2009 Saturn Outlook Consumer Reviews

2009 Saturn Outlook XR fwd

Written by: Robert whiting on 09/13/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This vehicle is extremely stable. I have avoided three potential accidents by being able to swerve hard to avoid hitting idiot drivers not watching while changing lanes. The computer control stability system really works well. It has all the power needed plus some. (290hp) I got 23.5 mpg on a trip to Texas. 16 to 17 in town with a very light foot. Love the design in and out!! No rattles or squeaks. Door closes like a vault door. Quiet on the road with little wind noise. Love the sliding center armrest! Tons of cargo space with the seats down.

Favorite Features

Dash design and cargo capacity and stability in adverse situations.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy is my only complaint. If you drive in town with a hard right foot, you will get about 12mpg.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Back to American

Written by: Steve on 09/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After having a couple Honda Pilots, GMC Yukon along with several other SUV's... My wife absolutely loves this one! I think GM finally is ahead of the competition with all that this vehicle offers. EXCELLENT Mpg, comfy, plenty of room yet not overwhelmingly large like some. Job well done!

Favorite Features

8 seats... mpg... looks

Suggested Improvements

Possibly a softer look on the dash...

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The best of GM

Written by: AndyS on 09/06/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Vehicle: '09 Outlook XR AWD. We traded a '04 Toyota Camry in on this vehicle to accommodate an expanding family. Contrary to the editor's review, the transmission in the 2009 Outlook is not sluggish. Nothing about the engine or transmission is sluggish at all. The ride is smooth and extra quiet with great handling especially when you consider the size of this vehicle. In fact this vehicle seems to outperform the our old Camry in every aspect. The Outlook has all the features and modern conveniences we could possibly want. A side note, the high beams on the headlights are the brightest and most illuminating I have ever used.

Favorite Features

The rear seating system accommodates bulky items with ease (the front entry door for our house fit with the hatch closed). Dual skylight/sunroof is very nice. Ride, handling and performance is top notch. Cabin noise is virtually non-existent. DVD and wireless headsets are great for the kids.

Suggested Improvements

The power memory seats are only available in the fully loaded version. It would be nice to have them available to all power seat equipped packages.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Mostly great

Written by: OK_NEWXR on 08/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

2009 is NOT sluggish off the line. Power delivery is satisfying and transmission is now calibrated to downshift at slightest provocation (actually somewhat annoying). What we bought for wife and child: FWD XR: convenience and enhanced convenience, sunroofs, headrest DVDs, towing, 20" wheels, 7 passenger, bose audio. At 2k miles, we are happy with overall design and travel comfort, 20 inch wheels don't hurt ride, but make mountain roads tolerable, rearview camera makes up for most of the poor visibility out the back (but visibility is terrible without when backing up so get a camera). Best highway mileage so far is just over 20 at 75mpg, but we're hoping it improves with further break-in

Favorite Features

auto dimming driver side mirror, XM, interior capacity, responsive throttle, bluetooth, handles well for an large vehicle (this coming from a snobbish BMW 5 series driver), wood trim vs metal in Acadia/Traverse, fits 4 foot wide plywood (Enclave can't). Folding mirrors and power lumbar support

Suggested Improvements

Radio integration for headrest DVDs is poor compared to the overhead unit, option prices worse than GMC, transmission downshifts automatically even in manual mode (car views it as just a suggestion really) - does it really think we're too dumb to select a lower gear if acceleration is inadequate??

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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2009 packs an aggressive throttle

Written by: NEWOKXR on 08/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have read all the complaints on the 2008 models with complaints about off the line performance and reluctance to downshift. In addition to the added horsepower of the 2009s, Saturn went the absolute opposite direction for throttle and transmission calibration. It is a bit of a challenge not to chirp the tires off the line even with moderate throttle (FWD hurts here of course), and it downshifts at least one gear with the slightest provocation (really annoying on the interstate). I would rather have it set up for better economy with an available sport mode. Otherwise, we like the car at 2k miles. Best mileage tank so far is 21mpg at about 75mph, hope it improves with break-in.

Favorite Features

bluetooth, XM, front lumbar adjustments (enhanced convenience package), auto-dimming side mirror, controlled (for its size - my daily ride is a BMW 5 series) and comfortable ride.

Suggested Improvements

upper dash material seems a bit cheap but looks ok. Bose advanced audio could use more adjustments

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Road Manners to be Proud Of

Written by: markp on 05/13/2009

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This vehicle handles and feels more like a large upscale sports sedan than an 8 passenger SUV. If needed, there is plenty of power from the direct injection engine. The six speed transmission helps with rapid acceleration and the highway gas mileage. However, you have to have a light touch on the gas pedal to obtain decent gas mileage in stop and go driving. The interior is spacious, the seats are extremely comfortable and the sunroof and backseat skylight are a nice touch.

Favorite Features

Overall superior handling. Surprisingly tight turning radius. The backup camera integrated into the rearview mirror.

Suggested Improvements

As mentioned earlier, the city highway mileage could use some improvement. If Saturn stays in business, the 2 mode hybrid system, being introduced in the Vue, would make this class leader even more compelling.

33 out 34 people found this review helpful

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Luxury of a Minivan without the stigma!

Written by: Lexi on 10/01/2008

Vehicle

2009 Saturn Outlook XE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We bought this car after doing a lot of research over the past year. We needed a car with 7 passenger seating, and we didn't want a minivan. Yes, the gas mileage needs to be improved, but isn't much less than a minivan. For the money, this car has it all. We got a back-up camera, cargo rails, a sunroof, and 7 passenger seating...a must when 2 car seats are installed to insure access to the back row. Speaking of the back row, there is enough room for a carseat (latch in the middle seat) and a normal sized adult on both sides, with out feeling too squished. Overall, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who needs more than 5 passenger seating and is hesitant to but a minivan.

Favorite Features

Back-up camera, 7 passenger seating, XM radio, 3rd row seating designed for adult sized people, storage in back, bluetooth in the vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage needs to be increase (I knew this would be an issue when we bought), less obstructed view from back window when passengers in last row.

185 out 191 people found this review helpful

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