Taking on the Saturn Outlook

One of the most anticipated new vehicles around our office this year has been the Saturn Outlook. It might not be the sexiest of sports cars or manliest of SUVs, but this new version of the family-hauler is a hugely important vehicle for GM, and the first of a trio of nuevo minivans to come to market. While Joe Wiesenfelder was knee-deep in writing his review of the Outlook, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas took the Outlook out of the Cars.com garage and onto the Chicago streets to see if they agreed with Joe’s assessment. 

DT: You certainly notice the transmission lagging when you try to pass on the highway, but overall I don’t see why Joe devoted so much of his review to this single aspect of the Outlook. Perhaps his rant will actually get GM to fix the problem, but I don’t see it in any way influencing the shoppers who will be looking at the Outlook: large families.

KM: Transmission performance, accelerator lag, torque curve — for most buyers, it all adds up to one question: Is the Outlook quick enough? Those taken to large SUVs will say no, as it lacks the low-end grunt a V-8 delivers. But anyone used to a minivan’s get-up-and-go will come away satisfied. Once the Outlook’s 3.6-liter V-6 revs past its dowdy beginnings, the SUV scoots as well as any mom-mobile.

DT: Exactly. And with that out of the way you get to the important stuff, like all that seat and cargo space. I spent the first part of the ride jumping from the second-row captain’s chairs — quite comfy — to the third-­row seats. You don’t get a lot of leg or headroom back there, but most vehicles with a third row offer even less space, and at least these were relatively easy to get to. The fact that the third- and second-row seats fold completely flat is a major bonus. I also thought the standard rear doors opened wide enough for instant access and wouldn’t be a major step down from a minivan’s sliding doors. Of course, they’re not as convenient in tight parking spaces.

KM: My only reservation involves the second-row chair, which performs an origami-like rigmarole every time you slide it forward to access the third row. There are just too many moving parts. Think it will stand up to 120,000 miles of hyperactive kids shoving it around while they climb in back? Neither do I. Up front, Joe noted the Outlook’s upscale dashboard, which features high-quality textures and finishes, if not the best materials. It’s the stuff of GM’s large SUVs, like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, and it won lots of praise during our drive. Too bad the adherence to quality has yet to trickle down to midsize cars like the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6, whose interiors still leave much to be desired.

DT: I agree; the interior was definitely a step above most of GM’s lineup and several steps above its current minivans. The Outlook also has a good-looking exterior. I don’t know how they made such a big vehicle look so sculpted, but it looks good from every angle. It’s futuristic and handsome at the same time. I’d even take it in white.

KM: Those great looks will cost you, though. Even the base two-wheel-drive Outlook XE costs $28,000. A well-heeled version can exceed $40,000. That’s a lot of scratch for people used to spending thousands less for a minivan, if this is indeed GM’s answer to minivans. It begs one question: Would you rather have a modestly optioned Outlook XR or a loaded Honda Odyssey?

DT: That’s misleading. You can still option out an Odyssey for just under $40K, and there’s no AWD option. The Odyssey starts at $25,645 and the Outlook at $27,255. Your overall point of the Outlook costing more than everything in the minivan segment is valid, though. You’re paying for the better performance and packaging with the Saturn. That’s what a lot of people have been waiting for, and money isn’t an issue. That could potentially be a huge group of buyers no one has satisfied yet — think Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Freestyle shoppers. They want minivan utility with SUV looks. The Outlook offers that along with a better daily driving experience. 

Joe points to the smaller Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot SUVs as more of the Outlook’s competition, but because of its size I’d say the Saturn will draw buyers from both segments.

KM: Fair enough, though there are a handful of AWD minivans on the market. GM evidently hopes the crossover draws from the minivan and SUV crowds, because all indications suggest the General’s own minivans and midsize SUVs have been hung out to dry. Make no mistake: GM badly needs the Outlook and its siblings — the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave — to succeed. After driving the Outlook, I think the company has a fighting chance.

