More than a day late and several dollars short
By Christian Wardlaw
|
November 13, 2006
What We Drove
Saturn Vue Green Line – Review:Apple is running a brilliant TV spot starring nerdy John Hodgman and geeky Justin Long in the lead roles of “PC” and “Mac.” PC is a meek, troubled soul while Mac is a confident smooth talker. The takeaway is that PCs are half-heartedly engineered, high-maintenance, and undesirable. The automotive corollary might be the Saturn Vue Green Line in the role of PC and the Toyota Prius as Mac. We drove a Saturn Vue Green Line around Los Angeles for a week, and can't think of many reasons to recommend what comes across as a slapped-together patch designed to deflect criticism for GM's tardiness to the hybrid game.
Why We Drove It
The Saturn Vue Green Line is GM's first production hybrid, blending a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a basic electric assist motor and nickel metal hydride battery pack. It includes regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack, and has an auto-stop feature to automatically shut off the gasoline engine when sitting at a traffic light or in traffic. It is a mild hybrid that cannot be driven on battery power alone. An “eco” light in the gauge cluster tells the driver when fuel economy is maximized, but the Green Line does not include an average fuel economy display or power meter like other hybrids. The Green Line is $3,225 more expensive than a Vue four-cylinder with an automatic transmission.
Performance
The Saturn Vue Green Line is not a full hybrid, which means it cannot operate on the electric assist motors alone. That's not ideal, but the compromise equates to a lower price tag for the technology. The Saturn Vue's hybrid powertrain isn't the most refined – the engine kicks on and off with a shudder, for example – but is adequate for the commuting most people do. If you need more power, the Vue Green Line can deliver but not with extra reserves. I like the traditional transmission mated to this hybrid because when accelerating the Vue doesn't suffer the long, protracted drone of a typical hybrid with a CVT.
Handling
Despite cabin upgrades for 2006, the Vue is a mediocre piece of design and engineering. Dynamically the Vue feels dull and ponderous, light and disconnected all at the same time. The electric steering is awful, providing zero feel for the road or the degree to which the front wheels might be turned. The brakes feel OK until the regenerative feature abruptly cycles on and off, suddenly cutting or lengthening stopping distances at whim. Ride quality is decent, and you get the sense that there is a fundamentally sound SUV under all the compromise-by-committee execution.
Visibility
Outward visibility from the Saturn Vue Green Line's driver's seat is excellent. The windshield supports are shaped to maximize visibility and the side mirrors are huge. The rear head rests don't block the view out of the large back window, and it's easy to see out over your shoulders. The Vue is very easy to park and maneuver from a visibility standpoint.
Fun to Drive
There's not a single thing about the Saturn Vue Green Line that makes it fun to drive. Most hybrids, at the very least, have a fuel economy/power assist computer that presents a challenge in maximizing fuel economy – but not the Vue. Reset the trip odometer and crunch numbers on a calculator to find out what your real-world fuel economy is. We managed just 22.6 mpg, a little short of the EPA rating of 27 in the city and 32 on the highway.
Front Comfort
Except for seats that seem a size or two too small, the Saturn Vue is quite comfortable for front seat passengers. The cloth upholstery is tasteful and feels durable; it doesn't pill or collect lint. The manual seat height adjuster provides just enough vertical height to satisfy the short-torsoed. The upper door panels are softly padded, there are inboard armrests, and the steering wheel is nicely shaped. Larger people are likely to feel pinched between the door panel and the center armrest. Also, a passenger of mine wearing shorts complained that when she slid out of the Vue, the plastic on the seat base pinched her skin. Yowch!
Rear Comfort
Avoid riding in the Saturn Vue Green Line's low, flat, unsupportive park bench of a back seat if you can. With tall people in the front, similar-sized rear passengers will find their legs in contact with the front seatbacks. Saturn does provide decent foot space under the front chairs, and it's easy to get in and out through the large rear doors.
Interior Noise
Thinly isolated from outside noise, the Saturn Vue Green Line generates plenty of tire and wind roar at highway speeds. I found myself really cranking up the stereo, especially talk radio stations, to hear the music or discussion over the din.
