2007 Saturn Vue Green Line First Drive

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Introduction

Saturn Vue Green Line - 2007 First Drive: Timing is everything. Just ask Ford Motor Company, the struggling domestic automaker that recently suffered its share of backlash for abandoning its pledge to produce 250,000 hybrids annually by 2010. A few weeks later, in light of Toyota's success in selling tens of thousands of hybrid vehicles per year, word came that the U.S. Congress was considering offering more incentives for hybrid ownership. Ouch.

Suffering its own share of lumps over the years, General Motors - for once - found itself in the enviable position of not only presenting its 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV to the press, but also confirming for those who weren't sure that a Saturn Aura hybrid sedan will be arriving within six months or so, with a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid sedan arriving soon thereafter. Unlike the two-mode systems featured on the upcoming large GM SUV hybrids, the Vue Green Line, Aura Green Line, and Malibu hybrids couple a traditional four-cylinder engine with an electric generator and a battery pack. Details are sketchy on the sedans, but the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line, due to hit the streets mid-summer 2006, was made available to members of the media for a short drive around Santa Monica, Calif. What we found was an SUV that falls short on both driving excitement and materials quality, but promises to raise a few eyebrows with a $22,995 starting price and claims of 32 mpg on the highway.

Features

It may be the least expensive hybrid SUV currently on the market, but buyers of the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line will still be able to enjoy a generous list of appointments. Among them are 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/70 low-resistance General tires, cruise control, keyless entry, 12 months of OnStar service, a CD player, steering wheel-mounted controls, a rear spoiler, traction control, power door locks, and power windows. Also standard is an air conditioning system with two settings: tapping the button brings up a green light for economy mode, which keeps you cool if not frigid; two taps gets a yellow light and maximum cooling.

The hybrid system includes an auto-stop feature that turns the engine off for up to two minutes while stopped, allowing for improved fuel economy. However, the feature is canceled when the A/C is set to maximum cooling. Despite the inclusion of such features, Saturn has held the base price of the Green Line to $22,995, including a $625 destination charge. However, if you'd like a bit more luxury with your hybrid SUV, Saturn offers options such as a $725 power moonroof, a $755 leather package, upgraded audio and DVD systems running as much as $1,140, and a Comfortably Safe Package that includes side-curtain airbags, XM satellite radio, a power driver's seat, and heated front buckets. Fully loaded, the Vue Green Line carries a sticker price of $26,820.