Comments

[daniel]

I love it! very sporty (in a way) and elegant, which is perfect for my family. It's just what we need right now as our 2001 tahoe has 220K on the odometer, I'd hate to see it go, but Im wanting something new. Great job GM!

[bowrider]

I'm debating on whether GM's minivan problems were a result of a poor design or a lack of demand for minivans. Regardless, this a good-looking SUV-minivan. What kind of name abbreviation or acronym will they come out with for this vehicle to capture its usefulness for marketing purposes? It's not an SUV, and SAV is taken. APV didn't work well in the '90s. MPV is taken as well. Maybe GM should go for "LMV" for low maintenance vehicle.

[alex]

i debating should i buy it a own a 2002 dodge carvan with 89,000 miles on it in i need a larger car by that price of 41,000 for xr to much

[Dave T.]

well you can get the 2WD version of the XE for under $30,000 with standard equipment.

Bowrider: I just hope we stick to no acronyms from now on. Crossover I don't like much but it seems to be more universally used now.

[Michael Karesh]

You can buy one for under 30, but a Ford Freestyle is considerably less expensive. What the Saturn has over the Ford is a more powerful, much more refined V6 and ten times the road presence. Will these be enough to handily outsell the Ford despite costing about $4,000 more in base trime and as much as $9,000 more when both are similarly loaded up?

Reliability is another question mark. This is an all-new vehicle with a new transmission.

I DON'T SEE WHY MANY WILL TRY TO GET SOMETHING THAT ISNT NEARLY ROOMY AS MINIVANS. I ASSURE YOU THAT THE THIRD ROW IN THESE TIGHT SUV'S ARE NOT MADE FOR COMPANY OVER 4-5 FEET. SUV'S FUEL ECONOMY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE MINIVANS AS ARE THE ROLLOVER RATINGS. THIS HAS A MORE PROMINANT STANCE. I ENJOY THE SHARP HEADLIGHT TREATMENT BUT NONE OF THIS IS ASKING FOR ATTENTION. THE INTERIOR IS FRESH WITH NICELY APPOINTED SEATS WITH A CONSERVATIVE DASH LAYOUT, A STEP ABOVE ANY PREVIOUS SATURN. IF THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ALREADY ON THE LINE, GM SHOULD BE CONSISTENT IN FIXING IT. ITS DISSATISFYING TO ALREADY KNOW THAT THE CAR ALREADY HAS POTENTIAL MECHANICAL ERRORS. I WOULD PERFER A MINIVAN DUE TO ITS FUNCTIONAL FEATURES AND ALL THAT LEGROOM. THIS COST A LITTLE MORE THAN THE ODYSSEY BUT IN TERMS OF RELIABILTY RECORDS, THE WINNER IS CLEAR. HAVE TO GIVE PROPS FOR SATURN GOING OUT THEIR WAY TO PRODUCING A CROSSOVER FOR THE ANTI-VAN CONSUMER.

why is there talk about transmission problems? This will be yet another reliable vehicle from GM hands down. Don't believe me? Check the records. I can think of the Silverado/Sierra and the Malibu (yeah, NOT the camry), and im sure there is more models.

[Rob]

Michael Karesh,

I implore you to sit in the new Saturn Outlook and be sure to sit in the very rear. You will be surprised at the leg room and comfort.

Also, please note it's EPA 26 mpg Hwy.

Also, lay off the caps ;)

[BubbaGump]

