c/net: 2008 Saturn Vue XR

[91 s-10baja]

CNET editors' review



Excellent
8.0
out of 10

The good: The 2008 Saturn Vue XR delivers BMW X3-beating performance and Lexus-standard cabin tech, all for around $30K.
The bad: The Vue XR suffers from slight torque steer off the line and lets in too much road noise in freeway driving. Bluetooth hands-free calling is not available on the model.
The bottom line: The 2008 Saturn Vue XR is a stylish performer with some advanced optional cabin technology, including an intuitive touch-screen navigation and music system.


http://reviews.cnet.com/suv/2008-sat...&tag=pdtl-list

[likearock00]

Amazing- no mention of the overweight issue! Glad to see such a good writeup.

[CrunkedRL]

^^^ I know I cringe everytime I see a 2008 Vue Review headline for fear the author will rip it a new one because of it's portly disposition when compared to it's rivals. But I will say this, it maybe heavy but it's as nimble as many sports cars less than half it's size when traveling on the road.

[chakis24]

its only 300 lbs heavier, and it looks bigger than the x3 in their photo, so maybe thats why

[Greg Burr]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

^^^ I know I cringe everytime I see a 2008 Vue Review headline for fear the author will rip it a new one because of it's portly disposition when compared to it's rivals. But I will say this it maybe heavy but it's as nimble as many sport cars less than half it's size when traveling on the road.

If the weight is for structural reinforcements to ace crashworthiness tests around the world, then the 2-3 MPG penalty is worth it, especially after the first major accident.

[PeterPuck]

http://www.autoextremist.com/index.shtml

Peter over at Autoextremist just did his entire weekly article on overwrought German engineering and how it's to blame for the Saturn's weight. He went on and on and on about it, even giving examples of other heavy German cars.

Then people started emailing him that the vehicle was engineered in Korea by Daewoo. He had to put a disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Yeah, it's pretty funny.

[TKR]

Originally Posted by PeterPuck

http://www.autoextremist.com/index.shtml

Peter over at Autoextremist just did his entire weekly article on overwrought German engineering and how it's to blame for the Saturn's weight. He went on and on and on about it, even giving examples of other heavy German cars.

Then people started emailing him that the vehicle was engineered in Korea by Daewoo. He had to put a disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Yeah, it's pretty funny.

I bet you'll find there was more than 1 Opel engineer working on the project. BTW, The Euro and Australian versions weigh less than the US version - go figure?

[kmacleod]

Originally Posted by TKR

I bet you'll find there was more than 1 Opel engineer working on the project. BTW, The Euro and Australian versions weigh less than the US version - go figure?

Probably the U.S. 5 MPH bumpers....................

Ken

[CmicasatheGreat]

Vue vs X3... Who would Have THUNK We'd B Comparing Saturns 2 BMWs 3 years ago?

I seriously think that the Sky is the car that is seriously changing the image of the brand... The Outlook, Aura, and now the Vue are all getting MAD attention for both their Styling and overall appeal. THERE IS NOTHING THAT SATURN can do about the extra 300lbs it has... it goes towards safety. I believe that the versions overseas are actually lighter than our VUE. But as U can see... even with 3 less HP... the Vue still out-accelerates that BMW X3.

As I said b4.. I think Saturn would be wise to continue marketing itself the way it is doing. It is coming off as very classy and very thought provoking in essence. Putting itself up against the likes of BMWs, Acuras, and such... and winning in comparos... plus offering style and amenities for a slightly lessor price... that's better marketing IMO than putting a Sante Fe up against a RX350... that's something even I'll admit is absurd.

[CmicasatheGreat]

Anyone else think that the REDLINE should get more power tho???

The Vue RL should have a more powerful engine in it even if the XR engine that resides in it is pretty powerful and nice. They should have put the Outlooks 275HP version of the same 3.6L in the dang thing or even sweeter... give the 306HP DI 3.6L a run around the line-ups. GOD I can't wait until these Ultra V8s make their debut so GM would stop *** footing around for marketing purposes. They are the key to everything and I guarantee U see an instant BUMP in HP numbers across the board after they debut.

