near-clones? "

Saab wont be a GM division within a few months. The base price on on the SRX is about $8k higher than the Equinox and a loaded SRX is about $49k vs $37k for the Chevy. The Buick will likely be in between. In addition, the Chevy/GMC will not get the 2 mode hybrid system. I believe the SRX will get it however. Buick is going to grow now that Pontiac and Saturn are leaving.

Well, if GM can save money by share parts and platform its a good news. Then they are doing the right thing.

But if GM just put everything exactly the same just different badge its treating the consumer like a fool.

Just like the agrument of naming the GTR under Nissan or Infiniti.

The Hybrids for Buick it could make sense after all because it targeted with the right market wit h a more mature crowd and wants to save some money on gas but doesn't want to give up driving
an SUV type of cars, given the fact that they have kids. It will be a choice between the RX450.

SRX is for perfomance.

Bring the G8 back too !!!