Loading Cargo
Well executed for cargo carrying, this is where the Saturn Vue Green Line shines. It features a low liftover height and the tailgate rises enough for six-footers to clear their heads. The rear seats fold flat by simply releasing the seatbacks and giving them a push, and the front passenger's seat also folds flat to carry really long items. The cargo area on our test Vue contained eight tie-down hooks, an organizer, and twin storage bins on either side. Saturn also includes nice grips for closing the hatch and an integrated step pad on the rear bumper.
Build Quality
We found several build quality issues with our Saturn Vue Green Line. On the outside, the paint showed substantial orange peel texture, the left rear door and chrome beltline trim displayed grossly inconsistent gaps, the tailgate didn't fit evenly, and the seams between the hood, headlights, and headlight seals needed improvement. Getting inside, the doors slammed with a cheap judder. The pillar trim and plastic gauge shroud were flimsy, the glove box door was mounted off-center, and the lower left dash panel exhibited large gap where it joined the upper dash pad. Finally, the silver plastic trim along the right side of the center stack was loose due to a broken clip.
Materials Quality
The Saturn Vue's whiff of cheapness comes more from the way it drives than the materials used in its construction. The seat fabric is excellent, I liked the soft-padded door and dash panels, the new parts-bin switchgear looks and feels good, and the plastic backing the door panel grips proves GM knows how to get the details right. Older Vue carryover parts look and feel cheap, especially the steering column stalks. The Vue's headliner is fuzzy and low-rent, the urethane steering wheel sparkles cheaply in sunlight, and the rough-edged plastic hanging over the storage slot forward of the shifter is sure to take off a layer of skin sooner than later.
Styling
The Saturn Vue is a handsome looking SUV except for the front end. Restyled for 2006, the Vue's headlights and grille are busier and less cohesive than the original's T-square-inspired right angles and rectangular themes. I'm not a fan of the chrome billboards on the back of the Vue, either, especially the over-the-top bumper garnish. Inside, the new center console adds welcome storage and the parts-bin steering wheel and switchgear gives the Vue a more upscale look and feel. Trouble is, they look different than carryover parts from older Vues, and though most cabin patterns are muted there are six different ones between the headliner, seats, pillars, lower trim, dash, and door panels. Call it a work in progress.
Storage
Storage areas aren't lacking inside the Saturn Vue Green Line, especially now that a larger and more versatile center console has been added. That center box has cupholders and a cell phone holder with removable liners, or you can lift this top tray out to expose a large rubber-lined box with a 12-volt outlet. Behind this, there is another box with a rubber liner, a 12-volt outlet for rear passengers, a rubber-lined tray for rear passengers, and two rear cupholders. Front and rear door panel slots, a good-sized glove box, and small slots on either side of the gearshift are also helpful.
Infotainment Controls
Where's the trip computer, fer cryin' out loud? GM's corporate parts-bin stereo includes a big, centrally located, rubberized and chrome accented power/volume knob. The tuning knob is smaller and located to the upper right, opposite an even smaller “info” button. This arrangement is not symmetrical and reminds me of a solar system mobile. Also, even with the Saturn Vue Green Line's fixed roof, the stereo display washes out in bright sunlight.
Climate Controls
Got a major complaint from my Significant Other about the Saturn Vue Green Line's lack of vent shut-off functionality as we rode north from Long Beach to L.A. in afternoon sunlight. I was bathed in heat, she was in the shadows. I needed air conditioning, she didn't. Nobody was happy. Also, the A/C basically stops working in auto-stop mode, turning the Vue Green Line into a sauna on hot, gridlocked days. Unlike most hybrids, the Vue Green Line doesn't come with automatic climate control.
Secondary Controls
Why are the Saturn Vue's power mirror, power window, and central power door lock controls on the panel surrounding the shifter? I mean, owners will figure it out and stop wondering after the first week, but this is rather unconventional. The turn signal stalk feels and sounds like it is snapping in two when used – where is that nicely damped parts-bin stalk from other GM models? The wiper stalk feels similarly cheap, but exhibits flaccidity not common to the signal stalk.
