Car Gazing
Saturn VUE sees few changes for 2003
By Derek Price
Saturn entered the SUV fray in 2002 with its functional, modern-looking VUE
that came packed with what many of today's buyers want in a family vehicle.
It had comfortable seating for five, a fairly smooth highway ride, and
optional all-wheel drive to improve performance on wet or muddy roads. It
also came with some drawbacks, like flimsy plastic around the cabin, a noisy
V6 engine, and a hefty base price.
Think Saturn fixed the weaknesses? Not a chance.
Actually, this Saturn remains largely the same as last year's model – no
surprise from a company that has a history of leaving its vehicles
essentially unchanged for up to a decade.
The VUE's biggest changes for 2003 are making a V6 engine available on
front-wheel-drive models and allowing some fancy-pants options to dress up
the cabin. Heated leather seats are available with lumbar support for the
driver, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an upgraded stereo, and
a couple of new colors: "bright blue" and "medium green."
Other than that, little has changed on this plastic wonder.
It still has the same dent-resistant polymer body that looks nice and could
help resale value by denying baseballs and shopping carts their typical
roles as ding-makers. And, while noisy on the highway, the V6 engine still
pulls like an ox and offers better-than-expected acceleration.
Body styling is typical Saturn, with clean lines and a distinct look –
including new badges for 2003 – that make it look both tough and modern. It
has no cute curves like many other mini-SUVs, instead opting for straight
lines and dramatic creases.
Inside, cheap-feeling materials continue to detract from an otherwise nicely
styled passenger compartment. Some ergonomics are quirky, though, especially
the power window switches on the center console.
Probably the VUE's best feature is its highly configurable cabin. Rear seats
fold flat for great cargo capacity, and if that's not enough, the front
passenger seat can be flipped forward to allow room for an eight-foot
ladder.
With such truck-like functionality, you might expect the VUE to have an
unrefined, truck-like ride. It doesn't. It feels smooth and silky, though
not quite as precise as some of its competitors.
Speaking of competitors, the VUE definitely has an uphill fight against such
gallant SUVs as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda Tribute, Jeep Liberty,
Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Pontiac Aztek, all of which offer good
quality and features. With so many choices competing for your money, it's
best to spend time behind the wheel of each of your favorites before making
a decision.
As for price, the VUE remains on the high side when you consider its
features and apparent quality. It starts around $22,000, and options can
quickly run the sticker up to nearly $30,000, far above some of its more
refined competitors.
But, Saturn buyers are among the most loyal in the car industry, and they're
bound to have a reason. Nothing else is quite like a Saturn in terms of
style, innovative features, and a no-hassle buying experience, and the VUE
delivers on all those.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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