Let's get this out of the way first: Yes, the sensible, comparatively simple Saturn Vue Green Line is a hybrid, but it doesn't get the astronomical fuel economy that Toyota Prius drivers crow about.
But those of us who don't much care for the Prius' driving characteristics might be willing to sacrifice mileage for some of the Vue Green Line's other attributes, such as interior room and luggage capacity. And the fact that the Green Line saves some gas — well, that's gravy.
Actually, it saves quite a bit of gas, considering the relative absence of high-priced, high-tech hybrid components. The Vue Green Line is a partial hybrid, or "single mode," as the manufacturers have taken to calling it, meaning that it can't move under electrical power alone, as the Prius can. The smallish battery pack helps the 2.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine do its work, and it allows the engine to shut down under most circumstances at stoplights, but it doesn't replace the gasoline engine as a source of motivation.
People are also reading…
That said, a "dual mode" Saturn Vue hybrid is due shortly, and while it will get better fuel economy, it also will be more complex and more expensive.
Until then, there's not much wrong with a rating of 25 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg highway and 28 mpg overall, is there? Especially since our actual mileage was 28.6 mpg, and we were not particularly light on the Vue's throttle.
The base gasoline-powered, four-cylinder Vue, by comparison, is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg overall. That Vue starts at $21,875, so given the test Green Line's out-the-door sticker price of $24,795 — and that includes a lot of equipment — going Green Line won't cost you that much more green.
A substantial part of the Vue Green Line's thrift comes not just from the hybrid powertrain but also from other, smaller adjustments, such as the low-rolling-resistance tires ("hard," in other words) and some aerodynamic tweaks, such as a special rear spoiler. There is nothing particularly sophisticated about the 2.4-liter gas engine or its behind-the-times four-speed automatic transmission, but it all works well enough together.
On the road, the Vue Green Line rides and handles about as you'd expect, though there was a lot of tire and wind noise. Inside, instruments and controls are simple and straightforward. Cloth front seats are moderately comfortable, but rear seats are hard and upright, and lack legroom. Interior trim is a festival of plastic, some of it not fitted together particularly well at the Saturn assembly plant in Mexico.
There's a lot of luggage room in the rear and even more under the flip-up floor, revealing a lot of black Styrofoam cubbyholes that are certainly light but seem down-market. Outside, we can't fault the styling: The Vue, in any configuration, is one of the best-looking small sport utility vehicles at any price.
And speaking of price, really, it isn't bad: Besides the gas-saving hybrid aspect, you get stability control, anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, side and side-curtain air bags, keyless entry, OnStar, XM satellite radio and full power-operated features. Saturn also has an extended eight-year, 100,000-mile hybrid-component warranty, and there's little doubt that the understressed hybrid batteries should last that long, and then some.
All for less than $25,000: a good value, especially at current gas prices.
2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
• Price: $21,875 base, $24,795 as tested
• Power: 2.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder with electric motor
• Fuel economy: 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway