08 Saturn VUE Redline AWD By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net  Recently, I had a great, but small SUV to test drive.  It was the new Saturn VUE Redline model with All Wheel Drive.  Just in case you didn’t know – Saturn has come up with a couple of excellent choices in the naming game.  RED LINE refers to the vehicle models that are more oriented towards sports car enthusiasts.  GREEN LINE obviously is designed to appeal to those more interested in the environment.

I had my first glimpse of the Redline VUE at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show earlier this year.  For a week-long test drive, however, I had to wait for one to be available in the Press Fleet.  Judy and I had our opportunity last week, following the Thanksgiving break.  Our test model was Ruby Red in color with a black interior.  It was a V6 engine and a six speed automatic transmission. 

One of the first things I noticed was that the engine didn’t appear to be any faster or have more horsepower than the Saturn VUE Green Line model.  I was thinking, just maybe, they would give this Red Line a bigger, more powerful engine.  I was wrong.  Then again, this isn’t supposed to be a sports car.  It’s a small SUV.  Saturn’s design engineers, however, did give it some great exterior and interior looks.  And it does move down the highway with ease.

The front bumper was rather large.  The front grille appeared to be lower.  These and the other lines gave a sporty look to the VUE.  There was even a rear spoiler added – on a little SUV.  The spoiler, performance tires, and dual chrome exhaust tips made it look as if it would go fast and perform well.  Every time I got behind the wheel, I felt obliged to push the pedal down a little bit more and try to outrun the soccer moms fulfilling their daily duties. 

Inside, you felt comforted.  The seats were awesome.  They were very sporty, black leather, with suede inserts and red stitching.  They were comfortable, supportive and seemed to almost hug the body like good sports car seats do.  The rear cargo area was spacious enough for most applications and provided convenient access.  The lift-gate was easy to access, raise, and lower.

Standard equipment on our test model VUE was a lot you have come to expect on most vehicles – cruise control, rear window defroster, automatic climate controls, power door locks, power windows, AM/FM with MP3 hookups.  There were a few extra touches that came as standard equipment, such as an automatic dimming mirror, deluxe fog lamps, and the leather wrapped steering wheel.

The powertrain was a 3.6 liter V6 engine that provided 252 horsepower.  It was matched with a six speed automatic transmission.  This is the same engine offered in the Pontiac Torrent GXP and the Chevrolet Equinox Sport.  GM is making use of dependable and proven items already in their corporate umbrella.  This 3.6 liter V6 provided all the push and pull needed for a small SUV and I really don’t have any complaints about the performance.  I was just anticipating a little bit more out of a Red Line model, thinking I would get more of a sportier and faster ride.  The suspension, the handling, the cornering – were all good with no problems encountered during the week’s driving.  And it certainly was able to zip and zoom through traffic and around a lot of the other vehicles.  Other VUE models have engine options of a 163 horsepower 2.4 liter, a 215 horsepower 3.5 liter, or a new hybrid engine. 

MSRP on the 08 Saturn VUE Red Line was $28,770.  The test drive model had a good Navigation System added as well as an advanced Audio System.  These and the delivery charges bumped the bottom sticker price to $31,865.  Fuel economy is rated at only 16 city and 22 highway. 

It was a smooth riding vehicle – not really super fast and sporty, but smooth, pleasant, and comfortable.  I didn’t notice any wind or road noise at highway speeds.  Check out the new Saturn VUE Red Line yourself at your General Motors dealership.