Michael.
The six speed in the new GM products is a learning transmission.(referred to as a clutch to clutch transmission, Like a manual transmission with a clutch between each gear set, one clicks off and the next one clicks on changing a mechanical gearset not using a planetary like old transmissions) It customizes itself to the driver over time. How it works is like this. While the engine computer is in the green engine breakin cal mode(which artificially alters the fuel curve richer to aid ring seat) Usually 500 miles the transmission is in its initial learn mode. I'll try to describe this simply. The shift points and crispness on these new transmissions is no longer controlled by a shift valve and a spring (the way it used to be) These new transmissions are shift controlled by a pulse width modulated valve that is altered by a clutch slip counter. It is always looking for the optimum slip ratio based on the load applied to it. So the base shift point in the cal may be 125 slip counts out of 255. if the vehicle is sold to an agressive driver then the clutches will typically see a slip count over 125 and the computer will constantly up the line pressure on that clutch until the counts come back in line.(every clutch has a learn value and a pwm shift valve) If the driver is docile then the transmission will lower the line pressure because the slip counter falls under 125 within the computer. Why is this done? this is so the transmission adjusts itself over the life of the vehicle as the transmission wears. It will also cause a shift hesitation if the vehicle goes from a docile driver to an agressive driver all the sudden. As the system settles in over the first 3000 miles this issue clears itself up. What its doing is actually learning the type of driver and their throttle behaviors. This is the reason you might be seeing hesitation especially if its a very low mileage test model. The green cal is why many magazines reviewing low mileage testers tend to see low fuel mileage also.
Hope this helps.
Bubba Gump

[BubbaGump]

Please pass that on to Wiesenfelder so he understands that this is not uncommon in many cars today that have full electronic learning transmissions and throttles. If it does not go away then he's got a legit beef.

[Joe W.]

Bubba's explanation is correct, but overkill. As mentioned in the more detailed section of the review, electronically controlled transmissions are now common. They bring many improvements and versatility. Learning transmissions also are more common than most people realize. I've been driving them for years; some of them map quickly to one's driving style, and others take longer. That's not what we're talking about here. This is a problem. The test vehicle had more than 500 miles on it, and I drove it for a week. As I mentioned, I suspect this is at least partly an issue of the programming -- likely a conservative shift program to maximize fuel economy. (And to Rob's post, Saturn is inconsistent in its mileage reporting, and the EPA has posted no official numbers yet. My Outlook came with a window sticker that said, boldly, 17/24 mpg. Good enough for me.)

Doubting Thomas' concern in his review of my review is, ironically, the perfect example of why my report focuses on the acceleration issue. The chaps drove for an hour or so, which is longer than the average test drive at a dealership. I'm frequently baffled by people who have major complaints about sometimes critical aspects of their car -- something as basic as how well they fit, how it rides or how quick it is -- that they could and should have learned during the test drive. Unfortunately, it happens. There's too much to pick up on in a short test drive. It isn't that large families won't care about this acceleration problem; it's that they won't notice what is a potentially dangerous hesitation. There's no buyer's remorse quite like that of a person who has paid $30,000 for a vehicle and then sees his life flash before his eyes while making what should be a mundane leap into moving traffic. The good part is that there may be a cure. In the old slush-boxes to which Gump refers, you'd be stuck with such behavior.

I've spoken to a few other people (older farts like me) who drove the Outlook, including a couple of fathers, and two of the three were as uncomfortable with the accelerator response as I. (And the third is an acknowledged doofus.) All I can say is now's the time for shoppers to recognize this. If it doesn't bother them, great. I've had a similar complaint about past vehicles, including one with an automatic whose hunting problem was worse than Dick Cheney's. People stared blankly. About a year later, one of the fan magazines complained about the same thing in their long-term test car, and the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation had logged many complaints from the poor folks who didn't notice the problem until they owned it. --JW

[Brad]

Isn't "a potentially dangerous hesitation" a little over the top? I didn't get the sense that my life was in any danger while driving the Outlook. It's a 5000lb SUV with a V6 that gets pretty decent fuel economy. If I was in the market for a performance vehicle, I wouldn't choose this, but for an SUV, I think it's a GREAT package.

[Jack]

What will they call it for marketing purposes? Uh, it's a crossover, an SUV, car, minivan combo.

