Walking Around the 2007 Saturn Outlook

One bummer of our day with GM’s new 2007 lineup was not being able to drive the new Saturn Outlook. The eight-passenger — via an available second-row bench seat — crossover is GM’s attempt to lure large families who are tired of sub-par SUV gas mileage but don’t want to be seen in a minivan. 

Comments

I’m 29 years old, and currently still drive my 98 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited (black with the chrome bumpers, still running strong and loving it) and I do not usually comment on GM vehicles, mostly due to the fact that I don’t have anything good to say. However, this Outlook looks very nice. I like the roominess, but I could care less about the 3rd row of seats, I’ll most likely have my subwoofer and amp back their anyway. I believe utility is more important than the third row of seats in a SUV. How come you guys didn’t take any pictures of the seats in the Outlook, especially the back cargo area? Also, do you know when the Buick version is coming out? I can’t believe I just said the word “Buick”, but I saw the concept Enclave and it looks very appealing to someone like me right now. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old?

Yeah, I'll agree with that. Too bad it's taken Saturn about 10 year to pull their sh!t together. Why it took so freaking long is amazing.

Good to see that GM has learned some lessons in the past few years... this looks like a solid piece of engineering, and will attract a few customers who would have normally bought Honda Pilots, Toyota Highlanders, etc. I feel GM needs to apply this new approach to practically all new vehicles, and making them ultra-reliable would really turn the tide for the General. My only complaint with this car is the steering wheel, which will contribute greatly to a "deja-vu" factor that has long plagued GM vehicles across the board, but the good thing is that most of the shared components are now highly desirable, with excellent finish.

Very nice looking truck. Mileage could be better.

I am not normally a large SUV fan, generally I prefer smaller SUVs or station wagons. This new SATURN however suprises me in the fact that I find it quite appealing. Perhaps it's because I have such high regard for the SATURN organization.

The new SATURNS popping up in recent months are products which appear to match the high quality of SATURN people. Have you seen the new AURA? Wow!

What a joke! Like GM needs yet another SUV. A jumbo size one at that. What does everyone have against minivans that get the same kind of mileage and hold even more for a cheaper price? As for it being a "Saturn", all that means is the semi-independent, intelligent company that once claimed to be taking on the foreign imports is now truly dead. GM killed Oldsmobile and brought in Sautrn in its place. So now they can shovel as much of they're regular stuff through yet another indentical dealer chain. Just with a different sticker on the nose. How about giving the GM Brands some independence and personality? Maybe they could excel if they weren't held back and forced to keep in line with the mothership.

N Holzhauer
This is not an SUV per se it is a "Crossover" meaning built on a car platform. It is the same concept as the Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle etc. It also ges roughly the same mileage as most minivans. And as sales have shown no one does want a GM minivan. Or ford for that matter.

I can't believe I'm posting here as most people who do are complete morons. Is there anybody here who follows the automotive industry in any way?

Wade,
A lot of our readers are just car shoppers using the main Cars.com web site to research a car they're thinking of buying. Part of the goal of the blog is to help educate so the car buying experience isn't as intimidating and to turn people on to new models and what to expect. We're trying to cut out a lot of the "industry" speak actually too. I'm glad though that you're still reading evne if it isn't aimed at the enthusiast!

Thanks, Dave. I missed the crossover bit early on. With the look of the thing and frequent mention of SUVs I must have missed it. I do appreciate cars.com running these blogs to give consumers an inside look, even if there is often little to be enthusiastic about.

I am aware of the crossover segment, and once considered myself a potential buyer for such a product. The ones produced to date, however, seem to sway far too close to the SUV range (in look and capability if not actual guts) and not offer nearly the functionality of minivans or the simplicity of wagons. Their mileage has been nothing to excite me either.

As for customers not wanting a GM minivan, perhaps it's because GM isn't trying that hard. The articles on this very site have acknowledged that the heart of current GM minivans is very old automotive technology. There is also a review of the Kia minivan from just the other day which rated it the best choice for consumers. Kia was was barely a footnote in the U.S. market 10 years ago! Should unwinnable fights be pursued at all costs? No, but if you're going to let a perfectly good market segment go, please offer a strong, convincing replacement.

Perhaps that's what the Outlook is, but from this first look it seems like another unispiring design that GM has foisted on what used to be "A different kind of company."