2nd Opinion – Ron Perry
Saturn Vue Green Line – Ron Perry's Opinion:
My biggest issue with the Saturn Vue Green Line is the rough transition when the electrics kick in, an issue that I couldn't deal with on a daily basis. The steering and brakes relayed enough information to drive the Vue Green Line with confidence in traffic but it lacked acceleration for confident, comfortable freeway driving. Inside, I found the interior comfortable but noisy and suffering a cheap look and feel. With an observed fuel mileage of just 22.6 mpg, I don't see the justification for the Saturn Vue Green Line. If I were shopping for a hybrid, I'd drive right past the Saturn dealer.
The Saturn Vue Green Line is GM's first production hybrid, blending a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a basic electric assist motor and nickel metal hydride battery pack. It includes regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack, and has an auto-stop feature to automatically shut off the gasoline engine when sitting at a traffic light or in traffic. It is a mild hybrid that cannot be driven on battery power alone. An “eco” light in the gauge cluster tells the driver when fuel economy is maximized, but the Green Line does not include an average fuel economy display or power meter like other hybrids. The Green Line is $3,225 more expensive than a Vue four-cylinder with an automatic transmission.
Performance
The Saturn Vue Green Line is not a full hybrid, which means it cannot operate on the electric assist motors alone. That's not ideal, but the compromise equates to a lower price tag for the technology. The Saturn Vue's hybrid powertrain isn't the most refined – the engine kicks on and off with a shudder, for example – but is adequate for the commuting most people do. If you need more power, the Vue Green Line can deliver but not with extra reserves. I like the traditional transmission mated to this hybrid because when accelerating the Vue doesn't suffer the long, protracted drone of a typical hybrid with a CVT.
Handling
Despite cabin upgrades for 2006, the Vue is a mediocre piece of design and engineering. Dynamically the Vue feels dull and ponderous, light and disconnected all at the same time. The electric steering is awful, providing zero feel for the road or the degree to which the front wheels might be turned. The brakes feel OK until the regenerative feature abruptly cycles on and off, suddenly cutting or lengthening stopping distances at whim. Ride quality is decent, and you get the sense that there is a fundamentally sound SUV under all the compromise-by-committee execution.
Visibility
Outward visibility from the Saturn Vue Green Line's driver's seat is excellent. The windshield supports are shaped to maximize visibility and the side mirrors are huge. The rear head rests don't block the view out of the large back window, and it's easy to see out over your shoulders. The Vue is very easy to park and maneuver from a visibility standpoint.
Fun to Drive
There's not a single thing about the Saturn Vue Green Line that makes it fun to drive. Most hybrids, at the very least, have a fuel economy/power assist computer that presents a challenge in maximizing fuel economy – but not the Vue. Reset the trip odometer and crunch numbers on a calculator to find out what your real-world fuel economy is. We managed just 22.6 mpg, a little short of the EPA rating of 27 in the city and 32 on the highway.
Front Comfort
Except for seats that seem a size or two too small, the Saturn Vue is quite comfortable for front seat passengers. The cloth upholstery is tasteful and feels durable; it doesn't pill or collect lint. The manual seat height adjuster provides just enough vertical height to satisfy the short-torsoed. The upper door panels are softly padded, there are inboard armrests, and the steering wheel is nicely shaped. Larger people are likely to feel pinched between the door panel and the center armrest. Also, a passenger of mine wearing shorts complained that when she slid out of the Vue, the plastic on the seat base pinched her skin. Yowch!
Rear Comfort
Avoid riding in the Saturn Vue Green Line's low, flat, unsupportive park bench of a back seat if you can. With tall people in the front, similar-sized rear passengers will find their legs in contact with the front seatbacks. Saturn does provide decent foot space under the front chairs, and it's easy to get in and out through the large rear doors.
Interior Noise
Thinly isolated from outside noise, the Saturn Vue Green Line generates plenty of tire and wind roar at highway speeds. I found myself really cranking up the stereo, especially talk radio stations, to hear the music or discussion over the din.
Loading Cargo
Well executed for cargo carrying, this is where the Saturn Vue Green Line shines. It features a low liftover height and the tailgate rises enough for six-footers to clear their heads. The rear seats fold flat by simply releasing the seatbacks and giving them a push, and the front passenger's seat also folds flat to carry really long items. The cargo area on our test Vue contained eight tie-down hooks, an organizer, and twin storage bins on either side. Saturn also includes nice grips for closing the hatch and an integrated step pad on the rear bumper.