[Thomas Fraser]

The Outlook looks like a great compromise for my fanily of 4 and a 105 lb labrador retriever. We live in Colorado, and with skis, bikes and camping stuff, the large storage capacity and roof rack options are appealing. My concern is that I am entirely comfortable with Toyotas and Hondas for reliabilty. Currently we have a Subaru Outback and a Volvo S60. These cars also seem very reliable. My problem is that I have no experience with Americand brands and have some reservations about their reliabilty. I've heard that Saturns are a "better breed"? Given the discussion about transmission/accleration lag, I'm concerned. 30 K is good money for a car that your wife will probably abuse anyway. Any thoughts?

[Stacy]

The transmission lag that he was so hung up on has already been corrected. It's a simple software update to recalibrate the transmission and takes about 30 minutes to have done at a dealership. I recently purchased the Outlook's sister car (GMC Acadia), and let me tell you this thing is amazing. Believe all the hype and rave reviews, this is quite possibly the best GM vehicle ever made! There have been a handful of other software upgrades you can get for the Outlook/Acadia. Read about all of them at http://www.acadiaforum.net

[Tom Fraser]

Thanks Stacy-Is the calibration something GMC will address or do I have to have it done? What's your take on American brand reliabilty/quality. Like I said, it will be my wive's and she'll probably abuse it...but, I don't want to be a participant in a recall.

[Stacy]

This is the first American car I've ever bought because so I wouldn't exactly call myself a fan. However, this thing has gotten such rave reviews that it was worth a test drive. I was absolutely floored. I kept muttering out loud, "this is a GM?!?" And with their new 100,000 mile warranty, I figured it was worth a try. Of course this is a first year vehicle on a new platform, so it's always a risk. The Transmission update is a "Technical Service Bulletin" which means not a recall, but if you are experiencing the problem, the dealership will perform the upgrade for free. You just have to ask for it, basically. HOwever, I think all vehicle sold after March 10th or so have the upgrade applied already.

[Mike Ostradick]

I have owned an Outlook XR FWD for about three weeks now. I'm very pleased with the vehicle with only one glaring exception - gas mileage. With it rated at 17 city and 26 or 28 hwy, I have struggled to get 14 city and 20 hwy. How do they come up with these mileage ratings??

The published mileage ratings of our previous vehicle, an Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan, were very similar to the published ratings of this Outlook. But the Silhouette actually operated very close to the published ratings.

With a 22 gallon tank, I can't even go 300 miles around town before I have to fill it up again. Very very disappointing.

We come from a GM family and waited for this vehicle to come out. I guess I'll make the most of it.

[V da Lopez!]

Well, do you have the car loaded up with everyone in in? the more weight=engine works harder=more juice needed=bitchy driver at the pump...try not to rev it up past 3000rpm and realise that you have a brand new car that hasn't been properly "broken in" yet so that has a factor to.

[JJ]

I have a 2WD Outlook with the same gas mileage problem. I mostly drive highway miles and have logged over 8K. At best trying to stay under 65mph, I can get 23 mpg. Around town it is 14 at the very best. My 5.4L F150 gets better mileage in town than the Outlook.

Its a really nice car (changing from Caravan and Pacifica) but they must have played with the rules to get those numbers on the sticker.

[Larry Vanover]

I bought a 2007 Outlook in January of this year. We are STILL struggling with the dealership over the mileage issue. We are both very docile drivers. My wife drives highway to and from work. Approximately thirty miles per day. We can't get better than 18 on the highway!! What's worse, is that the dealership here keeps dragging their feet trying to figure out the problem. I'm about ready to hire a lawyer!

[Dave T.]

Larry,
Do you guys have a full load of people and cargo in the Outlook most of the time, the a/c running etc? Those factors can lower your mileage. Also most cars do have a break in period of a few thousand miles before mileage ticks upward.

[Larry Vanover]

Empty except for my wife. We got the car in January, so we haven't needed the air conditioner. The Outlook has over 3,000 miles on it already. She drives it 15 miles to and 15 miles back frpm work everyday. All highway. 65 mph. No way it should be getting less than 18 mpg on the highway.