This is a great move for GM. GM is going to be replacing the aging Trailblazer/ Envoy/ Ranier with these new crossovers so they are not adding another SUV as stated by N Holzhauer. Just changing the market mix. Poor information like that is what is killing GM.

I agree with Crazy Frog on the deja-vu steering wheel. Otherwise this interior is nearly equal to my Pacifica. One thing they improved on is the location of the console shifter. If you're not going to have a column shift or a stubby Mercedes/BMW thing at least shove that shifter over to the side to make room for cup holders. Good job! The shifter in my 2004 Pacifica hogs up a ton of space and the newer ones have that silly gated design.

this is not even close to a pacifica...nor does the interior look like it either..

I've been very critical of GM's vision over the years, designing various vehicles that have been uninspiring to consumers, but from the prelim info/pics, the Outlook appears to be thoughtful creation.

For the individual that mentioned "this is not even close to a Pacifica...nor does the interior look like it either...” I've driven a Pacifica (nice vehicle), and after revisiting the link, I really don't see any extra refinement, unless some cheap black plastic is your idea of an upscale interior.

http://www.chrysler.com/pacifica/features/exterior_photos/index.html

drive the SUV or crossover before you judge it! huge power great gas mileage, the only compliant, the Trans searches for the right gear too much! overall a very good car and i hate GM products.

I think this is a great vehicle. We currently have a minivan, but now are looking at something that can fit the amount of people we need, have the space we need, as well as having the ability to tow. A very good job well done, SATURN!!

This is a great SUV damn it. I saw the GMC Acadia version at the car show. Looks like these are solidly built and can compete with the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and even the Acura MDX. Sure, Consumer's Reports rates the Highlander, Pilot, Lexus RX350, and Acura MDX high. What many don't know is that these Japanese SUVs are built using recycled steel and cheaper chassis. Ever see a Honda in a bad accident? I have seen a few Accords broken in two, which shows you how cheaply made they really are.

In my opinion, German cars (VW, BMW, Audi, Mercedes) are the most solid, safe cars/SUVs. Next come American cars/SUVs (GM), then Japanese cars. If you can't afford German cars/suvs, go with American.

Problems with Saturn 2007 Outlook

I live 54 miles away from dealership and purchased this vehicle for my wife. She is pregnant with our first child and wanted a dependable vehicle. We purchased the vehicle on December 30, 2006 at Saturn of Huntsville, AL. We were told this was the first Outlook sold in North Alabama; this is where we should have walked away!

We have taken vehicle in to the dealership on numerous occasions and heard the entire spectrum of excuses. We have spoken with the dealership’s General Manager, Sales Manager, Service Manager, service representative at the front desk and even some regional service person with still nothing resolved.

The past 7 months we’ve has asked the service department to look at the following problems:
• Battery Saver Light on dash – (3 separate occasion after the dealership has reported the problem was corrected)
• Pieces of the rook railing system coming off while driving – (3 separate occasions, after the dealership has reported the problem was corrected)
• Transmission shifting hard while accelerating – (I don’t believe the dealership can even give an explanation).
• Driver side interior door panel has come loose from the door frame. (dealership is looking at the problem now)

I believe all totaling 7 trips into Huntsville fixing problems and still counting, this is all within 7 months.

All we tried to get was a dependable vehicle. It looks like we could have achieved this since the vehicle cost exceeded $36,000 and brand new, even off the showroom floor. In moving forward, we are just trying to get a dependable vehicle or our money back. In hindsight the extend warranty was the best money I could have spent.

Does anyone know of someone higher up the food chain we could speak with at corporate headquarters or how to proceed? We have almost reached a point to contact a lawyer.

If anyone from Saturn Corporation reads this posting please help. You can get our information from your on company internal computer system. We have called and written several complaints.

Thank you for the above solid info, especially from Jeramy E. as an actual owner. I am currently looking at possibly purchasing the 07 Outlook. One of my concerns was the rough tranny shift at some times during the test drive, especially when excellerating onto the freeway. It sounds like there is validation for my concerns. My other concern was that you cannot always see your speedometer because of the steering wheel, depending on where it's adjusted. I am wondering if that was the reason for the steering wheel comments above. I also noticed a piece of interior trim (2nd row on floor by door) looked loose and may eventually come off. Other than these problems, I've loved what I've seen about the car, and the gas mileage was superb. If there are any other current owners out there, I'd love more feedback.

