Once you realize that you don’t need a broad-shouldered SUV for 99% of your daily duties, a world of possibilities opens. For harmonized style, utility and frugality, small SUVs manage to save face while saving gas during your treks. Two solid choices in the guilt-free segment are the Saturn Vue and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Saturn is to General Motors what your fiercely independent cousin is to the rest of the family. If you didn’t know otherwise, you’d swear there’s no shared DNA. So when Saturn brought forth their Vue SUV in 2002, the logical (and correct) assumption was this entry in the “me too” market wouldn’t sequaciously plod the same path. Rather, this crossover pioneer was built for the way people really drive SUVs, not the way we see in commercials. For 2008, the Vue gets better-looking inside and out with a redesign.
The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe is showing off its redesign for this model year. Outside, the design is safe and takes no chances. What it loses in individuality it gains in aesthetics; it’s a vast improvement over the curves-in-all-the-wrong-places look of the previous model. Looks notwithstanding, the Santa Fe’s ruggedness still doesn’t extend far beyond the name. Like the Vue, it doesn’t need to. Introduced in 2001 on a modified Sonata sedan chassis, it targets city folk whose most challenging driving conquests are squeezing into parallel parking spaces while juggling a latte and a phone.
So one SUV still dares to be different, while another wades into the mainstream. Which is better? We evaluated each based on weighted criteria and scored them relative to the vehicle class. The absolute perfect small SUV would score 100 points. Can either come close? Read on...
Saturn Vue XR
MSRP (Base): $26,270Engine: 3.6-liter V6
Horsepower: 245 @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 243 @ 4,800 rpm
MPG: City: 20; Highway: 25
Performance - 10/20
The previous Vue was only marginally exciting if you stepped up to the odd-to-be-offered Red Line trim. This isn’t being offered right away on the ’08 (it’s coming later along with a Green Line hybrid), and we can’t say it’s sorely missed. The new Vue doesn’t drive like the old Red Line, but it does go about its business with efficient capability. While we didn’t have the chance to hook up testing gear, estimated 0 to 60 times should be in the 7.5 second range. The optional 3.6-liter V6 -- one of two available six-cylinder mills -- would feel more robust if the Vue didn’t weigh in at 4,300 pounds in all-wheel drive trim. However, the tester’s six-speed automatic did help make the most of the power-to-weight ratio. A four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic is available, but be prepared to get passed by senior citizens on scooters. Steering and braking feel are acceptable but not razor-sharp, even in this class. The same goes for ride quality, which absorbs most bumps without unsettling drama. For everyday driving, few owners will gripe.
Exterior design - 13/20
Styling wasn’t all that bad to begin with, though we always had issues with the last Vue’s tiny grille and centralized lights that gave a cross-eyed look. Saturn has penned in some more European influence this time around. That’s hardly surprising, since the new Vue is only a few badges removed from the Opel Antara. It still comes off as an individual while looking fresh with a high beltline, a tapered roofline and more substantial D-pillars.
Interior design - 7/10
In case you need affirmation of Saturn’s place versus Cadillac’s in GM’s food chain, step inside the Vue. Not awash in luxury, but considering the price range and the intended mission, it’s not out of its league either. Fit and finish have been embarrassing on past Saturns, but we’re pleased to see improvement. The Opel connection is addressing this. The available two-tone leather and other surfaces avoid feeling desperately cheap. Most passengers will not hate you after a ride in the rear seats (second row only; no third row is offered, which is just as well). What keeps the Vue from scoring even higher is the compromised cargo room. Like the previous Vue, emphasis is on passenger room so it’s not a huge surprise (although the fold-flat front passenger seat is a nice touch). Still, Saturn could have struck a better compromise without such a high load floor.
Sound system/goodies - 6/10
An acceptable level of standard equipment is found within, and the sound system is just that: acceptable. The six-speaker package includes an input jack, redundant steering wheel controls and an optional amp. Its speed-sensitive volume remains annoying, though. Compared with other systems, it’s slower to react and then overreacts. In stop-and-go traffic, it’s maddening. Otherwise, the Vue is well-equipped and has a competitive list of standard features for the price.
