Saturn Vue

The Saturn Vue is a compact SUV that was built and marketed by Saturn, and it was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The Vue was facelifted for the 2006 model year. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model year as a rebadged Opel Antara.

Vue production in North America ended as GM discontinued the Saturn brand as part of the 2009 General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization.

First generation (2002)
The Vue was designed by Saturn and introduced for the 2002 model year. It was manufactured at the Spring Hill GM plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, and the European Opel Antara. The first generation ran from 2002 through 2007.

The Vue was produced trim levels with a four-cylinder (I4) or V6 gasoline engine and a manual or automatic transmission. A Red Line trim was added starting with the 2004 model year. A Green Line (mild hybrid) was added for the final model year of the first-generation Vue (2007). Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) were offered.

Four-cylinder Vues use the Ecotec I4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and five-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all six-cylinder Vues were equipped with Honda's 250 hp J35A3 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder Vue was available with the VTi continuously variable transmission (CVT) until GM canceled it for 2005 due to reliability issues.

The Vue received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar, cruise control, and automatic headlights became standard. However, GM badges were not added to the side of the vehicle until GM took over production from Saturn for the second generation Vue.

Model year changes
The FWD V6 configuration was offered part-way through the model year. This version included the L81 V6 engine with Aisin AF33 five-speed automatic transmission.
 * 2003:

The Vue Red Line trim was added. The V6 models featured the Honda 3.5 L J35S1 engine and a Honda five-speed transmission. This combination improved performance over the prior V6. The Honda V6 engine was used in the Saturn Vue through the 2007 model year.
 * 2004:

The I4 front-wheel-drive configuration included a four-speed automatic transmission in place of the Continuously variable transmission (CVT). The AWD I4 configuration with the CVT was available for the 2005 model year until the existing stock was depleted. Exterior colors Storm Grey, Pacific Blue, and Dragonfly green were added. Electric Blue, Electric Lime, and Rainforest Green are discontinued.
 * 2005:

Facelift with redesigned interior including a new center console, center stack, and upgraded interior trim. New audio options received aux in and satellite radio. New front and rear fascias. Fusion Orange exterior color was added.
 * 2006:

Green Line model added. Fusion Orange exterior color dropped, while Deep Blue color replaced Pacific Blue.
 * 2007:

Red Line
Saturn introduced a high-performance line in 2004 named Red Line. This includes the same 250 hp Honda J35A3 V6 as the regular model, but with suspension tuning that lowered the body by 1 inch, unique power steering calibration, 18 inch alloy wheels, ground-effect front and rear bumpers, unique rocker panel trim, chrome exhaust tip, special black leather and suede seats (optional for 2005, but standard for 2006 and 2007), footwell lighting (included with leather and suede seat package, not available with optional full-leather (heated front) seats), and a special gauge cluster. It also includes some interior features such as a higher quality audio system.

Green Line
The high-performance Vue Red Line was joined in 2007 by the Green Line model. The Green Line was a mild hybrid, or "assist hybrid", using GM's belt alternator starter (BAS) system. An electric motor connected to the crankshaft via a special accessory drive belt and the Green Line included a modified automatic transmission.

The start-stop system automatically stops the engine when the vehicle halts and instantly restarts it when the brake pedal is released. The electric motor assists somewhat during initial launch, providing torque smoothing, and during heavy acceleration. A 36-volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, located under the load floor, powers the BAS and also stores electricity from regenerative braking. The regenerative brake charging and electric motor assist functions are shown to the driver via an analog gauge on the dashboard, and real-time fuel-economy feedback is accomplished via an "eco" light that glows when the instantaneous fuel economy exceeds the published window sticker fuel economy rating.

The fuel savings are 20% up from the base vehicle's 22 mpgus/27 mpgus city/highway EPA sticker to 27 mpgus/32 mpgus, the highest highway fuel economy of any 2007 model SUV sold in the U.S. market. In Canada, according to Saturn, the Vue achieved an estimated 8.8 L/100 km city and 6.7 L/100 km highway.

The Green Line has a 170 hp 2.4 L Ecotec DOHC-phaser engine which replaced the standard 144 hp 2.2 L I4 engine. The 0 - 60 mph acceleration time was improved by 1.0 second. Pricing for the hybrid was about US$2000 more than a similarly equipped Vue, and debuted in production form on January 8, 2006, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Green Line went on sale in the third quarter of 2006.

Safety
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests the Vue receives a "good" overall rating in the frontal offset crash test. In 2008, models came equipped with standard front and rear head side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags. These models were given an "acceptable" overall rating in side impacts. Models without side airbags were given an overall "poor" rating.

Second generation (2008)


Saturn introduced the second generation Vue in 2007 for the 2008 model year, manufactured in Mexico as a rebranded version of the German-designed Opel Antara. The front end featured a large chrome trim on the grille with "teardrop-shaped" headlights. The roof sloped downward to an angled rear hatch. GM badges were featured on the front doors.

The 2008 Vue was available in four trim levels: base XE, midgrade XR, top-of-the-line Red Line, and a Green Line hybrid. The XE included 16-inch wheels, body-colored door handles, and side mirrors, while the XR added chrome door handles, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
 * 2008:

Engine options included a 2.4152 L I4, hybrid 2.4152 L, 3.5 L, or a 3.6152 L V6. The V6 versions of the Vue come with conventional hydraulic power steering, replacing the previous electric assist; however, the I4-powered cars continued with electric power.

The Mexican-manufactured Vue was also marketed in Mexico and South America as the Chevrolet Captiva Sport, with only badges changed and a new grille insert.

Three trim levels: base XE, midgrade XR, and Red Line. The XE included 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel with audio controls and cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, and a CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio. The XR added 17-inch alloy wheels, luggage rack rails, automatic climate control, a power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, and heated side mirrors. The Red Line featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a lowered suspension, a roof-mounted spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, and heated front seats with leather and suede upholstery.
 * 2009:

2010 Saturn Vue was available in two trims, the base XE and the XR. Both were available with a I4 or a V6 engine, as well as front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Vue Hybrid was equipped similarly to the XE Preferred package and available only with front-wheel drive powered by the 2.4 L I4 gas/electric engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
 * 2010:

Discontinuation
Following the end of the Saturn brand in 2009 for the 2010 model year, the Vue was discontinued. However, GM continued to produce the Chevrolet Captiva Sport, for the Mexican and South American markets. The Chevrolet Captiva Sport was introduced for the U.S. commercial and fleet markets in late 2011 for the 2012 model year.