From Consumer Reports:
REPORT CARD
Highs: Access, fuel economy.
Lows: Acceleration, agility, seat comfort, fit and finish, FWD only, no
ESC.
"Saturn's small SUV has secure handling, but the steering is too light at
low speeds. We found the AWD system slow to respond. The available 3.5-liter
engine from Honda is smooth. Interior fit and finish is subpar, and the
seats lack support. The IIHS side-crash-test result was poor and the Vue
tipped up in the government rollover test. The Green Line hybrid has a noisy
2.4-liter four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. The engine shuts off at
idle but the electric motor alone can't propel the Vue. It got 24 mpg
overall in our tests, and is only available with FWD. Reliability of the
nonhybrid has been average of late. A redesign arrives for 2008"
Road Test
"General Motors' first mass-market hybrid is a disappointment. Fuel
consumption is not impressive for a hybrid, and ungainly handling,
uncomfortable seats, below-par craftsmanship, and the lack of stability
control also detract from it.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
At low speeds, the ride is compliant, but road impacts often jolt the cabin.
Road- and wind-noise levels are high, and the engine roars unpleasantly when
pushed. Handling is clumsy, with slow, imprecise steering, pronounced body
lean, and abundant tire squeal. The 43-foot turning circle is wide. Tire
grip is weak in emergency handling, and the lack of stability control
allowed the rear to slide out at a low speed in our avoidance maneuver. The
Green Line is a very mild hybrid, which cannot move solely on electric
power. At stops, it shuts the engine down and restarts it smoothly. The 170
hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is not particularly responsive and
delivers tepid acceleration, even with the hybrid's electric assist. The
hybrid Green Line comes with only a four-speed automatic transmission, which
is not as responsive or versatile as those on most small SUVs. The
front-wheel-drive Green Line gets 24 mpg overall, only 1 mpg better than the
AWD four-cylinder Toyota RAV4. Stopping distances were long, especially on
wet pavement. Low beams provide only fair illumination, though high beams
give good light.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The Vue's interior is slightly improved over past models, but it still feels
insubstantial and poorly finished. Some plastic panels are now nicely padded
and grained. But lots of trim has sharp edges, and the fuzzy headliner looks
cheap. Tall drivers had plenty of leg and head room, but the wide console
intrudes on knee room. The tilt steering wheel doesn't telescope, but its
position suited most drivers. Visibility is very good. The small, flat front
seats are uncomfortable. The squishy cushions mean that support gives way on
long trips, and the cushions are short. The rear seat's cushion is very low
and provides no thigh support for adults. Access is very easy to the front
and rear, though the weak door checks won't hold the doors open. Chrome
gauge-trim rings can cause glare. A green "eco" light glows whenever the Vue
is exceeding its EPA mileage estimates. There is no calculated fuel-economy
display, an odd omission for a hybrid. Most controls are simple, including
the easy-to-use radio, but the console-mounted window switches are
inconvenient. Interior storage is moderate. There is no room for a spare
tire because of the battery pack, but a tire inflator kit is stored under
the cargo floor.
SAFETY NOTES
Curtain head-protection air bags, extending to protect outboard occupants in
both rows in side impacts and rollover type incidents, are optional on the
Vue Green Line. They supplement required front air bags and three-point
seatbelts for all seats. The front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors
for getting an improved fit and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce
belt slack in the event of a crash. Though children are always safest when
transported in the rear seats, a passenger sensing system for the front
passenger seat is designed to turn off the front air bags if the seat is
unoccupied or if it detects an infant or small child seated there. Comfort
guides in the rear outboard seats may prove helpful in providing a safer and
more comfortable fit for small adults or children who have outgrown child
restraints. There are adjustable, locking head restraints in the front and
rear outboard seats. The front versions are tall enough even when lowered to
reduce rearward head travel and reduce whiplash injury, but the rear
versions must be raised to offer protection. The center rear seats lack a
head restraint. Daytime running lights are standard. Driving with kids: The
large locking latch plate in the center rear position of the Vue may
interfere with the belt path on some rear-facing seats, preventing that belt
from being pulled securely enough to keep the child restraint tight. Some
rear-facing infant seat models may also not be secure in the outboard rear
seats when installed with the seatbelts as the belts are anchored forward of
the seatback. Front-facing seats should prove secure. There are three top
tether anchors on the rear seatbacks. There are also three sets of visible
and easy-to-access LATCH anchors.
