2008 SATURN VUE RED LINE AWD Test Drive

The all-new 2008 Saturn Vue five-door crossover vehicle comes with European-inspired design, sporty ride and handling characteristics. The Vue is the latest Saturn model to showcase the brand’s new design and intensified focus on driving characteristics.

The Vue Red Line ups the ante with higher levels of styling and performance for those drivers that want more from this multi-functional and versatile five seat crossover.
The Vue Red Line features an aggressive front-end design that includes powerful halogen headlamps, a large, lower air opening, a center grille with Saturn’s new chrome bar and badge, plus down below at the sides are projector beam fog lamps. From the side you’ll see short front and rear overhangs, a steeply racked windshield, flared front fenders, lower side extensions, a chrome strip around the greenhouse, and big, pull-out door handles. Giving the Vue Red Line a more aggressive stance is a lowered suspension, more aggressive 18X7in. performance tires and alloy wheels, all working together to enhance driving capabilities when traversing curving roads.
The rear of the Vue Red Line features a unique fascia, spoiler on top of the rear hatch to increase downforce, unique Red Line badging, and dual, chrome trapezoid exhaust tips.

The styling is taut and edgy, just what you want a high-performance crossover to look like.
Styling is one thing, backing it up with adequate power and sharp handling is another.
The Saturn Vue Red Line doesn’t disappoint with a high-performing V6, sport-tuned independent front/rear suspension, and strong brakes.

Power to make the Vue Red Line keep ahead of the traffic is generated from GM’s sophisticated high-feature 60-degree DOHC 3.6 liter all-aluminum V6 engine with VVT. This engine produces 257hp at 6,500rpm and 248lb.ft. of torque at just 2,100rpm. This modern V6 powerplant is mated to GM’s new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmisison with standard tap up/tap down sequential shifter. This smooth shifting six-speed automatic helps maximize performance and economy and is easy and fun to use.

The Vue Red Line comes standard with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive like the model that I tested. I would recommend ordering the optional AWD system to increase traction at launch or when traveling over slick or wet roads, maybe off-road too.

Sporty handling and a compliant ride over rough roads comes from the sport-tuned fully independent suspension. Up front is a MacPherson strut setup with specially tuned coil springs and direct-acting 26mm stabilizer bar. The double-isolated engine cradle adds to the specifically tuned ride and cancels out any noise, vibration or harshness during your ride. The rear independent setup includes trailing arms with three lateral locating links, gas-charged shocks, specifically tuned coil springs, and an indirect-acting 20mm stabilizer bar.

Guiding the Vue Red Line is by specially calibrated hydraulic-power assisted rack & pinion steering. On-center feel was excellent and it gave me a good feel for the road at speed. Augmenting the precise steering and keeping you out of trouble is all-speed traction control in conjunction with StabilTrak from Cadillac. Engine torque reduction and brake intervention when the system detects unwanted wheel-spin keeps you on your chosen path. Even though the all-new Saturn Vue Red Line weighs in at over 4,300lbs., the 257hp V6 VVT engine does the job of easily getting around slower moving traffic in the city and on the freeways. The sport-tuned suspension does a terrific job of keeping the car nicely balanced and level when in straight-line cruising or when attacking curving roads.
Strong, four-wheel vented steel disc brakes, front and rear, ensure that you will safely slow down from speed. Up front are 11.7in. discs clamped with dual-piston calipers and in the rear are 11.9in. discs clamped with large single piston calipers. Braking control is further enhanced with ABS. The pedal feel was very good on the Red Line model that I tested.
With a beautifully sculpted body, 257hp V6 mated to a smooth shifting 6-speed automatic turning all four 18in. wheels under a sport-tuned fully independent suspension, the new Saturn Vue Redline has got to be one of the best of the new breed of compact crossover utility vehicles.
Inside, the Vue continues the upscale theme with refined materials and precise fit and finish. From the outside the interior may seen to be small but once you open all four doors you’ll see a more spacious cabin with seating for five.

The interior offers a host of comfort and convenience features, many of which are not found in other brands in the segment. These include an optional 8-way power driver’s seat, standard flip-down second-row armrest with storage, standard AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability and six speakers, available automatic climate control system with electronic controls, available navigation system with voice recognition, heated front seats and an optional enhanced convenience package that includes automatic rain-sensing wipers, remote start, universal home remote and heated windshield washer system.

Other cabin highlights include rich materials including chrome accents on the air vents, center stack controls, instrument cluster and speakers; bolstered seats upholstered with two levels of flat-woven fabric with specific inserts, leather seating is optional; a front center articulating armrest; low-gloss, low-glare upper instrument panel with embossed grain; amber backlighting in the instrument panel and center stack control faceplates; rear window defroster, power windows/door locks, cruise control, leather wrapped/tilting, door sill plates, steering wheel with auto controls, ample covered and damped storage compartments, including an illuminated, locking and oversized glove box; a sliding storage bin under the front passenger seat; a folding rear seat center armrest with storage; flat-folding 60/40 split rear seatback; a rear cargo management system that features removable, adjustable upper and lower rails and storage nets to contain a variety of items; storage beneath the cargo load floor; and a grab handle above each door.

The Vue Red Line gets an exclusive black interior, including leather sport seats with extra side bolstering with red stitching and perforated suede fabric inserts, unique Red Line instrument cluster graphics, and custom embroidered floor mats.
Safety and security is a top priority and the all-new Saturn Vue Red Line comes standard with a 1-yr. ONSTAR Safe & Sound subscription, stabiliTrak stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, head curtain side airbags, side thorax airbags, dual front airbags with passenger sensing system, 5-3-point safety belts with dual front seatbelt pretensioners, automatic headlamps, daytime running lamps, active head restraints, front, and rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, remote keyless entry and a theft deterrent system.
The all-new Saturn lineup has gone upscale with input from GM’s European design and engineering studios, and the evidence is plainly seen in the all-new Saturn Vue Red Line.
The Red Line gets unique aggressive styling, with engine, transmission and suspension upgrades to back it up. It’s especially good to see that GM is finally paying extra attention to the interior with higher levels of materials, design, comfort, convenience and safety in all of its brands. The base price for a Saturn Vue Redline AWD model is $28,770.00. My test model came with navigation and the advanced audio system for $31,240.00.

Wheelbase: 106.6in.
Overall length: 180.1in.
Overall width: 72.8in.
Overall height: 67in.
Track: f/r-61.4/61.8in.
Fuel tank: 16.7 gallons
Minimum ground clearance: 7.8in.
Curb weight: 4,325lbs.
Headroom: f/r-40.2/39.3in.
Legroom: f/r-40.7/36.9in.
EPA interior volume: 126.9cu.ft.
Cargo volume: behind front seat-56.4/behind 2nd. row seat-29.2cu.ft.
Towing capacity: 3,500lbs.
EPA mileage specs: 16mpg/city, 22mpg/highway