Is the New Steering Wheel in the 2004 VUE a Change for the Better?

[Charlie]

Is the new steering wheel in the 2004 VUE a change for the better? At first, the new steering wheel design will reportedly be available in 2004 VUE V6 models only (both regular and Red Line versions). Should Saturn offer the same steering wheel design in all Saturn models? Post your thoughts!

http://www.saturnfans.com/images/header-04vue-dash.jpg

More pictures are posted here:
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showgallery.php3?cat=643

Charlie

[prosys001]

Nice I'm the first, I really like the new steering, it is a lot better than the last one, also like the new interior.

[swoker183]

i think it looks good. definatly a change for the better

[piney]

This is light years ahead of the old wheel.

[Nuke-Em]

I like it except for the huge-ass Saturn emblem in the center...but that's a minor gripe. I'd actually like to have that in my SC2. Wonder if it would fit...

Matt

[ProDarwin]

I had to go find another steering wheel pic from an earlier VUE to compare.

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php3?photo=1681&password=&sort=1&thecat=610

The new one is better, but to be honest, it think there are a million other things they should have concentrated on before that wheel. (MANUAL in the AWD, and MANUAL in the 6 Cylinder!).

[OhioVueBoy]

God yes it's better.. I want a thick rimmed wheel.. however, they need to offer it in the 4 cyl. versions as some of us do not want the Honda V6 in our cars.
~D.J.~

[XtremeGrandAm]

Defantly better. Its the only thing on the VUE that I didnt like at all. Because I didnt even like it on my 01 SC2 I'm glad its gone

[RustyJCNC]

Yeah, it's from the CTS. If Saturn keeps borrowing from Cadillac, I will be perfectly happy. I really like the direction this is going in....What kind of interior upgrades is the Redline Coupe getting?

-j

[03VUEAWDVTI]

Looks good to me as well. Too bad it's a V6 only thing.

[cary]

Looks much better. But, the horn buttons are still hard to find. I hope they are easier to press then the current ones.

[zborgerd]

I may be the odd-man-out, but that ghetto thing just screams "Pontiac" to me.

No wonder it looks like something from the Bat Mobile. CTS isn't exactly the most typical of designs. I still think that it looks more like a concept car than any production-grade vehicle.

Here's a look at grandpa CTS's wheel.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/images/autoreview/lrg/03122431990004LRG.jpg
http://www.saturnfans.com/images/header-04vue-dash.jpg

It's interesting, to say the least, but it seems to be missing the Nintendo controller on the spokes.

[Qlara]

At least the CTS wheel has half-wood in there. :D

It's certainly look better, but not an original design from Saturn. Just a quick parts-bin grep from Caddy's bin. If that's the trend, we may see a lot of familiar components like Seats, Dash, Console from other GM cars into Saturn later.

This is what we called: Re-Badged Engineering.

[fotovue]

Yeah- Maybe next we can get heads up displays from cadillac and buick, and Bose Stereo Systems. :D

I think i'll have to go hunting for a CTS steering wheel so I can have the wheel mounted radio controls and wood- I wonder how dificult that would be to switch out- :P

Probably way too much dificulty and $$$- Considering the airbag's built in, and I'd have to change the cadillac logo to the saturn one- Or maybe I should redo the exterior logos to say cadillac!!! :D

[silverblueL200]

I like it, are those the cruise buttons at the botton? I don't think I like those there.

[GR898SL2]

I'm with the majority that this is a step forward. I prefer the three-spoke to the two spoke design, though the nitpicker in me would have put the controls at three and nine o'clock instead. Someone in Saturn is finally listening. It's about time.:D

:flag:

[100KSW2]

Originally posted by Qlara
...This is what we called: Re-Badged Engineering.

Yeah it looks better, but the Saturn logo looks like a post it note stuck on there. Not a very well engineered Re-badging! Even for a display mock-up.

[VTHokie00SL2]

It's too angular, but still it's definitely a big improvement.

[eRic 02sc2]

that looks nice. now if they could put THAT in the ion...

[Aspenshuman]

Hello All,

I hate to say it, but I think I am one of the few that does not care for the new 2004 model. It may be that I am a little bias, as I have only had my 2003 Vue since Jan. Regardless, this is my 2nd Saturn and I definitely prefer the current design. The steering column is not bad ... but the bumper ... what where they thinking?? It almost had that mini van look going on ... need I say more??

Be kind ... this was my first post :cool:

[plane]

By golly, he's right about sticking the square Saturn Logo in the round Caddy hole.... Even so, that will be fixed for production. I like the idea of getting premium components in an afordable, high quality vehicle. And why not share the best and lower the costs? Saturn Rocks!

[Galileo]

The three spoke design is back at Saturn! I've had both the original three spoke wheel ('92 SL) and the current two spoke ('01 SC2) and I think the three spoke design is by far the better design. The two spoke wheel is too fat at the spokes and I'm always trying to grab the wheel at that point while turning and it makes for a poor grip. :cool:

[Alan eh?]

Never having had a Saturn before my 2002 VUE, I didn't "see" the steering wheel as coming from one of the other models and being a little dull, so I havn't minded it.

I do not like how difficult it is to use the horn however.

I do like the new steering wheel but I don't think I like the cruise controls being at the bottom of the whell rather than at the side, as they currently are and like they are on many other vehicles.

=Alan=

[SilverNickelQC]

I think its very innovative but i agree the cruise control should be at 3 and 9

[wolfman]

The new wheel adds ALOT apearance wise to the interior...and yes the cruise buttons should be on the sides not the bottom...now if they could just manage to get some functional cup holders for the driver and passenger worked into the interior it would be perfect....

[silverplum]

It's one heck of a stupid place to put the cruise control. Let's think about safety reasons here.