I have a GMC Acadia similar to the Outlook. Its been a nightmare run away do not purchase this vehicle. Its nothing but problems. I have had two now the first month I bought one just in June of 2007 it broke down 25 minutes after owning it the check engine light came on and it wouldn't start or move. Waited for almost an hour and it finally started so we could get it home. Took it in for service the next day didn't see it for 2 weeks after they said it needed and input valve. Got it back now it shuts off making right turns while I am driving pulling out on a highway and it shuts off. Brought it back to GM demanded a replacement car and that was fine till it hit around 6900km then it started to shut off making rights as well and make a clunk sound while it shut off happen a week after these so called software upgrades which made the car worse then ever before,now that car is back at GM waiting for the mechanic to get back from holidays. We want our money back and we told them we will contact a lawyer this car is death trap like playing russian roulette with my kids everytime I drive it. Please email me if anyone has any trouble with the Acadia or the Outlook. I will be going to the media if this doesn't get resolved.

sorry to hear about your bad experience with the Acadia. I sat in the Enclave and never experienced and of the hard shifting. IT is a 2008 model, and GM gave the 2008's a software update to keep the transmission from "gear hunting" all of the time like it used to on 07 Outlooks.

Additon to Gig's post:

Japanese cars just dont hold up in accidents. My mother's disaster of a Rav4 was in the shop for 6 months...yes, six...after she was in an accidten where she was going 10 mph and the other car was going 30. It wasnt even a full, head on collision. it was more of an offset where she scraped the other guy's side (ok, it was snowing etc, this is Chicago...). Still, it caused a chain reaction the basicly destroyed the whole mechanical heart of the vehicle. On top of that, shes having a boat load of electircal problems. I told her to scrap it once the VW Tiagun comes out, and hopefully it wont lose as much value as I think its going to.

That Saturn is a huge leap forward for the company. Remeber the Ion (finally killed, good riddance). It was like driving a gaint toy car. the inside was basicly all plastic that was flimsy hard, and very unattractive. Couple that with a really bad engine, a horrible ride, a 4 speed automatic, and some really bad crash test scores, and you have the worst car ever produced. This Outlook though, has a very nice incide with minimal cheap plastics like in the Ion (and even to an extent in the Aura). Their well assembled interiors continues on in the brand new Vue.

We bought a 2007 Saturn Outlook XR from Saturn Of El Paso Texas in December 2007.The vehicle has all the bells and whistles. Beautiful vehicle: IF WE CAN KEEP IT OUT OF THE SHOP.BEWARE CONSUMER!THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.It has been in the shop 7 times and the techs can not duplicate the problems.When it rains it pours,literally.The inside cabin had a big wet spot by the passenger door when it was raining.The problems all started when the vehicle seemed to get its wiring shorted out.The car has had 4 batteries replaced in 11 months, the hatch back opens and close itself,the driver instrument panel gets very bright for about 10 seconds then goes back to normal,the car locks itself.The gps has been replaced once.The vehicle has failed to start 4 times.The transmission whines while driving and shifts very hard when accelerating.These are just a few of the problems.Customer support has been and still is a nightmare.The vehicle has been in the shop for 3 weeks and finally they are telling me an engineer will be flying to the dealership to look at the vehicle but the GM specialist does not have a specific date? We are going on a month with out a loner vehicle or our own vehicle which we are paying an arm and a leg for.
I SMELL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

I purchased a 2008 GMC Acadia a few months ago and I've been having issues with the "check engine" light repeatedly coming on. This wouldn't bother me so much, but when this light comes on, it also disables the Stabilitrak system. I've had it into the dealership 3 times now and nothing has worked to prevent this from continuing to happen. According to my Service Manager, this is a recurring issue with the Acadias and service bulletins have been sent out by GM on how to address this problem. The first "fix" was to do a fuel injector cleaning on the engine, on a car with less than 10,000 miles on it. This did not fix the problem. Now I'm about to take it in again for some test that GM has recommended the dealer run to see if they can isolate the cause of the problem. I'm skeptical, but I'm willing to spend another two hours of my life in the lounge to see what happens. If this doesn't work, I'm seriously thinking about asking for my money back under OH Lemon Law. Hopefully it won't come to that though.