So what's new for 2006? Saturn's compact crossover SUV is getting a partial redesign before the fully European-influenced 2007 arrives at auto shows and eventually dealer showrooms next year. For this year's redesign, the front end gets a spanking new grille to go along with Saturn's self-acclaimed "clean and contemporary" look. Other updates include new headlight bezels (it's amazing how much attention and care
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| Saturn's compact crossover SUV is getting a partial redesign before the fully European-influenced 2007 arrives next year. (photo: General Motors of Canada) |
car makers often devote to the gaps between the headlight elements, but nonetheless it is a great place to make a funky statement--check out a Nissan Altima 3.5 SE some time), chrome trim on door handles and window trim, shiny new alloys and other bright splashes of chrome underneath the grille and around the fog lamps.
All of these minor upgrades should help ease Saturn customers into the model's future European design language, which along with other upcoming Saturn models will include healthy doses of chrome and aluminum. Also worth noting is that this is probably the last year you will be able to get the VUE as a dent-resistant polymer-paneled parking-lot champion.
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| The interior gets refreshed as well, and the overall effect is a massive improvement over the previous base VUE's economy roots. (photo: General Motors of Canada) |
The interior gets refreshed as well, and the overall effect is a massive improvement over the previous base VUE's economy roots. The flow-through centre stack and console is bordered on either side by two slats of wood grain trim and more conventionally shaped vents. Regarding the wood, I personally would have chosen aluminum to reflect the general forward-thinking design of the vehicle as a whole, but then again I'm of the opinion that you can never have too much aluminum. The centre stack houses the flush-mounted stereo components, which can be optioned out with various radio and media options such as portable MP3-device inputs and chrome-trimmed knobs on the simple, straightforward HVAC controls. Supplementary controls are available on the optional leather-wrapped steering wheel, which also looks near premium along with the large white-faced speedo and tach in the middle of the gauge cluster.
