2008 Saturn VUE Consumer Reviews

Big Mistake!!! (Should've kept my CR-V)

Written by: bigmistake on 06/23/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

The design pulled me in at first. Nice test drive. Then things started to go wrong. Cruise control is terrible, it revs really high when going up the slightest incline. Brushed metal trim on steering wheel started peeling off and cut my wife's finger twice. Had it replaced, only to find out the audio controls on the new wheel didn't work. Had a 3rd wheel put on. A few weeks later, the chrome passenger door handle started peeling as well. Had to have that replaced. Gear shifter rattles when temp is cole or hot. Dealer can't find anything wrong.Very limited storage in the back (holds 1 stroller). Should not have even offered a 4 cylinder option. Wish I still had my '05 Honda CR-V.

Favorite Features

Comfortable front seats

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage not as advertised; transmission upgrade/cruise control; more storage area; fit and finish/quality could be better.

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Very good Value in a midsize SUV

Written by: John W on 05/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We have had our Saturn XE Vue FWD for 11 months now and recently purchased a Toyota Venza which we now can compare it to. The Saturn 4-cyl. is a very good match for this vehicle. The 4 speed auto trans. works very well, but I like the Venza 6-speed better. The Saturn has a very comfortable ride and has a great deal of room inside. The driver sits nice and high and this vehicle has an extra fat steering wheel, which I also like. The as built quality looks to be as good as the Toyota. The price makes the Saturn Vue an excellent value in the market, even as we see GM going through all of this change. I would buy another one without question.

Favorite Features

Interior appearance and quality, XM Radio, Storage space, the ride quality, and the power of this 4-cyl. engine.

Suggested Improvements

I wish it did a little better than 19/26 MPG, but it isn't bad. The seating could be a little firmer for long trips.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A DRIVE WITH A VUE

Written by: Gary on 05/15/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have had my Vue for 14 months and have not experienced any mechanical or electrical problems. The V-6 is a very good engine and has plenty of power. It handled great in the snow last winter. The only complaints I have are the tires seem to be wearing out faster than I would have anticipated even though they are filled with nitrogen gas and maintains the recommended pressure in both hot and cold weather. The rear cargo cover gets in the way of hauling larger items. I like the exterior and interior styling. I'm glad I got the V- 6 AWD. I did my research before I bought and was a little scared that the 4 cylinder would not be powerful enough for the weight of the vehicle

Favorite Features

XM radio, heated cloth seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and rain sensing wipers.

Suggested Improvements

Make the rear cargo cover easier to remove.

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Happy With My Vue

Written by: Miss Chris AZ on 04/30/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I have had my Vue for almost a year and am very happy with it. It is a fun car to drive and the interior is very comfortable. It gets reasonably good gas milage and has been very reliable.

Favorite Features

Overall look of the vehicle, radio controls on the steering wheel, a comfortable and reasonably quite ride.

Suggested Improvements

Cruise control is driving me nuts. It downshifts on the slightest incline and then revs up to around 3500 RPM as it climbs the hill. Definitely a design flaw, in my opinion and should have a recall to fix this. Very annoying. The cup holder in the console is too low.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Ride

Written by: Lauren Anne on 04/29/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This SUV was everything I wanted and more in a car. The quality is outstanding. This car has an incredbily smooth drive, great turn radius, and is an all around safe SUV. I cannot imagine owning another SUV and I would highly recommend the Saturn VUE to anyone.

Favorite Features

Floor console, overhead console, smooth drive, storage space on back of driver/front passenger seats, rear storage space.

Suggested Improvements

On the driver's seat, there is a manual lumbar support control. I think that the front passenger should also have the same control on his or her seat.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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LOVE MY VUE!!

Written by: John on 04/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have had my 2008 Saturn VUE XR Front wheel drive since June 2008, and LOVE it! I have a little over 10,000 miles on it. My Mom just purchased a 2009 VUE XR FWD, replacing a 1996 Ford Taurus wagon. I hope that the Saturn brand keeps going. By the way, this is my 2nd Saturn...I had a 1994 Saturn SL2.

Favorite Features

LOVE OnStar, XM radio, performance, ride, cargo space

Suggested Improvements

Would like a passenger side front door automatic lock, better gas mileage

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So far so good!

Written by: Buggs on 04/16/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I purchased the saturn after my FIL rented a 08 vue and hit a Large Buck in WI. He an 2 others WALKED away from the accident. I had driven a Lexus before and loved it, but did not want to part with 40K for a 330 this time. 6+ months later I still and very happy, I dorve the Honda CRV (2009 made and shipped from Japan...NOT an option) and looked at plenty of other options, but went with the Vue due to my FIL. The price was great and I know my kids and myself are safe. I am a small girl so interior space is not a problem. All and all I am happy, any problems have been addressed by my local dealer....Nothing major, just minor things.

Favorite Features

Fully loaded and then some for a GREAT price...dependale and SAFE!!all that matters,

Suggested Improvements

more attention to minor details...but my dealership has REALLT gone above and beyond!

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08 vue

Written by: andy on 04/04/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I recently traded in my 06 vue for an 08 vue xr due to an extremly good deal on the 08. Wasn't really sure how well i would like the 08 but i have to say it is a big improvement over the plastic vues. being all steel now the 08 weighs more and that gives it a better ride and better road feel.Drove both v-6's and the 3.6 is so much better than the 3.5.The interior is much improved as well,with less 'cheap' feeling plastic parts. Only have a couple of complaints -1 being the fuel economy.it's about 5-6 mpg less than my Honda powered 06. i'm sure part is due to the extra weight (500#)but also to the fact the the engine is now GM built.and 2,the torque steer is worse than my 06.but overall better

Favorite Features

love having 257 hp under the hood . the remote start is great in NE winters .Still hate having automatic traction control ,but at least the 08 has a switch that can turn the system off ..has a nice solid feel thru the steering system over the vague 06 .XR has a nice compliment of comfort features .

Suggested Improvements

work on the torque steer issues . put back the temp gauge . GM should be able to improve the fuel economy to bring it in line with the competition. otherwise a very nice car -hope Saturn stays in business.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Enjoy the Vue

Written by: crazykz on 04/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

My Vue handles great, especially in the snow. It has ample power, but I do wish there was some way to have that power and get decent gas mileage at the same time. The interior is quiet and comfortable, although on longer rides the seat hurts the backs of my legs. Cargo space is impressive for a small SUV - has more room than my husband's BMW X3. I do wish I had a sun roof.

Favorite Features

Heated seats, cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Seats and dashboard squeak for some reason. Better gas mileage and better factory installed wiper blades. I had to replace them almost immediately.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Ride quality is exceptional - owned 1 yr

Written by: V6 XR owner on 03/16/2009

Vehicle

2008 Saturn VUE XR 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

The 2008 redesigned Vue has an exceptional ride quality. The comfort of the interior is much higher than several leading competitors we considered. The V6 XR is recommended over the V4 because of the vehicle's weight. The 3.6 V6 is refined and smooth. Gas mileage could be better - but a steel unibody and a wealth of standard safety features are worth some trade off. A great vehicle, despite a couple irksome fit and finish repairs that were fully covered under warranty. Perhaps the best product that's come out under the Saturn label. It's amazing that a previous reviewer is trading down to a clunky Nitro rattle-box from this refined small suv.

Favorite Features

Great ride quality. Solid lumbar support. Good looking exterior. Great dealership service (the best I've had). It feels like a more expensive vehicle than it is. XR 3.6 offers plenty of power when needed. Wonderful to travel in.

Suggested Improvements

More legroom for drivers 6'1 and up. GM needs to improve fit and finish oversite across all of their models.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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