Some one up there at RenCEn s actually sitting there at night and making this stupid decisions about the Schematics on these drivetrains... and doing a BS job at it at that. Seriously... here we have one of the BEST LOOKING small SUVs on the planet... with just adequate power to get it to 60 in 6.7 secs... which is pretty great, but those numbers could be better with just a 5-10% bump in power to 275 at least. The Fuel Economy is actually decent as well considering the new 2008 Fuel Economy numbers actually out it above or equal most other's in the segment with exception to the Punk ass looking Rav4. Once again the detuned version of the DI 3.6L would yield a triumph in this arena as well since Direct Injection normally yields not only more power but about 15% better economy as well. This CUV is also apart of one of the best marketting campaigns I've seen GM do in a looong time. It could easily be compared to the X3 and RDX and taken seriously due to fit and finish. I say if it has to be this way... market it that way... save the Economy Fights 4 the Equinox and Torrent

I have no problem with a vehicle like this having 250HP... my issue completely comes from the fact that GM has more powerful engines but due to certain forces... namely funds due to UAW, it has not released a NorthStar Replacement until 2009 (they want to make sure it's perfect...WHY??? Toyota never does). The very fact that the Ultra V8s are not on the market yet is probably the reason why they will not go BALLZ 2 the WALLZ and up the ante across the board on their V6s. WE KNO they have a 275HP version of the 3.6L (Lambdas)... We KNO they have a 263HP Version of the 3.6L (Equinox Sport, Torrent GXP) we even kno they have a 306HP version... The Vue would benefit from any of these variation of the V6 even if only for bragging rights over the others. Furthermore EVERY REVIEW I've seen of the 257HP Vue XR has it doing equal or better times than the 269HP Rav4... Having the 275 HP version at least in the Red-LINE would give it times at least .4sec over the Rav4...

BTW anyone who seriously thinks that the Rav4 or CRV are good looking CUVs seriously DOES uses Tampons and eats Chocolate Sugar Cookies... plus even the other girls call U "Girly."

[GMforME]

Casa
relax bro
can all of em be corvettes.

go slap artie and aaron around a little more.

namely funds due to UAW, it has not released a NorthStar Replacement until 2009

This has nothing to do with that, engine development takes time as does plant retools

Bragging rights are useless if it won't sell to the mainsrteam becaust the fuel mileage is worse than dismal. DI will help but the capacity for DI won't support it right now.

[ZRock]

Originally Posted by CmicasatheGreat

...
I have no problem with a vehicle like this having 250HP... my issue completely comes from the fact that GM has more powerful engines but due to certain forces... namely funds due to UAW, it has not released a NorthStar Replacement until 2009 (they want to make sure it's perfect...WHY??? Toyota never does). The very fact that the Ultra V8s are not on the market yet is probably the reason why they will not go BALLZ 2 the WALLZ and up the ante across the board on their V6s. WE KNO they have a 275HP version of the 3.6L (Lambdas)... We KNO they have a 263HP Version of the 3.6L (Equinox Sport, Torrent GXP) we even kno they have a 306HP version... The Vue would benefit from any of these variation of the V6 even if only for bragging rights over the others. Furthermore EVERY REVIEW I've seen of the 257HP Vue XR has it doing equal or better times than the 269HP Rav4... Having the 275 HP version at least in the Red-LINE would give it times at least .4sec over the Rav4...

It's the same "version", LY7, in all the applications, Aura, Equinox, Outlook, Acadia, CTS (except the DI "version" which is the LLT) et al. The differences in power has to do with the way it's packaged for the particular vehicle/platform- exhaust/intake size, routing, etc.

But yes, I've always thought the Redline should be more than a paint & tape special edition- like Saturn's version of "SS" (and not the watered down recent versions like the Malibu and non-SC Cobalt, but the real deal). Toss in the DI version and you'd be all set.

[D C]

Since when does cnet review cars? and why?

[slowRSX]

Since American commuters spend a lot of time in their cars and since the cars itself is getting more and more advanced with each generation. All new cars today are controlled by a computer anyway.