Review: Saturn VUE Hybrid

[91 s-10baja]

By David Thomas

Cars.com
September 20, 2006

There's no bigger buzzword in the car world than "hybrid." GM is getting in on the act with the Saturn Vue Green Line, the first of the automaker's new line of "affordable" hybrid systems.

David Thomas imagesHybrid drivetrain
The technology under the hood may be more advanced than most drivers are used to, but there's only one simple analog gauge to show


the driver how it's working. This is in stark contrast to busy screens from Honda and

It doesn't offer the extreme mileage of smaller hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, but it does compete with other compact SUVs, like the Ford Escape Hybrid. GM says the most important thing for buyers will be affordability; the Vue Green Line starts at $22,370 and gets 27/32 mpg city/highway. That compares to the Escape Hybrid's sticker of $25,655 and 36/31 gas mileage. I spent a morning with the Green Line and came away surprised at how much value GM managed to pack into this efficient SUV.

Full Story Below

http://research.cars.com/go/crp/rese...=&aff=national

[igor]

On the road, I found the Vue a capable companion no matter what type of engine was under the hood. Road noise was minimal, the ride was pleasing and handling was more responsive than I remember in older Vue models. Of course, there are a few hybrid quirks that take some getting used to. When you come to a stop the engine pretty much shuts off. When you accelerate again, the electric motor does almost all the work up to a certain speed, but the Green Line does a good job of making the process feel normal. I didn't find the powerplant lacking for acceleration power on the highway, either.

is this WRONG?

I thought the GL could not run on Battery-only for any period of time... is hte journo mistaken, or did GM pull a sneaky one?

Igor

[Bvonscott]

I have driven the Vue green Line. The motor started backup right after I left off the brakes, before I could even get to the accelerator. But it had been driven hard all day so the battery could have been low.

[cincygoblue]

it does compete with other compact SUVs, like the Ford Escape Hybrid. GM says the most important thing for buyers will be affordability; the Vue Green Line starts at $22,370 and gets 27/32 mpg city/highway. That compares to the Escape Hybrid's sticker of $25,655 and 36/31 gas mileage.

The technology powering this hybrid is a standard gasoline-powered 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. Combined, they produce 170 horsepower and 167 pounds-feet of torque. That doesn't sound like much, but the all-new Honda CR-V only produces 166 hp, so this hybrid is competitive in the market.

rivals in the segment, like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander. Or course, none of those small SUVs get this kind of gas mileage and all are around the same price or more.

I have the mid-level CR-V EX (156hp) for $22,550 getting 22/27
and the Toyota RAV4 Sport (166hp) for $22,425 getting 24/30
while the Vue Greenline (170hp) for $22,370 gets 27/32.

Those are the comparison I'd like to see more often than the comparison to the Escape hybrid which costs more than $3000 more.

GM would be VERY WISE to advertize both halves of the picture. More gas mileage for the same price as the RAV4 and CR-V . . . and . . . improved gas mileage for $3000 less than the Escape Hybrid.
.
.

[plane]

The hp and torque calcs seem a bit off.
The 2.4 by itself pulls 170 hp.
The BAS system adds over 100 lb-ft of torque at launch.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by igor

is this WRONG?

I thought the GL could not run on Battery-only for any period of time... is hte journo mistaken, or did GM pull a sneaky one?

Igor

I think he is mistaken. The BAS is basically a giant starter and it only works when the car is idling. The gas engine 100% drives the car.

[DMC]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I think he is mistaken. The BAS is basically a giant starter and it only works when the car is idling. The gas engine 100% drives the car.

BAS provides engine idle stop/start functionality, it will also provide extra torque during accelleration. It cannot provide electric-only use.

[pinyon]

Here's what GM has to say.

Fuel-saving performance
Vue Green Line’s innovative 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain is rated at 170 horsepower (127 kw), a powerful increase from the 143 hp provided by the 2.2-liter engine in the conventional four-cylinder Vue. This maintains the vehicle’s sporty feel, with acceleration better or equal to many non-hybrid SUVs.
The Vue’s hybrid system reduces fuel consumption by:

• Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
• Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
• Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
• Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration (regenerative braking) to charge an advanced nickel metal hydride battery
• Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient

Additionally, the system provides additional power from the electric motor/generator during launch, when required. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system improves acceleration feel by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine to achieve maximum power.
The new hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality, including climate control, when the vehicle is stopped, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers. The Vue Hybrid allows an appropriate balance between fuel economy and comfort by providing a system with two driver-selectable operating modes. An economy mode favors fuel economy by limiting the affect of air conditioning, while the other mode favors maximum passenger comfort and defogging performance.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by DMC

BAS provides engine idle stop/start functionality, it will also provide extra torque during accelleration. It cannot provide electric-only use.

Not sure if this is what your saying or not, but watch the demonstration of the vehicle on the saturn website, it shows that the engine shuts off when the vehicle makes a complete stop to save gas and that the batteries power vehicle accessories.

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicle...er_vuegl_Aug06

[Greg Burr]

Seems like a compelling product. The next redesign (Antare?) will probably address the interior issues. They should make the side airbags, 4 wheel disc brakes and stability control standard as well.

[geozinger]

Has anyone heard anything about the lifespan of the battery pack on these things?

My brother-in-law was signed up to buy one of these, and at the last moment pulled out, because he heard that the batteries would only last 5 years.

[jon21]

Man...Wouldn’t be better to leave the engine completely off up until 20+ mph? Like the Prius? In a stop and go traffic...like crawling inches by inches. Engine coming on and off for 100 times would feel weird for those times you are inches along with the traffic in downtown. I hope I am making sense.

[AndrewGS]

A step in the right direction. It seems they could add the BAS system to all drivetrains to conserve fuel.

[briandors]

Think of the electric motor in this thing like a huge alternator that can help the engine along, rather than an electric motor that has a direct connection to the transmission like a full hybrid.

It CAN'T move the car on its own in the current design. But it can help lighten the load on the engine.

GREAT and efficient idea.

[mikesright]

I heard the BAS can provide power for up to 9 seconds on its own before the engine kicks in.