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2007 Saturn VUE Green Line Road Test

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Rob Rothwell
A Budget-Minded, Politically Correct SUV
Polymer panels are used on the sides.
Not only is the Green Line inexpensive to purchase relative to the competition, it's a particularly smart-looking rig. Saturn stylists have given the newest Vue a clean, symmetrical appearance that blends a dollop of sportiness with a sufficient dose of conservatism to attract both youthful and less youthful buyers. That's a bit of an elusive formula but I think they got it right. It may also benefit prospective purchasers to know that the Vue is assembled with the same dent-resistant polymer panels that Saturn is renowned for.

The Achilles heal of polymer panels is their propensity to expand and contract more so than steel panels. The result is an inability to fit the panels as tightly together as found on most modern vehicles of late. Depending on one's priorities, the sustainability of the Vue's body panels to shopping carts and wayward baseballs may outweigh the cosmetic flaw of wide gapping.

Inside the Green Line, I found the cabin's architecture and instrument panel layout to be pleasing. As one ought to expect though, this lowest of the low-priced hybrid SUVs suffers somewhat from excessive plastic and low rent switchgear. Yes, it's all very functional but not all that gratifying to the senses.

Instrumentation is well laid out.
Thanks to expansive side glass, the airy cabin imparts a feeling of openness while delivering very good 360-degree visibility. The excellent view lines contribute to the vehicle's overall nimbleness; this is an easy little rig to hurtle down the highway in or navigate congested parking lots with. It produces power in a linear, well-mannered fashion. Acceleration is sufficient for zipping around town but the Green Line lacks the off-the-line-punch and highway passing power of spicier compact SUVs such as the turbocharged Mazda CX-7. I doubt though, that face-flattening acceleration is an attribute sought by those wanting to engage in environmentally responsible motoring.

Apart from total engine shutdown after being stationary for a moment or two, the Green Line drives just as any other four-cylinder SUV would. But there's no masking the auditory fact that a four-banger is doing the work. Along with 170 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm, the Green Line's 2.4 litre mill generates 162 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,400 rpm. The output flows through a four-speed automatic transmission, currently the only transmission available. This autobox switches cogs smoothly although I found it slow at times to kick down into a passing gear.

A comfortable ride and a great value.
On the road, the Green Line rides fairly comfortably. I would describe its ride quality as favoring comfort over handling. I was disappointed though to detect more suspension noise from the fully independent setup than I anticipated. Perhaps it was exclusive to my tester but as a prospective purchaser, I would look into it further before inking an agreement. This quibble aside, the Green Line offers tremendous value in the hybrid SUV segment. There is simply no other unit in its class that can compete in terms of price. Remember though, this politically correct budget-minded SUV is only available as a front-wheel drive unit.


Impressive:
·Starting price of $28,795CA
·Fuel economy of 8.8/6.7 litres per 100 K city/hwy driving
·Sporty yet conservative styling
·Dent resistant body panels

Less Impressive:
·Suspension noise
·Panel gapping
·4-speed autobox slow to kick down
·No all-wheel drive availability


For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.

If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Rob Rothwell
Rob Rothwell
Rob Rothwell
Automotive expert
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