2005 Saturn VUE Review
Fuel Economy
19 - 23 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A well-thought-out and capable mini sport-ute, the Vue's unimpressive interior and sloppy steering keep it from challenging the class leaders in this segment.
Pros
Strong V6, spacious cabin, comfortable ride, excellent crash test scores, good fuel economy.
Cons
Too many low-grade and ill-fitting interior materials, undersized front seats, vague steering.
What's New for 2005
Revised interior and exterior trim details freshen up the interior of Saturn's SUV. Four-cylinder models get new machined alloy wheels in place of last year's painted alloys, along with new seat fabric, and a four-speed automatic transmission in place of the former CVT unit. All-wheel drive is no longer available on four-cylinder Vues.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
One of the best we ever had
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Saturn VUE Fwd 4dr SUV (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Our 2005 Saturn Vue has been fun to drive for 4 years now. It is so comfortable and getting in the back seat is a breeze. We've had no repairs and had to replace tires at 60,000. It has a little more noise than some but all the other nice thin gs far outweigh that. We hope we can drive this on as long as possible.
Favorite Features
roominess, ease of driving and handling
Suggested Improvements
could be a little more quiety
4 Year Review Of the Vue
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Saturn VUE Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This vehicle replace a 2000 Toyota Avalon with 118k miles. This car was bought new. It was quite good on styling and the comfort level was good for a vehicle this size and type. Ebgine performace was exceptionally good for a V6 type. The quality started ear;y on with the windshiled washer motor going out twice and some of the interior harware coming apart or just breaking with normal use. This was aggrevating and a dissapointment. We had the typical 65k brake job but did not expect the rear main seal of the transmission to go out after 65k miles11 This required the trans to be pulled and was a $600+ expense. I am not so much impressed with this vehicle now- the reliability is BAD!
Favorite Features
Engine performance is very good! Comfort level is good, stereo is nice.
Suggested Improvements
Interior plastic devices that have a hindge on them break easily, the washer motors are a bad design ( it has now gone out a 3rd time!), transmission seals are poor at best. I am now NOT reccomending this vehicle as a good used car purchase consideration- it is falling apart ay a very expensive rate
Luck of the draw
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Saturn VUE AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
An odd vehicle that I bought because my wife liked/wanted it. Initially I didnt think like it much at all. We've used this Vue to tow, haul and carry everything from sea kayaks to dirt bikes as well as a 4000lb trailer across the USA. Its been in the snow in Canada and the desert SW heat as well as off road trails in various parts of the country (after decent tires were added). Its an odd vehicle that has been clobbered by depreciation but I have to say out of the European, Japanese and American vehicles Ive owned over the years, this thing has been the little engine that could. Great family car too. The dealers on the other hand, are so bad I will not darken their doors. Ever.
Favorite Features
Fast, roomy for tall people, can safely tow a LOT for its size.
Suggested Improvements
Need to rebadge and sell through a competent car company (moot point now). OEM tires were atrocious. I put Pirelli Scorpions on it and it was a whole different vehicle (yes, you can get them in that size).
2005 Saturn Vue
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Saturn VUE Fwd 4dr SUV (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my saturn view in october of 2005. The gas gage broke at 5000 miles, then at 12000 miles there was an electrical problem and the daytime running lights stayed on. The car died and I had to have it towed. :(. The dealer covered everything but it was still annoying. The dealer was really slow and took forever.
Favorite Features
I like how easy it was to retrieve the spare tire! Excellent design! I was able to get out my spare tire, take the flat off, and put on the knew one in less than half an hour. I didn't even half to touch the owner's manual!
Suggested Improvements
Side crash safety needs improvement. Never build a car with a 1 disc cd changer. CHEAP! The excuse I was given for them having a 1 disc cd changer was that everyone owns ipods now. OFFER A FREE ONE WITH THE NEXT MODEL!!!
Excellent Value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Saturn VUE AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I purchased this vehicle to replace my 1996 SL2. GM was running the employee pricing and 0% financing for my VUE V6 AWD with leather seats, Safe and Sound package and sunroof, which I got for about 25K. The AWD is fantastic, getting me through the worst of weather with confidence. OnStar has been a great feature, giving me directions, answering questions if a warning light comes on on the dashboard and with their remote unlock service. The car accelerates well, steers well, is comfortable for long drives and has a tremendous amount of cargo space for a compact SUV. Three years later, I still love this vehicle.
Favorite Features
AWD, Honda engine which accelerates very quickly (a big plus if you have to enter highways with very short on-ramps)and shifts smoothly, sound system, 5 star safety features and the endlessly configurable cargo space. I'm always amazed how much I can fit into this vehicle. Great ride for an SUV.
Suggested Improvements
The gas cap never seated properly, and Saturn eventually realized this and replaced it for owners of this model year. Window controls would be more logical on the door than on the center console.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Saturn VUE
- 2008 Saturn VUE
- 2007 Saturn VUE
- 2006 Saturn VUE
- 2005 Saturn VUE
- 2004 Saturn VUE
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