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2008 Saturn VUE Review

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Handsome interior and exterior European styling
Edmunds

One of the most aggressively styled SUVs on the road
Cars.com

Everything is well laid out and easy to see
ConsumerGuide

The 2008 Saturn Vue is a completely redesigned compact SUV derived from GM's European subsidiary Opel. Accordingly, the Saturn Vue features distinctly European styling that helps it stand out on American roads.

The redesigned 2008 Saturn Vue is available "in three trim levels," according to Edmunds: "base XE, midgrade XR and sporting Red Line." All trims of the Saturn Vue 2008 sport aggressive styling, and Cars.com says that "the Vue is one of the most aggressively styled SUVs on the road, looking neither too masculine (Dodge Nitro), too boxy (Hummer H3) nor too odd (Honda CR-V)." Most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show the styling to be a hit, and reviewers at The Detroit News rave about this "crossover with character." Kelley Blue Book points out some specific characteristics, noting that "with its big and bold front end, trendy side vents and sloping roofline, the 2008 Saturn Vue is among the sportiest-looking SUVs in the segment." Cars.com mentions "the large chrome grille and teardrop-shaped headlights are probably the most masculine attributes" of the Saturn Vue, while "the downward-sloping roof, ending in a radically angled rear hatch, exudes European design."

The accolades don't stop at the exterior of the Saturn Vue 2008, either. Regarding the interior, ConsumerGuide reviewers gush, "Everything is well laid out and easy to see," including "large and clear gauges" and an "available navigation system" that "absorbs audio functions but doesn't complicate their use." Kelley Blue Book praises the "generous helping of high-quality materials and contemporary styling" on the Saturn Vue, which "combine in a comfortable and attractive interior." Cars.com reserves high praise for the interior, where "the metal on the wheel and interior door handles was a very elegant touch, and just the right amount as to not overwhelm the cabin," according to reviewers. Also, the interior of the Saturn Vue bears "an array of chrome-accented round shapes, from the gauges to the air vents to the climate controls," which Edmunds feels "lend a sense of classic style to the cabin."

Conclusion

The 2008 Saturn Vue reemerges as a stylish alternative to competing compact SUVs.


Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

With space for five and two rows of seating, the 2008 Saturn Vue competes against the smaller compact crossover vehicles. Its primary rival is perhaps the Honda CR-V, a vehicle that was redesigned last year and boasts a roomy interior and smooth ride. But the CR-V comes only with a peppy and efficient four-cylinder engine, and it's quite a bit lighter than the Vue. The Subaru Forester is another alternative; compared to the Vue, the Forester drives more like a sporty small car, with crisp handling and good performance from its flat-four engine, plus standard all-wheel drive. The Toyota RAV4--closely priced--is about the same size as the Vue on the outside, but it has seating for seven and a third-row seat, along with a more efficient four-cylinder engine and a more powerful V-6. And the Ford Escape, despite a recent reskin, looks dated but is still very competitive, with a space-efficient design. The Vue's fuel economy is not as good as that of either the Ford Escape or Toyota RAV4 equipped with their optional V-6 engines.

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See the Saturn VUE in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Duane Hanely | Posted: Jun 2nd 2009, 03:51:34 PM

    Approx. 1 yr. ago my daughter bought this new 2008 Saturn Vue with a four cyl. engine and Automatic Transmission . With around 30,000 mi. on it it has a wineing noise after it is supposed to be in High Gear . She complained about it and the dealership said there is nothing wrong with it . That is very anoying , especially for a new car . What can we do about this problem ?

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