2006 Saturn VUE Review

When I first heard about Saturn launching their own small SUV, my first thought was that they were a little late to the dance. Afterall, the SUV frenzy had been in full swing for years and marketshare would be hard to come by.

Due in part to its highly functional design, great fuel mileage and Saturn's first-rate customer service, the 2004 Vue was a big hit. This year's Vue gets a few tweaks and a new look which further make it a force to contend with in this small class of SUVs.


Outside, Vue features Saturn's signature dent-resistant panels along with a fresh hood, headlamp treatment and attractive grille. My tester had the optional 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch is standard) which elevated the profile of this smaller SUV and gave it a little more attitude. The new Vue offers integrated roof rails, which are highly functional, key when you have smaller spaces inside the cabin that other larger models.

Two engines are offered in the Vue: a 4-cylinder with 143 horsepower, rated at 22/27mpg (city/highway) and a V-6 delivering 250 horsepower, rated at 20/28 mpg when linked to a crisp 5-speed automatic.

My tester had the V-6 (pssst. a Honda-sourced engine) and I cannot realistically imagine the smaller engine be adequate with a fully loaded vehicle with the air conditioning on full blast. I enjoyed the 250 horsepower and found the 5-speed automatic transmission to be sharp and slick on the shifts.

This newest incarnation of the Vue is a vast improvement over the previous models. I would compare the handling and performance more in sedan-like terms than other smaller SUVs.

Inside the cabin, Saturn delivers the expected basic function with minimal bells and whistles. This is perfectly acceptable since the quality of the materials used is better than half the other entries in this class. In particular, I appreciated the more upscale look of the ebony wood trim as well as the leather-wrapped steering wheel (with audio/cruise controls). Climate controls and sound controls are conveniently located in the central dash area.

Storage compartments abound, as they should, in the Vue. Special features standard in my tester were a large sunroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror with external temp and compass clearly displayed.

My Vue tester offered OnStar and XM Satellite radio as optional. I would have liked to see the CD as standard, but it, and MP3 readability, were available as options. Back-seat passengers enjoy a superior 7-inch LCD screen with wireless headphones.

Saturn's Vue has earned a five-star government crash-test ratings for front and back seat occupants for both frontal and side impacts. Another consideration on the safety front: if an accident occurs and airbags deploy, OnStar immediately responds with help.

When you consider the impressive horsepower with amenities like power windows, locks and mirrors, the Vue can accommodate varying levels of sophistication. My tester had more than $4,000 in options, but the bottom line was still only $26,200. Not bad when you toss in the world-class service at Saturn.