Dad's view: More power. It is as simple as that. The Relay uses the ubiquitous 200-hp V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive set-up, but you can also order all-wheel drive. The weakness is the engine. The 200-horsepower has trouble initiating acceleration with the 4300-pound Relay. The trade off is regular gas mileage around 22 mpg, which is quite good, but can't match the power or fuel stinginess of the competition. If you order the all wheel drive be prepared to pay at least a ten percent penalty in gas mileage, but it is still better than any SUV that has the same room the Saturn offers.
Many people stopped and asked us about the Relay. The public clearly liked its clean looks. But the question they most asked, after finding out it was a Saturn, was if it had plastic side panels. It is interesting that
individuals hold this feature in such high acclaim. The answer is that this is Saturn's first all-steel sided effort and clearly readies the consumers for more of the same.
General Motors has anchored the Relay on its revised GMT-200 minivan chassis that it stretched nine inches. It works well, and is a nice setting for the all wheel drive option that those in snowy climes might consider. Either way you can tow up to 3500 pounds.
Driving in traffic is drama free. The brakes are a little soft to my liking, and the ride borders on luxury rather than sport, but other than that this is an excellent family oriented ride. The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts and coil springs and the rear has an open-section twist axle with integrated stability bar on the front wheel drive model, and an independent double wishbone suspension in an aluminum cradle for the all wheel drive model. The steering is rack and pinion system and the feel appropriate for such a heavy vehicle. You don't want an overly sensitive steering response when you are driving a heavy vehicle. That overboosted steering is what causes so many SUVs to topple over as drivers overcorrect because the wheel feels so disconnected from the road feel. Once we drove a huge and gas guzzling Lincoln Navigator in Seattle in the rain when someone cut in front of us and slammed on the brakes. I knew the lanes on both sides were vacant and so I quickly turned the wheel knowing that the huge weight of the Lincoln would never allow me to stop in time. The wheel felt like it was not even connected as the Lincoln swayed into the next lane and would have kept on heading for the shoulder if I had not used the power of the engine and a slight steering adjustment to straighten the beast. A less experienced driver would not have been so lucky in this top-heavy vehicle. Naturally, as I passed I prepared my best evil eye for the careless driver. Despite the rain, the driver was not paying any attention to me as she applied eyeliner and held a cell phone to her check with her shoulder. Anyway, with the Saturn Relay such an emergency maneuver would be easier, but not less dramatic so I recommend you consider the stiffer suspension.
General Motors calls its all wheel drive system Versatrak. It operates in front wheel drive to save fuel until the wheel sensors detect differences in tire rotation between the front and rear wheels. At that time it immediately can transfer some engine power away from the slipping wheels. In other words, this is not your get out and turn the Warn hubs type of system and it is not designed for heavy off road use.
Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota all make superior minivans to the Saturn, but they don't offer the unique appearance, versatile DVD system, or the dealer network that Saturn has created. Another plus is that they have a one-price system which seems to appeal to families shopping together. I think that if the kids get into this van it is going to be hard to get them out of it.
Many people stopped and asked us about the Relay. The public clearly liked its clean looks. But the question they most asked, after finding out it was a Saturn, was if it had plastic side panels. It is interesting that
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| 2005 Saturn Relay (photo: General Motors) |
General Motors has anchored the Relay on its revised GMT-200 minivan chassis that it stretched nine inches. It works well, and is a nice setting for the all wheel drive option that those in snowy climes might consider. Either way you can tow up to 3500 pounds.
Driving in traffic is drama free. The brakes are a little soft to my liking, and the ride borders on luxury rather than sport, but other than that this is an excellent family oriented ride. The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts and coil springs and the rear has an open-section twist axle with integrated stability bar on the front wheel drive model, and an independent double wishbone suspension in an aluminum cradle for the all wheel drive model. The steering is rack and pinion system and the feel appropriate for such a heavy vehicle. You don't want an overly sensitive steering response when you are driving a heavy vehicle. That overboosted steering is what causes so many SUVs to topple over as drivers overcorrect because the wheel feels so disconnected from the road feel. Once we drove a huge and gas guzzling Lincoln Navigator in Seattle in the rain when someone cut in front of us and slammed on the brakes. I knew the lanes on both sides were vacant and so I quickly turned the wheel knowing that the huge weight of the Lincoln would never allow me to stop in time. The wheel felt like it was not even connected as the Lincoln swayed into the next lane and would have kept on heading for the shoulder if I had not used the power of the engine and a slight steering adjustment to straighten the beast. A less experienced driver would not have been so lucky in this top-heavy vehicle. Naturally, as I passed I prepared my best evil eye for the careless driver. Despite the rain, the driver was not paying any attention to me as she applied eyeliner and held a cell phone to her check with her shoulder. Anyway, with the Saturn Relay such an emergency maneuver would be easier, but not less dramatic so I recommend you consider the stiffer suspension.
General Motors calls its all wheel drive system Versatrak. It operates in front wheel drive to save fuel until the wheel sensors detect differences in tire rotation between the front and rear wheels. At that time it immediately can transfer some engine power away from the slipping wheels. In other words, this is not your get out and turn the Warn hubs type of system and it is not designed for heavy off road use.
Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota all make superior minivans to the Saturn, but they don't offer the unique appearance, versatile DVD system, or the dealer network that Saturn has created. Another plus is that they have a one-price system which seems to appeal to families shopping together. I think that if the kids get into this van it is going to be hard to get them out of it.