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Stephen Johnson, sales manager at Saturn of Jackson, said his dealership on Friday received its first 2008 Vue Green Line, a hybrid SUV. A customer came in Saturday morning, bought the vehicle and left him wishing he could get more. "It wasn't even on the lot 24 hours. The demand is real high on them. I've got a list of customers waiting on those trucks. I'll take every one I can get," Johnson said. His employees don't have to steer customers toward hybrids. "They know more about them than we do...

Over the river and through the woods... that's the way to grandma's house. But in addition to knowing the way, you need to get there with the kids, with all their stuff, safely and affordably. And it wouldn't hurt to consider the environment and save some gas.

It may still be a straightforward compact SUV, but thanks to the Opelization of Saturn, the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid looks far better than its predecessor — with a more refined, European styling direction than its competitors, particularly the block-like Ford Escape. The rubber fits the wheel wells, all the handles feel solid and even the hybrid badges, which use the same circuit board motif as those found on other, more-garishly festooned GM hybrids, are in-proportion and appropriate...

Saturn delivers the re-designed 2008 Vue, a compact five-passenger crossover utility vehicle targeted at the sales leaders in the category: the CR-V and RAV-4. But it also shows plenty of muscle against the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Ford Escape. All of these car-based vehicles — essentially tall station wagons — are similar in size, passenger accommodations and cargo space. They have a variety of models with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and they have sticker price...

The optional leather seats looked and felt exceptional. Interior noise was minimal, giving a premium ambience. Some road surfaces sent up a distant roar from the tires, but if you look hard enough, you can find roads that cause that, even on luxury models. No demerits there. GM's unusually long 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and free trial subscriptions to XM radio and the OnStar communications system all are nice frosting.

The auto insurance company that covers a Warren truck driver - or possibly the Atlanta, Georgia hauler for whom he works - likely will be hearing from the Michigan Department of Transportation after he forgot to lower the center platform of his car-hauling trailer Wednesday, scraping a new Saturn Vue under the Saginaw Street bridge over I-69.

Saturn, which for years has pushed plastic-paneled people movers that resisted dents but had all the driving excitement of automotive Tupperware, is on a roll. Vehicles that are rewarding to drive, such as the Sky roadster, Aura sedan and Outlook crossover SUV, have transformed the brand over the past year-and-a-half. And surprisingly, the 2008 Vue trumps them all.

The first generation Vue was the quintessential Saturn crossover vehicle with its dent-resistant plastic body panels, space frame construction, large instruments and Spring Hill, Tenn., manufacturing site. As good as it was, the Vue never quite reached the levels of refinement expected from owners of Hondas, Toyotas and even Fords. As with the 2008 Saturn Astra, Aura, and Outlook, the all-new Vue is a revolution in design, quality and on-road dynamics. And there are good reasons why.

During the test week, the Vue's design received favorable comments. An aggressive front fascia, accentuated fender flares and simulated air vents on the front fenders provide a muscular appearance. The Green Line is differentiated from its siblings by a slightly lower stance and hybrid badging. The hybrid system combines an electric motor/generator with the gas engine, and power goes to the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. Saturn engineers have mini...

The Saturn Vue Hybrid is a good choice for a family vehicle that balances fuel economy and utility. This five-passenger, "one mode" hybrid shuts off the four-cylinder gasoline engine at traffic stops, gives a boost of power on acceleration through electric motors and uses regenerative braking to channel kinetic energy back to the hybrid battery. But it can't be driven under battery power alone. This generation of the Vue is a vast improvement over earlier ones. The cabin is comfortable, with dur...

A week with the new Vue helps explain the popularity of these vehicles and also explains why - perhaps you have heard - Saturn's star seems to be rising again, thanks to a showroom filled with fresh product. The new Vue looks cleaner and more contemporary than its predecessor, and it does everything right, delivering a quiet and comfortable, though occasionally choppy ride. Handling is competent and acceleration is brisk - the latter at least with the 257 hp V6 engine in the tester.

From OttawaCitizen.com: Lost in the explosion that has been Saturn's model proliferation in the last 24 months, I took little notice of the new Vue compact sport-utility. Though I was quite enamored of the previous generation for its bargain price and excellent, supplied-by-Honda powertrain, I was far more seduced by the Sky roadster, Aura sedan and, especially, the Astra subcompact. So, despite enticing photos of the Vue's European sibling - the Opel Antera - I paid little attention to what ...

I drove this second-generation Vue — the first was launched in 2002 — compact crossover from Saturn for the first time early last year when it was launched and quite liked it, after an initially short acquaintance. Spending a full week with it recently confirmed my earlier view. Performance is certainly one area in which the XR shines. It gets the better of the two V-6s offered, the all-alloy, variable valve timing, 3.6-litre unit that puts out 252 horsepower and 241 lb-ft of torque that's m...

The Saturn Vue cross/utility vehicle undergoes an impressive metamorphosis as it emerges from its chrysalis as an all-new for '08 model. The result is worth the wait: a CUV that delights the senses, from its striking good looks to its fun-to-drive quotient

GM's Saturn line has another winner in its compact crossover Vue. The 2008 model is peppier and more upscale than ever. Check it out before buying a Honda CR-V or Toyota Rav4.