ROAD TEST --- 2006 SATURN VUE REDLINE

We say, "It's the best Honda engine you can buy in an American-made, midsize crossover SUV".

The facelifted 2006 Saturn VUE ($17,390 to $23,050) has some  mostly appearance-related upgrades inside and out. My VUE Red Line AWD V6 featured a new integrated step pad, headlamps and hood and grill, all for a smoother look. Inside, new seats, chrome-and-wood accents and a new center console. VUE Red Line AWD V6 ($26,705) with a Honda 250-horsepower V6 is second only to Toyota’s RAV4 as most powerful in class. Good crash tests and mileage that rivals some hybrids, VUE’s a solid package.

It’s easy to tell the boxy VUE is built on the same “Theta” platform which is the basis for the Pontiac Torrent and Chevrolet Equinox. VUE is as bland-looking as most Saturns have been since the supposed import-fighting Division was created by GM’s then-CEO Roger Smith in 1990. Even Red Line VUE models, such as my AWD V6 model, do not stand out in a crowd. With appearance cues like a front and rear spoilers, one-inch-lowered suspension, 18-inch wheels and unique grille trying to look trendy, it might have housewives swooning but not the tuner crowd.

In spite of VUE’s stylists attempts to sex things up, it remains “as boring as it wants to be”. If one of your criteria in buying a midsize SUV is avoiding car-jackings, vehicle thefts and break-ins, VUE fits the bill. It’s the American-made version of the prototypical Japanese “car as appliance” that goes and goes without drawing attention.

This year’s VUE keeps Saturn’s highly-regarded plastic body panels; most future Saturns will discontinue them as production moves from the original Spring Hill, TN factory. The next-generation VUE will be built in Europe. The PreVue concept is a copy of the Opel Antara GTC seen at Euro auto shows last year; look for it in 2009.

The Red Line package on my VUE provided a six-way leather power driver’s seat with manual lumbar support. It’s almost impossible to not get comfortable for any driver. For passengers, VUE was rated differently by my official tester (my wife), who said she simply could not find a fully-comfortable seating position. But you should put your butt in the seats to be sure they fit you (and those in your extended clan).

Large, bright gauges are right in front of the driver. Most  controls are now on the new center console; Heat/vent/air conditioning is controlled with large knobs that ‘snap’ into position nicely. Standard are cruise control, power windows, door locks and mirrors and a security system with remote keyless entry. The XM-equipped radio had a small screen, difficult to read and it’s red coloring washed-out easily in bright light. Radio controls are also on the steering wheel but are not well-illuminated (so what use are they at night?). Rear seats easily fold 70/30 and rear stowage bins have bag hooks. Curtain side airbags are standard; anti-lock brakes are optional on four-cylinders (a buyer’s insult in 2006). Body panel fit and finish outside is not the best, but VUE’s interior appears to be as good as any competition.

VUE’s basic engine/tranny package is GM’s Ecotec 2.2 liter 143 horsepower Inline-4 cylinder with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission (calling 1985!). For any fun with the I-4, order the 5-speed. That VUE is front-drive only, as is the base V6 with its Honda engine, 3.5 liters and churning out a near class-leading 250 horses. Only a five-speed automatic comes with the V6. That VUE can also be ordered with all-wheel drive, but it’s no off-roader; AWD offers extra margins of safety and control on wet pavement or dry, packed dirt roads, without driver input. It also increases turn radius and makes U-turns too much of an adventure. VUE’s steering is soft and felt disconnected from the road; braking was mushy until ABS kicked in during a test panic stop.

Overall performance? Sluggish, except at highway speed with the V6. VUE weighs about 3,600 pounds (plastic body panels are not light weights) and has the top-heavy feel experienced when driving a midsized SUV; it takes some getting used to if you haven’t. My Red Line V6 AWD with the 250-hp engine was more fun to drive than baseline VUEs, but not by much. One high point: Saturn has discontinued use of the noisy and listless Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Once Saturn dealers got their own SUV/crossover, they sold well. VUE is priced smack in the middle of the marketplace, has the smooth V6 250 horse engine and for 2006 improved appearance inside and out. Important: VUE scored a perfect “5” in NHTSA’s front and side impact tests, and an average “3” in their rollover tests. Mileage is a positive (especially these days) for VUE.

Figuring all the engine/tranny combos available, VUE averages  27 miles per gallon, highway and in-town combined, relatively high in its class. There’s a huge amount of competition: Ford’s Escape (available as a gas/electric hybrid)/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Kia Sorento/Hyundai Sonata, Honda’s CR-V and Toyota’s RAV4 along with Subaru’s Forester and the already-mentioned Torrent and Equinox are all in the fight. VUE gets a gas/electric hybrid version called Green Line late in 2006 (a 2007 model) and Torrent/Equinox are slated for a 3.9 liter V6 power package, but not VUE.

Our VUE represented the end of its current product cycle and is one of GM’s best-selling vehicles. Our crossover drove smoothly (if loose and mushy-feeling at times) and was quiet, with no squeaks or rattles. Combined with its stowage space, clearly hits a sweet spot with buyers.