Let’s move upmarket: GM hikes Saturn Vue base price up by $3,295

If you’re looking to buy the new 2008 Saturn Vue, keep in mind that the new Vue will cost $3,295 higher than the outgoing model. The new redesigned and re-engineered 2008 Saturn Vue will start at a base price of $21,395.

“Keep in mind that the previous model had a smaller four-cylinder engine with a manual transmission,” Robert Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer for General Motors’ compact crossover vehicles, told Automotive News.

The base 2008 Staurn Vue XE FWD model is fitted with a 2.4 liter engine that produces 164 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive Vue XE models come equipped with a 3.5 liter V6 engine produce 215 horsepower while the Vue XR and Vue Red Line come with a 3.6 liter V6 VVT that delivers 250 horsepower. Saturn will also continue to offer the Green Line hybrid version of the Vue, beginning later in the 2008 model year.

“They are trying to move Saturn upmarket. They really want to take it out of that kind of low end of the spectrum,” Erich Merkle, director of forecasting at IRN Inc., told Automotive News. “But the question remains: Is the market ready to make that leap with them?”
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jt716 - 4/30/2007 10:25:37 AM

+2 Boost

I find it looks weird..hm

S4cabriofoxone - 4/30/2007 10:59:50 AM

+3 Boost

Woah. Not a good move. They should've kept it under $20K- if it wants to be a CR-V/RAV4 competitor, and a legitimate one at that, it has to be a good car for a low price before they can move upmarket... the old one doesn't have the best reputation.

MookGmbH - 4/30/2007 2:34:10 PM

+1 Boost

Its an Opel. Imported, rebadged, federalized, etc... No wonder it cost more.

aeyjay - 4/30/2007 3:39:49 PM

+2 Boost

The design is too busy for a small SUV. It has the fender vents or whatever they are called the don't look right on this car. Maybe a different shape would have looked better.

aeyjay - 4/30/2007 3:41:24 PM

+2 Boost

Mirrors with integrated turn-signals would have been such a better design choice than the fender vents. Not to mention the added safety and style that Saturn is going for.

aeyjay - 4/30/2007 3:49:12 PM

+1 Boost

correction *called 'that' don't look*

JDMman - 4/30/2007 9:00:56 PM

+1 Boost

no one is gonna buy it now.

delan - 4/30/2007 10:02:40 PM

+1 Boost

They bumped up the price of the aura (compared to the L series) and its selling like hot cakes. So certainly there is some basis for their decision.