[Larry Vanover]

Well, the results are in. We switched Outlooks with the dealership and drove the exact same way we drive everyday and still got less than 18mpg on the highway. The dealership technician drove ours and got the same crappy mileage. When we asked him, "so what now?", he shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know." Ya gotta love corporations that take hard working people to the cleaners, because the hard working people can't afford to hire a lawyer to sue them.

[Dave T.]

Larry do you have a FWD or AWD? the adjusted 2008 EPA numbers which should be more realistic are :
16/24 for fwd combined 19 mpg
16/22 for awd combined 20 mpg.

Considering you're still in the break in period of the engine you're probably about right. 15 miles on the highway also isn't a long highway trip. is it during rush hour, heavy traffic?

[mark]

well - I am generally pleased with the car (it does look great) - we have the XR with all the options - very comfortable with only two up 100%of the time. But

throttle/gearbox lag - on light throttle openings it is as if the gbox cant figure which gear to be in - I had't realised there is a learning thing and will ask the dealer for the software upgrade. But also - the mileage - I am a light driver (and so is my wife) - overall I am getting 19.5, with around 16 town and maybe 23/24 on a run. The posted figures are way optimistic - customers need some help to tackle GM on this I think

[Questions]

Mark, why do you think you need to go after GM about the mileage statements? According to what you said, you are getting pretty much exactly what the vehicle is rated for. I would be willing to bet that the other people that aren't getting those kind of numbers are not easy on the go pedal like you. Also, the mileage numbers are not generated by the manufacturer, but instead are EPA estimates.

[mark]

err - good points I guess - I need to check the mileage next time I do a highway run. My feeling is that the estimate (and I take your point it is EPA not GM that do this) is based on some kind of average - and that I wasn't quite getting the average even in optimum conditions - anyway - I'll keep an eye on it and maybe get back with an update in a few weeks. By the way - got my first OnStar email report this week - that is pretty neat technology in my view.

[Gigi]

Does anyone have a problem with the gas gauge reading incorrectly?

I took my saturn outlook to the dealership two months ago, and they still have not resolved this issue.

Supposedly saturn is aware of it, and is working on a fix.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Sam]

I have had my Outlook for one week and I have some serious issues with my gas gauge. I stopped by the dealer today and got the feeling that they know that it is a common problem. I felt like they try to get you to think that it is "normal". Anything below 1/4 tank in mine is unreliable and will change on every start, sometimes reading two ticks higher than it did after an hour of driving around.

[Sherrell Latta]

My 2007 Saturn Outlook has transmission problems. It shifts back and forth continuously on the highway at any posted speed. The cruise control is virtually useless because it will shift, usually double shifts, to a lower gear at the slightest incline. The fuel mileage is consistently 20 MPH on the freeway and has never been higher than that. I don't know haw they ever got 26MPG out of it unless they rolled it down a long hill. In my opinion, 6 forward speeds is the problem and it will never get fixed. I have a GMC Sierra pick-up with a 4.8L V8, four speed which gets 20 MPG consistently. The cruise works great and it doesn't shift down excessively. If I had driven the Outlook for a long test drive on the highway, I would never have purchased it.

[David]

I purchased my 07 Outlook XE two weeks ago. During this time I drove it approximately 1200 miles and filled it up 4 times. I am also averaging 16 mpg. I am getting to use my 30day/1500 mile trade in policy in the morning. My Outlook was produced in March and had a couple of other issues that are being fixed under warranty. The gas cap tether came off of the gas cap door and the center das bin will not open. These problems are minor, so they did not bother me much. The gas mileage is my only major gripe with the vehicle. I get the same mileage out of my Trailblazer EXT. Let's hope Saturn sticks by their exchange policy and everything works out ok with one produced later in the year.