Bang for the buck - 15/20
Given the new looks, acceptable powertrain and competitive features, the ’08 Vue is squarely positioned against competitors. No longer is it just a choice for those who want something a little different; it’s a choice for anyone looking for a good value among crossover SUVs.
Driving experience - 12/20
Day-to-day commuting and schlepping may not do much for your pulse, and neither will the Vue. That’s not necessarily a negative, since it responds to your inputs without much fuss. And in its redesigned form for ’08, the driving experience is a little sharper. Skip the wheezy four-cylinder for one of the two V6s and you’ll have a pleasant-behaving vehicle.
Overall score - 63/100
It’s not the best, but it is better than before. With sharper duds to show off, the 2008 Saturn Vue works well in everyday life and looks nice doing it. The Saturn faithful should be pleased, and this might even attract a few import shoppers.
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
MSRP (Base): $25,845Engine: 3.3-liter V6
Horsepower: 242 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 226 @ 4,500 rpm
MPG: City: 19; Highway: 24
Performance - 11/20
If you’re willing to listen to some harshness at higher rpm, you can exploit the engine’s power and have a little fun. The rest of the time, you won’t experience life-altering thrills but at least you won’t fall behind in traffic. It takes about 7.3 seconds to get to 60 mph from a standstill when equipped with the five-speed automatic (depending on trim level, a five-speed manual is offered, though frequently declined by buyers). Steering and braking, as in the Vue, are adequate in performance and feedback, but that’s about all. The ride feel is fine, but it may have come at the price of handling. Get a little too aggressive in corners and the Santa Fe’s body roll puts you perilously close to being featured on Dateline.
Exterior design - 15/20
If the Saturn went from OK to a little more OK, this Hyundai went from goofy to handsome. Maybe too many unflattering “cute ute” comments were leveled on the Santa Fe. This look, new for ’07, is much more likeable (if also more mainstream). It grew in the process as well, but the design still looks trim. No longer is the Santa Fe built on the Sonata’s chassis; in fact, its platform is unique to the model. That’s an expensive proposition, but designers were free to do their thing without the typical limitations of a shared chassis.
Interior design - 6/10
Along with the new face, the cabin was also treated to updates, most of them for the better. We’ll get our biggest beef out of the way now, and that’s the option of third-row seating. It really cuts into cargo room even when folded, and it’s utterly useless for anyone larger than Barbie and Ken. That said, the rest of the interior may be a tad bland, but it’s well-designed and appointed. Material feel plus fit and finish rank very well, and the cabin is vault-quiet on the road. Passengers will be comfortable on road trips, without feeling claustrophobic -- so long as they don’t venture past the second row of seats.
Sound system/goodies - 6/10
Hyundais of the past didn’t utter “cheap,” they shouted it. That’s a thing of the past, and the Santa Fe doesn’t undo the company’s progress. The standard six-speaker system doesn’t offer an input jack, though it does feature redundant controls on the wheel and to second-row passengers as an option. It also treats them to available DVD entertainment.
Bang for the buck - 15/20
The Santa Fe drives decently and seems sufficiently screwed together for the asking price. Hyundai wants to keep it that way with a generous warranty, highlighted by 60 months or 60,000 miles on the basics; 120 months or 100,000 miles on the powertrain.
Driving experience - 12/20
When your life consists of a lot of pavement-thumping, kid-hauling and maybe the very occasional lousy road, the Santa Fe is up to the challenge. With its redesign, it performs better with much higher levels of refinement throughout.
Overall score - 65/100
A tidied-up exterior and interior helped the Santa Fe’s cause a great deal. What hasn’t changed is the personality: easy to live with, roomy without having to devote regular blocks of time refilling the gas tank and a superior warranty.
and the winner is…
It wasn’t a runaway contest. It wasn’t even a unanimous decision. Had we conducted this test a year ago, it would be a different story. The last Santa Fe was so-so to drive and unpleasant to be seen in. Hyundai has improved upon the so-so and made big advances in their small SUV’s looks. For 2008, Saturn is doing the same with their Vue. Both are better vehicles for the changes, but the Santa Fe edges out the close win. It’s not the life of the party, but it can easily become a part of your life.Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.saturn.com/
http://www.caranddriver.com/
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/
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