RELIABILITY
We do not have data to predict reliability, this model is new."
So that sums up what CR had to say. I wouldn't base my decision soley on
their opinion, they slagged the SL2 after the first model year, yet I'm
still driving my '96 SL2 and I'm still happy with it.
Random Owner Opinions from CR. (Most owners give it 4 or 5 stars out of 5.)
"Pros: Redline has ample power and hugs the road. All that and good gas
mileage.
Cons: Drum rear breaks
Driving experience
I found the Saturn folks to be very helpful and overall a good buying
experience.
They may not haggle, but the do give you a fair price for a trade-in.
Better than
the original dealer that sold me a bill of goods years ago.
Comfort & convenience
I am a big fellow and found the Vue to be very roomy with comfortable
leather seats.
The OnStar is great with hands free telephone (should be a Federal Law 0n
CellPhone
use while driving. Overall it is well layed out so you can concentrate on
driving.
Comments
The 2007 will be the last of the Original Vues and perhaps the best of Honda
and
US engineering. No more flexing side panels, you will be back to door chips
and
dents with the 2008. The Vue was a unique SUV in many ways and Saturn was
the only
one in the GM group making money, that is why Pontiac and Chevrolet used the
Vue
chassis as a stop gap in their slide down."
Pros: Great gas mileage...better than advertised
Cons: none as of yet
Driving experience
We've had significant snow in the past few weeks. This is my first AWD
vehicle. It
handles great in the snow! It also handles better on ice than any other
vehicle
I've owned. The ride is smooth on most of the roads I normally drive. One
highway
has drainage grooves that run parallel to the shoulders. The groove on the
stock
tires cause some pulling when on this grooved pavement. This has always been
a problem
with new tires with this style tread. I don't consider it a negative because
a different
tire tread will reduce the problem.
Comfort & convenience
Wonderful comfort and storage!! In the back, there is a compartment that can
be opened
up for grocery bags and it keeps them from tipping over. All the controls
are very
convenient. Even the emergency flasher button is located in a very sensible
place.
All my previous vehicles had that on the steering column. The leg room works
well
for me. The front seats are heated and that's been wonderful with our recent
weather.
The console has plenty of storage. There are all kinds of storage places
elsewhere
as well.
Comments
I have wanted a Saturn Vue since they first came out. I was originally
attracted
to how they looked. Once I decided to get serious about getting a new car, I
did
research on the Vue and other vehicles. I did my best to keep an open mind.
In the
end, the Vue met all my requirements in style and safety. The test drive
really
cemented the deal for me. I was impressed with how it handled (at that time
on dry
roads on a warm day). I have driven it in various weather conditions and
have not
been disappointed. When I replace the tires with a different tread in a
couple of
years, I don't anticipate having trouble with the one grooved road I have to
travel
a few times a month. The dealer was great and continues to be supportive in
many
ways. They occasionally offer "new Saturn owner" sessions. The next one to
occur
in warm weather will be the one I attend. At those sessions, you get a full
tour
of the service area and have the opportunity to meet the technicians.
Pros: Drive Train, ride, sound system
Cons: road noise @ 70
Driving experience
The drive train is solid, quiet and adequately powerful. Rides and handles
well
for what it is.
Comfort & convenience
Comfortable and functional. Could use a few more cupholders and better in
cabin
storage.
Comments
I like it very much so far and it meets the needs we have at this time.
Could use
some refinement which I imagine will come with the re-design for 2008.
Pros: size power visibility
Cons: wind and road noise at 70 mph
Driving experience
handling, ride, its a suv.... it keeps me buisy driving....
Comfort & convenience
heated seats are great...everythings close at hand
Comments
its a ten... i am leasing an 07 to replace my 05 2years and never a dealer
visit....except
oil change..tire rotation...best dealer experince ever
"Your name" <tash (AT) ns (DOT) sympatico.ca> wrote
Quote:
i am currently looking at a 04 Vue AWD with 56000 kms are there any know
problems with this model
|
Opions on 2004 Saturn Vue -
03-10-2007
, 09:59 PM
Linear Mode
