What is it?
2007 Saturn Outlook
What's special about it?
We've heard some pretty optimistic claims by company representatives over the years, but this one definitely caught our attention. We were at the New York auto show getting the lowdown on the 2007 Saturn Outlook from Pete Nico, the vehicle line executive. He told us the only other SUV he drove that made him want to accelerate into a turn instead of slow down for it was a BMW X5. "I feel the same way about this Outlook. When you drive it, you will be amazed at how well it handles," he told us enthusiastically.
A bold statement considering he's talking about an eight-passenger crossover designed to compete against the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, two vehicles that are anything but fun to drive. If the Saturn Outlook came across as a typical top-heavy SUV with off-road tires on it we might have smiled and moved on, but this sport-ute has some potential.
For one, it's built on an all-new chassis with a longer wheelbase and a 5-inch-wider track than a Toyota Highlander. All Outlooks also come with rack and pinion steering and a standard set of 18-inch wheels with 255/65R18 tires. Although standard models are front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is an option. And unlike most systems in the class, there's power going to the rear wheels all the time, not just when the front wheels slip.
The new Outlook is no underachiever in the powertrain department either, as the standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with double-overhead cams and variable valve timing. With 265 horsepower, 244 pound-feet of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission, it should be quick for its class.
All the extra room between the wheels makes for a huge cabin. An adjustable second-row seat offers plenty of legroom. Even when it's pushed back all the way there's still a surprising amount of room in the third row. The easy-to-slide second row makes getting into the third row painless as well.
Its cargo capacity is impressive, too. There's 19.7 cubic feet of room with all seats in place and a maximum of 116.9 cubic feet with both rows laid flat. Nico also showed us various under-floor storage compartments in the cargo bay as well as the standard chrome sill trim. "We looked at every aspect of the vehicle's design and focused our efforts in every area the customer sees and touches," he told us.
Inside, materials quality is better than you might expect in a Saturn and the panel gaps look tight. Standard safety features includes antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, side curtain airbags and a roll mitigation system. There's also the usual list of optional upgrades like a rear-seat DVD player, upgraded audio system and DVD navigation.
Pricing will be announced closer to the Outlook's on-sale date this fall. Expect it to start in the mid $20s, with fully optioned models pushing well into the $30,000s.
What's Edmunds' take?
It looks good, has plenty of room and all the right features. We doubt anyone will be giving up their X5 for one, but if Pete Nico is right there are plenty of Honda Pilot owners who will take a good look at the 2007 Saturn Outlook. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Saturn Outlook
What's special about it?
We've heard some pretty optimistic claims by company representatives over the years, but this one definitely caught our attention. We were at the New York auto show getting the lowdown on the 2007 Saturn Outlook from Pete Nico, the vehicle line executive. He told us the only other SUV he drove that made him want to accelerate into a turn instead of slow down for it was a BMW X5. "I feel the same way about this Outlook. When you drive it, you will be amazed at how well it handles," he told us enthusiastically.
A bold statement considering he's talking about an eight-passenger crossover designed to compete against the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, two vehicles that are anything but fun to drive. If the Saturn Outlook came across as a typical top-heavy SUV with off-road tires on it we might have smiled and moved on, but this sport-ute has some potential.
For one, it's built on an all-new chassis with a longer wheelbase and a 5-inch-wider track than a Toyota Highlander. All Outlooks also come with rack and pinion steering and a standard set of 18-inch wheels with 255/65R18 tires. Although standard models are front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is an option. And unlike most systems in the class, there's power going to the rear wheels all the time, not just when the front wheels slip.
The new Outlook is no underachiever in the powertrain department either, as the standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with double-overhead cams and variable valve timing. With 265 horsepower, 244 pound-feet of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission, it should be quick for its class.
All the extra room between the wheels makes for a huge cabin. An adjustable second-row seat offers plenty of legroom. Even when it's pushed back all the way there's still a surprising amount of room in the third row. The easy-to-slide second row makes getting into the third row painless as well.
Its cargo capacity is impressive, too. There's 19.7 cubic feet of room with all seats in place and a maximum of 116.9 cubic feet with both rows laid flat. Nico also showed us various under-floor storage compartments in the cargo bay as well as the standard chrome sill trim. "We looked at every aspect of the vehicle's design and focused our efforts in every area the customer sees and touches," he told us.
Inside, materials quality is better than you might expect in a Saturn and the panel gaps look tight. Standard safety features includes antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, side curtain airbags and a roll mitigation system. There's also the usual list of optional upgrades like a rear-seat DVD player, upgraded audio system and DVD navigation.
Pricing will be announced closer to the Outlook's on-sale date this fall. Expect it to start in the mid $20s, with fully optioned models pushing well into the $30,000s.
What's Edmunds' take?
It looks good, has plenty of room and all the right features. We doubt anyone will be giving up their X5 for one, but if Pete Nico is right there are plenty of Honda Pilot owners who will take a good look at the 2007 Saturn Outlook. — Ed Hellwig
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