Another advantage of the lower ride height is a reduced likelihood
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| Occupants in all rows are well-guarded form harm thanks to full-length side curtain airbags and a rollover-preventative stability control program. (Photo: General Motors) |
of rollover, an issue that has dogged the SUV market since its inception. Even with a reduced propensity to expose its undercarriage, GM has wisely loaded the Outlook with six airbags as standard equipment; they include head curtain airbags covering all three seating rows. Extending the benefit of curtain airbags is GM's rollover-sensing system, which can preemptively activate the curtain airbags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent. In such a case the airbags will remain inflated longer to not only provide occupant protection but occupant containment as well. Of course preventing a crash or rollover is the best means of protecting occupants, and that's exactly the intention behind GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability system, available on the Outlook.
The
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| With a third row that folds flat into the rear floor, the Outlook can go from comfy seven-seater to cargo-hauling five-seater. (Photo: General Motors) |
Outlook also comes standard with OnStar Generation 6, which features the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system capable of notifying participating 911 centers of an incident with the goal of reducing emergency personnel response times - something family purchasers would be wise to take advantage of. They may also wish to take advantage of the wide array of comfort and convenience equipment available, including ultrasonic parking assist, remote vehicle starting, power rear liftgate, DVD entertainment and DVD-based navigation.
When closely examined, the numerous attributes of the full-size
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| With the new Aura and the Outlook, Saturn is certainly shaping up to be one of Amerca's hottest brands. (Photo: General Motors) |
crossover can be compelling enough to induce procreation just to feel entitled to own such a useful vehicle. Okay, having children in order to justify automobile ownership may fly in the face of family planning and responsible parenting, but you no doubt get my point. As a means of efficiently accommodating large families with a love of the outdoors, the full-size crossover is hard to beat. With the introduction of the Saturn Outlook, expect the bar to get a whole lot higher. Stay tuned for a full road test of the Outlook just as soon as they roll out the door of the new assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan.
Preliminary Specifications: - Price Range (MSRP): TBA
- Body Type: 5-door crossover
- Layout: front engine, FWD (opt. AWD)
- Engine: 265-hp, 244 lb-ft of torque 3.6L, DOHC, VVT V6
- Opt. Engine: 267-hp, 247 lb-ft of torque, 3.6L, DOHC, VVT V6
- Transmission: 6-spd auto
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc with ABS
- Curb Weight (FWD-AWD): 4,722 - 4,936 lbs
- Towing Capacity: 4,500 lbs
- Ground Clearance: 7.4 in
- Fuel Economy (est. city/hwy): FWD 17 / 25 mpg, AWD 16 / 24 mpg
- Warranty (mo/miles): 36/36,000 comprehensive
- Direct Competitors: Buick Rendezvous, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-9, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Toyota Highlander
- Web Site: www.saturn.com
