2005 Saturn VUE Review

Saturn is known for its friendly dealerships and the Vue is its sport utility. The Vue is a practical vehicle. Saturn built the Vue on a long wheelbase, resulting in a roomy interior with back seats that recline slightly for comfort. The seats, including the front passenger seat, fold flat for hauling an eight-foot ladder or other cargo, and a cargo organizer aids organization.

The 2005 Saturn Vue gets upgraded trim inside and out, and it benefits from recent improvements that have brought more refinement and made it more enjoyable to drive. All-wheel drive is available for improved traction and stability in winter weather.

The Vue is best equipped with the powerful 3.5-liter V6 and smooth five-speed automatic transmission both built by Honda. Performance with the 250-horsepower V6 places Vue is among the quickest in its class. Standard is a four-cylinder engine with a manual transmission. For 2005, this engine is available with a traditional four-speed automatic transmission. Either way, forward progress with the four-cylinder is lethargic.

The Vue is a compact SUV about the size of a Honda CR-V, smaller than midsize utilities like the Ford Explorer but slightly larger than the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 or Jeep Liberty. Saturn stands out from this crowd with its unique styling and innovative plastic body panels, which resist dents and eliminate corrosion.

In terms of safety, Vue rates five-star scores, the highest given by NHTSA, for driver and passengers in the goverment's frontal and side-impact crash tests. Curtain airbags are available for head protection in an accident.

The Saturn Vue is distinctive and visually striking, but it is not necessarily a head-turner. Its exterior design is more sensible than sensational, with looks that are modern and practical, and strong lines that avoid the bubble effect that curvy, cutesy imported mini-utilities share. In terms of size (and price), the Vue sits between the Honda CR-V and Pilot. It's larger than a Toyota RAV4, smaller than a Highlander.

The front end is thick and snubbed, with headlamps that ride high atop an exaggerated grille. From the side, the Vue is boxy and nondescript, except for its high beltline. Its large, back-end liftgate with floodlights provides easy and efficient access to the rear cargo area.

V6 models feature fog lamps, while Vues with the V6 and AWD ride on larger (17-inch) aluminum wheels. Chrome accents at the front end, once exclusive to the V6, now brighten all Vues, while non-Red Line V6 models have acquired new chrome door handles and belt line molding.

Polymer body panels provide a rugged, dent-resistant exterior without the clutter of lower-body cladding. Gaps between body panels are more pronounced on Saturn vehicles because these polymer panels expand and contract with temperature. Car-height bumpers offer enhanced protection from parking lot damage and help create a smoother appearance. The spare tire is mounted inside the vehicle, which reduces potential damage from low-speed rear impacts.