The Vue will arrive in base XE, upscale XR and high-performance Red Line when it debuts; An eco-friendly Green Line hybrid version will follow early next year. Right now, you can get a front-wheel drive XE Vue for $21,395. This represents a $3,000 bump in price over the previous Vue, but also includes things like anti-lock brakes, an automatic transmission as well as a few other goodies as standard equipment. The most basic Vue is powered by GM’s Ecotec four-cylinder engine in 2.4-liter form, which produces 164 horsepower and is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. This is, interestingly, the only way you can get a four banger in a Vue, and it is available in front wheel drive only. The $24,515 all-wheel drive Vue XEs get a 215 horsepower 3.5-liter pushrod V-6 engine that has, in one form or another, been kicking around GM for more than two decades. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, and like the base model's four-cylinder, this combination is unique to the all-wheel drive Vue XE. It’s well worth the extra stretch to move up to the XR models. Our front-wheel drive XR boasted a 250-horsepower 3.6-liter overhead cam V-6 connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. This is far and away the best powertrain available in the Vue, and at $24,895, we’d take a front driver with this powertrain over the all-wheel drive XE with the lesser V-6. Opt for four-wheel drive in the XR and you get the same engine mated to the same transmission and pay an additional $2,000. The Red Line comes with the same drivetrain, but with more aggressive suspension tuning and exterior styling. Front-wheel drive versions will start at $27,395, while the all-wheel drive Red Line will start at $29,395. Our test car was a more or less loaded front-wheel drive XR. The $24,895 base price quickly grew with the addition of the Convenience Package, which combined rain sensing wipers, heated windshield washer fluid, remote starter and a universal home remote for $505, and the Premium Trim package, which added leather seats, steering wheel and shift knob and heated driver and passenger seats for $1,075. Individual options included chrome skid plates for $170, manual control for the automatic transmission for $150, and the DVD-based navigation system for $2,145 which also necessitated the $325 advanced audio system. Curiously, the navigation system requires the audio system and vice versa; they can’t be had separately, and why they aren’t bundled into one $2,470 option is anyone’s guess. Anyhow, the total price of $29,265 is a big chunk of change, but before you roll your eyes and head to the Toyota or Honda dealership, note that the Vue is priced competitively and has advantages over both of its class-leading rivals: The Toyota RAV4 isn’t available with a factory nav system at any price, and the Honda is four-banger only.
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