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2009 Saturn VUE Safety Review

March 16, 2009

SAFETY | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Plenty of standard safety features
Edmunds

Good," frontal offset impact and side impact; Top Safety Pick 2009
IIHS

Five stars, front impact and side impact rating; four stars, rollover rating
NHTSA

Crash-test ratings are one of the 2009 Saturn Vue’s strongest attributes, and its list of safety features is clearly a top priority. The addition of Saturn’s Panic Brake Assist, which helps decrease stopping distances in emergency braking situations, can only help increase the Vue’s safety rating.

The 2009 Saturn Vue excels in crash tests conducted by both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 2009 Vue’s IIHS results are impressive, as it earns the highest possible rating in each of the IIHS tests. In fact, the Vue performs so well in those tests that the IIHS awards it a Top Safety Pick 2009 title, stating that it displays "good performance in front, side, and rear tests." In NHTSA tests, the 2009 Saturn Vue earns a perfect five-star rating for both front impact tests, as well as both side impact categories. The only category in which the Saturn Vue scores fewer than five stars is for rollover, where NHTSA gives it a four-star rating.

How many safety features can a compact SUV contain? A "slew of standard safety features that were not available on its predecessor," according to Cars.com. Edmunds reviewers report that those safety features include "antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active head restraints." Motor Trend says that the Saturn Vue's safety features, including "seatbelt pretensioners" and "collapsing pedals" allow crash-test dummies to "emerge unscathed (or at least undead) from the worst crashes conceived by any world government." Motor Trend adds that the "standard stability control with trailer-sway mitigation (a class exclusive) might even help intelligent dummies avoid a crash."

Adding to the 2009 Saturn Vue’s already superb safety rating is excellent visibility, which ConsumerGuide says is "good to all directions." Car and Driver reviewers also rave about the "expansive view out the front windshield," calling it "excellent."

Conclusion

The 2009 Saturn Vue sets a high-water mark for compact SUV safety.

SAFETY | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:Plenty of standard safety featuresEdmundsGood," frontal offset impact and side impact; Top Safety Pick 2009IIHSFive stars, front impact and side impact rating; four stars, rollover ratingNHTSA Crash-test ratings are one of the 2009 Saturn Vue’s strongest attributes, and its list of safety features is clearly a top priority. The addition of Saturn’s Panic Brake Assist, which helps decrease stopping distances in emergency braking situations, can only help increase the Vue’s safety rating. The 2009 Saturn Vue excels in crash tests conducted by both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 2009 Vue’s IIHS results are impressive, as it earns the highest possible rating in each of the IIHS tests. In fact, the Vue performs so well in those tests that the IIHS awards it a Top Safety Pick 2009 title, stating that it displays "good performance in front, side, and rear tests." In NHTSA tests, the 2009 Saturn Vue earns a perfect five-star rating for both front impact tests, as well as both side impact categories. The only category in which the Saturn Vue scores fewer than five stars is for rollover, where NHTSA gives it a four-star rating. How many safety features can a compact SUV contain? A "slew of standard safety features that were not available on its predecessor," according to Cars.com. Edmunds reviewers report that those safety features include "antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active head restraints." Motor Trend says that the Saturn Vue's safety features, including "seatbelt pretensioners" and "collapsing pedals" allow crash-test dummies to "emerge unscathed (or at least undead) from the worst crashes conceived by any world government." Motor Trend adds that the "standard stability control with trailer-sway mitigation (a class exclusive) might even help intelligent dummies avoid a crash." Adding to the 2009 Saturn Vue’s already superb safety rating is excellent visibility, which ConsumerGuide says is "good to all directions." Car and Driver reviewers also rave about the "expansive view out the front windshield," calling it "excellent." ConclusionThe 2009 Saturn Vue sets a high-water mark for compact SUV safety. 2009 SATURN VUE STYLING | [8 out of 10] The Detroit News: "crossover with character" ConsumerGuide: "Everything is well laid out and easy to see" Cars.com: "One of the most aggressively styled SUVs on the road" Most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show the styling of the 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2009 Saturn Vue’s primary rival is perhaps the Honda CR-V, a vehicle that was recently redesigned and boasts a roomy interior and smooth ride. But the CR-V comes with only a peppy and efficient four-cylinder engine, and it's quite a bit lighter than the Vue. The comparably priced Toyota RAV4 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. 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 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 when 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 Paulie #1, Posted: 4/8/2009

    Less cargo space and worse fuel efficiency

    Comparing my 2004 Saturn VUE AWD, the 2009 model is 864 lbs heavier, has 8 cu ft less max cargo capacity, as is less fuel efficient. So why would I want to trade up just to get nicer interior?

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