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The 2009 Saturn Vue lineup is largely unchanged. Based on the European Opel Antara, the 2009 Vue is offered in XE, XR, sporty Red Line, and Hybrid (formerly Green Line) trim levels. Vue seats five and is available with front- or all-wheel drive and a range of 4-cylinder, V6, and hybrid powertrains. Conventional 4-cylinder Vues have 169 hp, front-wheel drive, and come in XE and XR trim levels. The AWD XE has a 222-hp 3.5-liter V6. XR V6 and Red Line have a 257-hp 3.6-liter V6. All Vues include an automatic transmission.

The Hybrid version has a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine that pairs with an electric motor for 172 hp. No plug-in charging is required. The Hybrid has a 4-speed automatic transmission. Promised, but not delivered was a “2 Mode” hybrid that would have paired a V6 engine with an electric motor. The 2 Mode Hybrid could run solely on electric power. With General Motors having sold the Saturn brand, it is unlikely the Vue 2 Mode will be released. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. A navigation system is available, as are heated seats, remote engine start, and a rear cargo management system that is adjustable for different cargo-carrying needs. A wireless cell-phone link is newly available.

The 2010 VUE Hybrid is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in one trim only, the FWD 4-Cylinder.

Upon introduction, the VUE Hybrid is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 172-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 25-mpg in the city and 32-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Saturn Vue has been discontinued, but examples of 2009 models may be available on dealer lots. Check out Consumer Guide’s review of the 2009 Saturn Vue for prices, ratings, specifications, and photos. Note that General Motors is phasing out the Saturn brand, a process scheduled for completion in calendar 2010.

The 2009 Saturn Sky lineup gains a new trim level. This two-seat convertible shares its basic design with the Pontiac Solstice, but differs in styling, features, and price. Like Solstice, Sky has rear-wheel drive, 4-cylinder engines, and a manual-folding soft top with a heated-glass rear window. The top folds into the trunk. The base Sky has a 173-hp 2.4-liter engine. The high-performance Red Line has a turbocharged 260-hp 2.0-liter engine. Both offer 5-speed manual transmission and an optional 5-speed automatic. Red Line has specific suspension tuning.

Available safety features include ABS, an antiskid system, and traction control. No side airbags are offered. Both models come with air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and locks. Newly available on the 2009 Sky is the Ruby Red model, which has leather upholstery and specific interior and exterior trim.

Saturn’s popular Sky roadster, the first Saturn model in the brand’s aggressive product renaissance, emphasizes a bold, European-inspired look and fun, responsive driving. The affordable performance roadster enters its third model year of wooing enthusiasts who want a sports car that doesn’t break the bank.

The Sky is the car that started it all; the car that sparked the revival of the Saturn brand. As a Saturn halo vehicle, it fulfills it’s intended purpose: which is to get people into Saturn showrooms. Buyers love the Sky for it’s European looks, RWD and affordable price. RIA steps things up a notch with it’s next generation Sky.

Changes start with the the powertrain and the addition of a more luxury oriented retractable hardtop XR model. XE starts with a 2.0L 200HP Ecotec 4 and, as always, is the cheerful and inexpensive model of the lineup. XR has a 2.0L 245HP Ecotec Turbo 4, as well as the retractable hardtop. Sky RL turns up the heat on performance with a 2.8L 300HP High Output Turbo (HOT) HF V6. Aggressively styled and hard core performance tuned, RL also sheds weight by eschewing the retractable hardtop roof and using lightweight materials. Although some have questioned whether there will next generation Kappa cars, the success of the Solstice and Sky roadster and planned uses for the platform in the future lead us to believe that isn’t the case.

Specifications Sheet

Vehicle Type: Compact 2 Passenger Roadster
Size Comparison: Pontiac Solstice
Competitors: Pontiac Solstice, Mazda MX-5
Base Platform: Kappa
Drive Wheels: RWD
Engines:
XE: 2.0L 200HP Ecotec 4 (w/DI) – Starting at $23,250
XR: 2.0L 245HP Ecotec Turbo 4 – Starting at $27,450
RL: 2.8L 300HP HF HOT V6 – Starting at $30,150
Transmissions: 6-speed Manual (Standard, XE), 6 speed DSG (Optional, XE Standard, XR/RL)

The 2009 Saturn Outlook receives more power, a new Touring Package, and more available features. This crossover SUV shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and premium-midsize Buick Enclave. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available. Base XE and uplevel XR trims are offered. Both have a 3.6-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. XEs have 281 hp, XRs 288, which is a bump of 11 and 13 hp, respectively.

Standard seating is for eight with 2nd- and 3rd-row bench seats. XE and XR offer optional 2nd-row buckets for seven-passenger seating. All Outlooks have GM’s Smart Slide 2nd-row seats designed to allow easier access to the 3rd row. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Remote engine start and DVD entertainment are available. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard on XR and optional on XE.

Also newly available is a wireless cell-phone link. Rear-obstacle detection is available on both XE and XR, and a rearview camera is now available on all models for 2009, including ones without a navigation system. The available navigation system now includes real-time traffic updates. The Touring Package includes 20-inch wheels and rear fascia cutouts for the dual exhaust.

The 2010 Saturn Outlook will be discontinued following a short production run. General Motors is phasing out the Saturn brand, a process scheduled for completion by the end of calendar 2010. Outlook shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and premium-midsize Buick Enclave. It comes in XE, XE Premium, XR-L, and XR-L Premium trim levels, each with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Also offered is the entry-level front-drive XV.

All have a 3.6-liter V6 engine. XV, XE, and XE Premium have 281 hp while the XR-L and XR-L Premium have 288 hp. All use a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 5200 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.

Standard on the XE Premium and all XR-L versions are rear-obstacle detection, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a wireless cell-phone link. XR-L and XR-L Premium have leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power liftgate. XR-L Premium has a sunroof and xenon headlights.

The 2009 Saturn Aura lineup shuffles some trim levels and model names and adds some new features. This midsize sedan shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, and Saab 9-3. Aura offers base XE, uplevel XR, and gas/electric Hybrid (formerly Green Line) models. XE and new-for-2009 XR 4-cylinder models have a 169-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. XR V6 models have a 252-hp 3.6-liter V6.

All XE and XR Auras have a 6-speed automatic transmission. This transmission replaces a 4-speed automatic on 4-cylinder Auras. The XE V6 model with its 219-hp 3.5-liter engine has been discontinued.

The Aura Hybrid has a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that pairs with an electric motor for 164 hp total. This hybrid can shut off the gas engine at a stop, but it cannot run solely on electric power.

It uses a 4-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags and front side airbags. GM’s OnStar assistance is standard. Leather upholstery with heated front seats is available, as is a sunroof. Newly available for 2009 is a wireless cell-phone link.