Introduction

What’s New – The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line comes with all the goodies available in the revamped 2007 Vue. What’s new for this version of the Euro-styled, no-longer-boxy Saturn crossover is the hybrid drivetrain, boosting economy numbers into more environmentally-friendly territory.

Why It Matters – Styling, utility, economy and an environmental conscience are rarely combined into one neat package. The 2008 Saturn Vue offers an upscale appearance, sport utility usefulness, and the peace of mind afforded from driving a hybrid. All that and it still comes in at an affordable starting price of $25,995.

Saturn Vue Green Line – 2008 Review: First there was the family station wagon: Mom’s car used to haul the kids to school and pick up groceries. In time, wagons went out of style and were replaced by the minivan – the motorized domain of soccer moms and dads. Eventually, we grew tired of these stereotypical family vehicles, and turned to SUVs, but as gas prices went up these proved to be too expensive.

Up next was the car-based SUV, or crossover, a ride with room for stuff and better fuel economy. It only seems natural, then, that the next progression in the pursuit of the perfect grocery getter/kiddie taxicab/daily commuter would be a hybrid version like the Saturn Vue Green Line, a crossover that embodies utility and the ability to shuttle passengers, embraces environmental responsibility, and keeps more funds in the family checkbook.  This is not the perfect hybrid, however, a point Saturn is obviously aware of given the announcement that a more-efficient two-mode system will be arriving in the 2009 Vue. But it does offer an alternative to the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid. The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line has put Saturn onto the future playing field, scoring points in some areas, giving some up in others. In the end, given the competition, we think the Vue came out a winner, even if only by the slightest of margins.