[tina]

i bought a saturn outlook 2007 two months ago and having issues with it.i am having water leaks from the hoses that run from sun roof.having the same feeling when i am driving that every body else is saying with the whole dragging feeling when it drives and dealership says i have to have a heavier foot to get the rpm up in the 2000.seems better but using allot more gas.also front department on dash board wont open.front drivers seat bumping when moved.wondering if my car was made in march also and thats why i am having all this trouble.any one else having same issues and answers??thanks

[dana]

Has anyone had any problems with feeling like the car is not going to stop? I had a load of groceries in the back and it feels like it is not going to stop and that is only going 40mph.
I also am having trouble with the shifting when it is on cruise control, it drops down and then all of a sudden takes off, scaring the daylights out of me on a busy highway.
Also, milage is terrible. They told me wait until it hits 10K then it will get better gas milage. Well, guess what, it doesn't! 15 around town and 17 down the highway. It is costing me more in gas then my car payment!

[Victor]

I am thinking about buying the Outlook or the Arcadia {GMC} but you guys are scaring me to death. Bad shifting, terrible gas mileage, poor stopping ability at as little as 40 miles per hour. That means if I am towing my boat or my popup I'll have to coast from destination to destination becuase anything over 30 mph will drink all the gas and never stop when needed. Man...whats a guy to do?

[Help]

Anyone else's odometer WAY off?

I had the acceleration hesitation issue, low gas mileage, and incorrect fuel gauge reading below 1/4 tank issues on my 07 outlook so had the reprogamming done at my first oil change.

The incorrect fuel guage issue has gone away, acceleration seems more normal, however when I went to calculate mile gas mileage, my odometer reads FAR HIGHER than is should. It's registers 3.14 miles for every legitimate mile (compared it against a gps on a long drive).

Anyone else?

[Jon]

I am not having any issues with the vehicle after 4 months of ownership. Lots of room, lots of creature comforts, no complaints. I am still amazed that my car is a SATURN. I traded a Lexus RX300 for it and the Saturn is a nicer ride and quieter.

[Heidi]

Hi , I am a very frustrated Saturn Outlook driver. My first problem started back in July. My husband, myself and our 3 young children were all driving back from a 10 hour family vaca when an hour from home we ran into a downpour on the turnpike. When my husband flicked on the windshield wipers they did one swipe, the light came on and they went dead!!!!! We were between a semi on our right and a car on our left- by the grace of God we got over onto the shoulder and waited for the rain to subside. We did make it home- VERY frustrated. We took it to the shop and turns out the problem was a loose bolt!! Now we have had the vehicle in the shop twice in two weeks because of a leak that is coming from the drivers seat belt area that is soaking the driver seat belt and is dripping from where the seat belt comes out. Twice they have tried to fix it- I am taking it back in today for the 3rd try. We also need a new pump of some kind because of a sharp humming noise when the vehicle is running. Any one else having similar problems or any advice?!?!?!?

[Louis Mitchell]

Best family vehicle I've ever owned. It fits every need and still allows me to be a man!

[hugh]

Heidi, where was the leak coming from, i have the same problem with my outlook, leaking from the drivers side seat belt holder, wierd.

[jeffery]

man I don't know if you all are just trying to convince everyone that the outlook has problems but i've had mine for 19,000 miles so far and I have had zero problems! I'm averaging 21mpg which is great for a 3 row CUV with the sunroof always open...it's a great car, you might have just bought the very first batch, they seemed to be fixed now.

[patrick]

I've also got a leak that developed after a heavy rain last week. same spot wet-the seat belt pillar! had it "fixed" this past weekend and it rained hard today. the leak is back and seemed worse. got it back in the service center now, we'll see. man i hope this doesn't become a chronic problem because i really am otherwise happy with the vehicle and the company. heidi, did they get yours straight on the 3rd try?

[Heidi]

my Outlook is now fixed with the leak issue (on the 3rd try) they had to rip out the whole roof panel though to fix it. have had it in 2 more times since then for more issues. I am hoping Jeff is right and the problems are all fixed in the latest batch. I like the comfort and feel of the Outlook, I am just hesitant all the time of what is going to go wrong next!

