New 2009 Saturn VUE

Now in its second generation, the 2009 Saturn Vue offers carlike handling, a roomy interior, and a host of amenities as one of the most capable and stylish crossover vehicles available.

Available in three trim levels – the base model XE, upscale XR, and high-performance Red Line – the Vue comes in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. The XE has a standard 2.4-liter, 169-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic transmission. The XE AWD has a more powerful 3.5-liter, 222-horsepower V-6 engine. XR and Red Line models sport a 3.6-liter, 257-horsepower V-6 producing a brisk acceleration. Both V-6 engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with available TAPshift manual shift control in the Red Line.  The Vue is fairly fuel efficient with 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway making those trips to the gas station less frequent.  If you like the Vue and you also like excellent fuel economy; the Vue Hybrid gets an astonishing 25/32 MPG city/highway.

The interior is spacious, with 56.4 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded down. The adjustable rear cargo netting is very useful and securely holds your belongings in place. The Convenience Package includes rain-sensing wipers, heated windshield wiper fluid, a remote vehicle starter system, and a universal home remote. Other interior amenities include an optional MP3-combatible CD player with DVD-based navigation system for the ultimate road-trip, the Advanced Audio System with 10 deluxe speakers and a 180-watt amplifier, and XM Satellite Radio for commercial-free programming. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on all models, while automatic air conditioning is an available option.

Six standard airbags include dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags with passenger sensing, side impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags come standard. Standard StabiliTrak stability control system offers sure-footed maneuvering in emergency situations. Available front fog lamps offer additional visibility in nighttime driving.

It’s not as big as its planetary namesake, but the 2009 Saturn Vue SUV has big cargo/passenger volume, fuel efficiency, power, amenities and safety features.