Consumer Reports Praises New Saturn
General Motors’ decision to take its Saturn division off life support by giving it some viable new products is paying dividends.
Consumer Reports, which traditionally doesn't fawn over domestic vehicles, says the 2007 Saturn Outlook crossover is among the best models from GM in years and that it gives both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander a run for their money.
Consumer Reports’ August issue, which comes out today, includes a test of eight mid- and full-size crossovers and SUVs in which the Outlook scored a "very good" and ranked as the best domestic crossover and third-best crossover overall, behind the top-rated midsize Highlander Hybrid and Pilot. Rating it against full-size SUVs, the midsize Outlook was rated second best behind only the Mercedes-Benz GL450. The Outlook outscored the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Chevrolet Suburban.
"Outlook is the most competitive volume model from General Motors in years," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn.
The Outlook is the latest in a series of new Saturn offerings that includes the Sky roadster, the redesigned Vue crossover, it’s Vue Green Line hybrid version and the Aura sedan, which was named 2007 North American Car of the Year by automotive media.
The Outlook's high rating is especially good for GM because it is one of a trio of new midsize crossovers that includes the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The trio was brought to market as alternatives to low-mileage mid- and full-size SUVs and minivans. Car-based crossovers deliver better ride, handling and mileage than truck-based SUVs for a market that’s tired of watching gas prices skyrocket.
GM is betting that forecasts of crossovers as a growth market will prove true. Chevrolet is expected to add its own version of the midsize crossover in 2009 that will be built at the former Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tenn.
Consumer Reports cited as pluses the Outlook's agile handling, comfortable ride and third-row seat, which it said is roomy enough for three adults and folds flat when more cargo room is needed.
Editor’s note: Veteran auto writer Jim Mateja is joining the KickingTires team as a contributor. Jim has decades of experience as an auto writer and has a distinct voice, a huge base of knowledge and a wealth of experience. This is his first post.
Related
More Saturn News (KickingTires)
2007 Saturn Outlook Review (Cars.com)
Cars.comparison: Three-Row Crossovers (Cars.com)
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What a treat. I'm looking forward to more posts. I have enjoyed Jim Mateja's well written articles for the past fifteen years. I'm glad Cars.com is featuring this great writer.
Hell yeah, it's about time CR gave my domestics some love!
Only reason CR likes the Outlook is because it has Euro roots. Both Ford and GM are making much better vehicles now (compared to 5+ years ago) but CR still praises the Japanese and German models. CR has a major bias against everything Detroit. CR is crap. No wonder why I don't waste my time with CR.
Only reason CR likes the Outlook is because it has Euro roots. Both Ford and GM are making much better vehicles now (compared to 5+ years ago) but CR still praises the Japanese and German models. CR has a major bias against everything Detroit. CR is crap. No wonder why I don't waste my time with CR.
come on... CR only bashes domestics these days is because they still produce some crappy cars. You gotta give them credit for praising the Outlook, so that shows that they aren't biased. Would they have praised the Outlook if they were?
woops... I mean Acadia, not Outlook, I was going through my office mail when I was posting... sorry, lol.
The Outlook has no Euro roots. You may be thinking of the Saturn Vue.
Yeah, and the Saturn Vue's "Euro roots" are actually South Korean. The basis for the new Vue was actually developed by GM Daewoo (it sells as the Winstorm here in Korea).
Actually CR usually gives very high marks to Buick and (in the past) Oldsmobile. It has to do with their readership. To submit data to CR you must be a member of their organization. So they have lots of data on "mainstream" cars but are a very shakey on "performance varients" of cars.
They had very little data on the first WRX and they won't make a statement on SRT Dodges.
And I think they've been kind of harsh on VW lately.