First Impressions: 2008 Saturn Vue XR

[ChevyRules]

Let me say this, the new Vue topples the old one and trounces the Equinox. So we went by our local Saturn dealership knowing they had the new Vue( our salesman went on SF and posted a video of him driving it). Anyway, we looked at it and then drove it around the lot( they didn't want us to take it on the road yet). Here are my impressions:

interior: 5/5

Now the interior might not have the soft plastics as the Aura does, but as I said to my salesman, it's a CUV vs a sedan. The plastics though are of good quality. I just love the e-Brake handle and steering wheel design. Overall, the interior the Equinox should of had.

exterior: 4/5

Everything is very well built. Panel gaps are tight, etc. Front end is good looking. Only thing that knocks it down is the Kia sourced rear end. Not that it isn't good looking, just you could tell Daewoo had a part in the design. Not exactly 100% Euro is it.....

drive/handling 5/5

Simply amazing. It handles similarly as the Aura. It can take corners narrower then the Equinox can. I don't care about the 0-60 times of 7.3 seconds for the 3.6 of whatever it was. It has enough punch to get the 4000 lb fatso moving. Again, handling is superb and acceleration when I pushed it is more then enough.

Conclusion: If I was only a year younger the new Vue might of became mine instead of the Aura. My dad wants to trade in the Equinox for the Vue ASAP.

[montrealvue]

I guess perception is everything, I have an '06 Vue and was disappointed with the '08. Given the choice I would take the '06 over the '08 based on appearance alone. Though the interior is a bit nicer, I can't understand the hype. Even the salesperson I deal with at my local Saturn dealer didn't seem too impressed by it. I guess time will tell if the masses take to it or not.

[MrJamesMc]

Well if I had the choice, I'd go with the Aura anyday actually. So in my opinion you having an Aura is a better choice. I think the new Vue ruins it with the back, too round looking judging by the pictures. The Aura is wonderful looking however.

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by MrJamesMc

Well if I had the choice, I'd go with the Aura anyday actually. .

I hear ya, I would love to have an Aura but it doesn't meet my family's needs. I wish GM would have brought over the Aura "wagon" (Vectra Wagon). I would get one for sure! I am tried of being pushed to an SUV!

[LeSabre]

I am not impressed w/the new Vue. Exterior-wise, I find it to be a huge disappointment. It should have the looks of the PreVue concept. Another thing is that the nameplate "Vue" should have been done away with since Saturn has been in a sense reinvented or rejuvenated. The Vue is part of the old Saturn & should not be part of the new Saturn.

[Quickening]

No, the Vue has a very loyal following and GM can not keep killing off vehicles names. It only hurts them by having to reestablish the loyalty and the car regnonition.

[jro4566]

The Vue is Saturn's best vehicle, though you could make a case for the Outlook but it seems too similar to the Acadia. The Aura was a half-assed effort...basically just a G6 with some new features. The Vue however, has a GM NA-exclusive steering wheel, headrests, seats, window switches, door handles, and more. That's the beauty of working on a global car!

[LeSabre]

Originally Posted by jro4566

The Vue is Saturn's best vehicle, though you could make a case for the Outlook but it seems too similar to the Acadia. The Aura was a half-assed effort...basically just a G6 with some new features. The Vue however, has a GM NA-exclusive steering wheel, headrests, seats, window switches, door handles, and more. That's the beauty of working on a global car!

I disagree that the Aura was a "half-assed effort". The Aura definitely does not look like a G6. The coming Mailbu from what I have noticed looks more like a Chevified Aura. Some of the new features may be enough(as to the whole package) for some people to buy a Saturn for the 1st time or as a repeat buyer of Saturn.
The GM NA-exclusive may not be so exclusive for much longer. GM, like Ford, Chrysler/etc will cross-share componets such as you mentioned w/other brand & their models. The new Vue is probably the 1st one in NA at least to get those new componets.

[page2171]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

...The Aura definitely does not look like a G6. The coming Mailbu from what I have noticed looks more like a Chevified Aura. ...

I agree. Even though the new Malibu looks a ton better than the present Malibu, the new Malibu isn't really on my radar as a replacement for my '04 Malibu. I would rather have the "real" Aura than the "Chevified Aura".

[jro4566]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

I disagree that the Aura was a "half-assed effort". The Aura definitely does not look like a G6. The coming Mailbu from what I have noticed looks more like a Chevified Aura. Some of the new features may be enough(as to the whole package) for some people to buy a Saturn for the 1st time or as a repeat buyer of Saturn.

While it doesn't look like a G6, it shares the same powertrain, steering wheel, door switches, seats, and sunroof. Now that's not a bad thing at all, but the Vue shares almost nothing visually with the Equinox, Torrent, and XL-7. Plus, the materials inside are actually class leading.