Build Quality
We found several build quality issues with our Saturn Vue Green Line. On the outside, the paint showed substantial orange peel texture, the left rear door and chrome beltline trim displayed grossly inconsistent gaps, the tailgate didn't fit evenly, and the seams between the hood, headlights, and headlight seals needed improvement. Getting inside, the doors slammed with a cheap judder. The pillar trim and plastic gauge shroud were flimsy, the glove box door was mounted off-center, and the lower left dash panel exhibited large gap where it joined the upper dash pad. Finally, the silver plastic trim along the right side of the center stack was loose due to a broken clip.
Materials Quality
The Saturn Vue's whiff of cheapness comes more from the way it drives than the materials used in its construction. The seat fabric is excellent, I liked the soft-padded door and dash panels, the new parts-bin switchgear looks and feels good, and the plastic backing the door panel grips proves GM knows how to get the details right. Older Vue carryover parts look and feel cheap, especially the steering column stalks. The Vue's headliner is fuzzy and low-rent, the urethane steering wheel sparkles cheaply in sunlight, and the rough-edged plastic hanging over the storage slot forward of the shifter is sure to take off a layer of skin sooner than later.
Styling
The Saturn Vue is a handsome looking SUV except for the front end. Restyled for 2006, the Vue's headlights and grille are busier and less cohesive than the original's T-square-inspired right angles and rectangular themes. I'm not a fan of the chrome billboards on the back of the Vue, either, especially the over-the-top bumper garnish. Inside, the new center console adds welcome storage and the parts-bin steering wheel and switchgear gives the Vue a more upscale look and feel. Trouble is, they look different than carryover parts from older Vues, and though most cabin patterns are muted there are six different ones between the headliner, seats, pillars, lower trim, dash, and door panels. Call it a work in progress.
Storage
Storage areas aren't lacking inside the Saturn Vue Green Line, especially now that a larger and more versatile center console has been added. That center box has cupholders and a cell phone holder with removable liners, or you can lift this top tray out to expose a large rubber-lined box with a 12-volt outlet. Behind this, there is another box with a rubber liner, a 12-volt outlet for rear passengers, a rubber-lined tray for rear passengers, and two rear cupholders. Front and rear door panel slots, a good-sized glove box, and small slots on either side of the gearshift are also helpful.
Infotainment Controls
Where's the trip computer, fer cryin' out loud? GM's corporate parts-bin stereo includes a big, centrally located, rubberized and chrome accented power/volume knob. The tuning knob is smaller and located to the upper right, opposite an even smaller “info” button. This arrangement is not symmetrical and reminds me of a solar system mobile. Also, even with the Saturn Vue Green Line's fixed roof, the stereo display washes out in bright sunlight.
Climate Controls
Got a major complaint from my Significant Other about the Saturn Vue Green Line's lack of vent shut-off functionality as we rode north from Long Beach to L.A. in afternoon sunlight. I was bathed in heat, she was in the shadows. I needed air conditioning, she didn't. Nobody was happy. Also, the A/C basically stops working in auto-stop mode, turning the Vue Green Line into a sauna on hot, gridlocked days. Unlike most hybrids, the Vue Green Line doesn't come with automatic climate control.
Secondary Controls
Why are the Saturn Vue's power mirror, power window, and central power door lock controls on the panel surrounding the shifter? I mean, owners will figure it out and stop wondering after the first week, but this is rather unconventional. The turn signal stalk feels and sounds like it is snapping in two when used – where is that nicely damped parts-bin stalk from other GM models? The wiper stalk feels similarly cheap, but exhibits flaccidity not common to the signal stalk.
2nd Opinion – Ron Perry
Saturn Vue Green Line – Ron Perry's Opinion:
My biggest issue with the Saturn Vue Green Line is the rough transition when the electrics kick in, an issue that I couldn't deal with on a daily basis. The steering and brakes relayed enough information to drive the Vue Green Line with confidence in traffic but it lacked acceleration for confident, comfortable freeway driving. Inside, I found the interior comfortable but noisy and suffering a cheap look and feel. With an observed fuel mileage of just 22.6 mpg, I don't see the justification for the Saturn Vue Green Line. If I were shopping for a hybrid, I'd drive right past the Saturn dealer.
Photos courtesy of Ron Perry