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2008
Saturn Vue Green Line Road Test Review
General
Motors is rolling out hybrids with a flourish, and the Saturn Vue Green Line is
one of the latest.
The Vue is a compact crossover based on the Opel Antara and GM’s Theta
chassis platform. Opel is a German division of GM, and it’s becoming
commonplace for Saturns to be based on Opels.
 The
hybrid powertrain is similar to the one used in the Aura sedan and the Chevrolet
Malibu. It consists of a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric
motor that deliver a combined 164 horsepower.
The electric motor adds power mostly when accelerating from a stop, climbing
hills or passing.
The base price of the Vue hybrid is $24,170, and the test car had a sticker
price of $26,015.
Hybrids from Ford, Toyota and Nissan combine an Atkinson-cycle gasoline
engine with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission, but
Saturn’s current system is simpler. The electric motor enables the engine
to shut off when the vehicle stops and to restart instantly when it’s time to
move. The 2008 Saturn hybrid cannot run on the electric motor alone. The
system improves mileage by cutting off fuel during deceleration. Regenerative
braking captures electrical energy that charges the battery.
The beauty of Saturn’s system is its simplicity, but the downside is that it
doesn’t improve fuel economy nearly as much as other hybrids. The Vue is
rated at 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway. I averaged a
little over 21 miles per gallon in mostly city driving, according to the car’s
trip computer.
 In
2009, the Saturn Vue Green Line will use a two-mode hybrid system that will be
paired with a 3.6-liter V-6. That model goes into production near the end
of this year. The two-mode system will enable the Vue to operate solely on
electric propulsion at low speed. Saturn said it expects the 2009 Green
Line to provide fuel economy that is 50 percent better than the standard V-6.
Except for the fact that the Vue hybrid shuts off the engine when the vehicle
is stopped and restarts it immediately when the brake is released, it doesn’t
drive any differently than a regular model. The auto-stop function in the
test car was smoother than the one I drove recently in a Chevrolet Malibu
hybrid.
The Vue is a most pleasant compact crossover utility vehicle. The
athletic, coupelike styling always drew admiring looks from other motorists, and
the interior quality is as good or better than anything in its class.
Compact crossovers blend carlike manners with SUV function, and do so in a
relatively small overall footprint.
 The
Vue’s interior looks more expensive than the price would suggest. The dash
and door panels have nice textures, and the brushed silver accents on the
steering wheel give a contemporary look.
The steering wheel has a small thumbwheel for controlling the radio, and its
motion is simple and intuitive. Cruise control is operated from the wheel
as well.
The Vue has seating for five. No third seat is offered, which makes
sense because it would have to be very small.
The test vehicle’s cloth seats were reasonably comfortable. A few
months ago I drove a Vue across the state and thought the front seats could use
deeper cushions, but I didn’t spend that same length of time in the hybrid.
The split-folding back seat has good legroom, and the cargo space is large
enough to be useful. Wind and road noise were minimal.
While the Vue Green Line isn’t as fuel-efficient as other hybrids, its hybrid
system is simpler, which means lower cost, and it drives as smoothly as the
regular gasoline model.
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