NOTE: Pricing based on data collected August 2009. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
Saturn introduced the Vue Hybrid in model year 2007 and only offers it as a two-wheel-drive (2WD) model. The midsize SUV seats five people and gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg. Indeed, even though General Motors calls this vehicle a hybrid, it is in actuality a conventional vehicle with a hybrid label—something we call a “hollow hybrid”. The Vue Hybrid’s emissions reductions are primarily derived from its idle-off operation and aerodynamic improvements. It cannot run on the electric motor only.
Environmental Score
As we noted when the “Greenline Vue”—the first title for the Vue Hybrid—was released in 2007, we would applaud General Motors if they had made these improvements standard to all Vue models. The 2009 Vue Hybrid continues to make excellent strides with conventional tweaks, gaining a 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions—nearly twice the global warming emissions reductions as Saturn’s other hybrid offering, the Aura Hybrid. This is partly explained by Saturn making some aerodynamic improvements over the conventional Vue, including lowering the vehicle. Looking at the Vue Hybrid within the hybrid market, however, it compares unfavorably with other compact SUVs such as the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid, which both get a 28 percent reduction in global warming emissions. The smog-forming emissions performance of the Vue Hybrid is below average for hybrids, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 7. These two factors give the Vue Hybrid an Environmental Score of 5.1. The Vue Hybrid is more a story proving that automakers can give consumers far more fuel-efficient options even with conventional technologies than it is a hybrid success story.
Scorecard Environmental Score methodology
Hybrid Value
Compounding the relatively small 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions is that Saturn is charging a relatively hefty $4,880 for the “hybrid” system in the Vue Hybrid. This gives the Vue Hybrid a Hybrid Value rating in the “Low” range. Even though its environmental performance is far better than the Aura Hybrid, the high cost of hybridization prevents the Vue Hybrid from having a higher hybrid value.
Scorecard hybrid value methodology
Forced Features
Saturn is offering the Vue Hybrid with virtually no forced features compared with the standard features on the conventional Vue, earning it a Forced Features rating of “none.” The only extra features on the Vue Hybrid are front and rear floor mats.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
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Additional Info
Visit the Who’s Got Hybrids section to read comments and stories from actual hybrid owners.
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