[Vanessa]

I'm seriously considering buying an Outlook, but am concerned by all these problems I see reported on a number of various websites and by many disgruntled customers. I am starting to see more reports of people being happy with the Outlook, however. I am curious if it depends on the trim/package thats purchased, manufacture date, etc.? Any ideas?

[patrick]

mine also seems to be fixed now with no leaks over two heavy rainstorms in the last couple of weeks. they too had to completely dismantle the entire roof panel and gut the sunroof drainage system and rebuild it with new hoses and marine sealant. all is well for now and we're happy with the outlook (no pun intended). it seems from what i've read and heard on many blogs, this leak problem was mostly on '07 models with the sunroof package and the best fix is for the service center to "replace the whole hose/drainage system". the first time they just reconnected the hose end that had come loose and sealed it there on mine. apparently because the hoses were too short it just pulled it out at the other end and a new leak developed. just a piece of advice to others with leaks... make them replace the hoses completely and look at the whole system. my service guy said he has worked on a couple now and found the hoses were too tight or short and were pulling out at the ends of the hoses.

[Bruce]

My family has been in a Minivan for the last 15 years and we are sick of it...we just purchased the Outlook and LOVE the feel of the SUV with the gas mileage of a Minivan. We also feel like we have a ton more room and the front seats are very roomy and confortable. I would recommend this car, so far, to potential "sick of the minivan" buyer.

[Kevin]

We have had our Outlook for just over two months and love it. We have had the Chrysler mini-vans and the Pacifica but our Outlook is by far the best driving, handling and comfortable vehicle under $40,000. My wife loves everything about it. We test drove the Cadillac SRX, Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX and Lexus RX 350, but decided the loaded Outlook was the only way to go. The value for your dollar can't be beat with the quality and conveniences you receive in this Saturn. Our friends can't believe it's a Saturn. So far, with only 3,000 miles, we couldn't be happier.

[No Minivans Please]

My wife is a mom-to-be so her BMW coupe had to go...after a dealer issue with a custom ordered Acadia, we discovered the Saturn. Wife loves the ride, the styling, and the space...and the second-row captains chairs slide back so little feet can't kick the front seats.

Braking is fine once you learn to apply the right pressure--not as strong as a BMW or Benz, but gets the job done. Gas mileage so-so, but no worse than our former Touareg (don't ask--awful car). At ~1150 miles it appears we have the a-pillar leak issue, but if this is the only problem, and it has a fix, we will still give thumbs-up.

[No Minivans Please]

My wife is a mom-to-be so her BMW coupe had to go...after a dealer issue with a custom ordered Acadia, we discovered the Saturn. Wife loves the ride, the styling, and the space...and the second-row captains chairs slide back so little feet can't kick the front seats.

Braking is fine once you learn to apply the right pressure--not as strong as a BMW or Benz, but gets the job done. Gas mileage so-so, but no worse than our former Touareg (don't ask--awful car). At ~1150 miles it appears we have the a-pillar leak issue, but if this is the only problem, and it has a fix, we will still give thumbs-up.

[Anne]

I bought my 2008 Outlook at the end of May. It's a great car -- it looks great, drives great and has ample room. The only problem I have experienced is with the navigation system. It's an upgraded disc, however, the directions are not 100% accurate. At the end of your trip it's off when providing the final directions and address. The dealer has recallibrated, run a software upgrade and made sure the zoning was correctly set for my location. I am waiting for an updated disc to come at the end of July early August.

[donna]

I bought the Saturn Outlook XR 08 in April. Love the look, was driving the mazda minivan. We have the sunroof, and had the leak problem.
Water was coming in all the airbags, ceiling lights, and even emergency brake pedal onto my foot.
So it's not just the 07's. After 2 trips to dealer, it seems to be fixed.
I'm seriously concerned with the gas mileage. I'm getting a consistent 13 mpg (mostly around town driving.) I've made conscience effort to do all the things I can, to bring this up, as far as driving habits. I love this car but this is not what I expected at all. I would have considered many other options had I known this was going to be. I have about 2000 miles on it so far.