Saturn Outlook XR Washington

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A surprising thing happened during the Saturn Outlook's stay with me: people wanted to know about it. On several occasions, passers-by stopped and asked me how I liked it, and what it was like. This happened in the parking lot at Lowe's, and in line for the recycling center, and at the car wash.

This sort of thing is common when driving, say, a high-end BMW or a limited-edition Jaguar. The Outlook, however, is just a plain ol' eight-passenger crossover. It's about as exotic as a Super Target. The attention that it garnered served to drive home the fact that Saturn is really on its game of late. With a product lineup that will be completely new when the Astra comes along to replace the ION, Saturn's got some of the freshest products in the market, and the new styling and improved quality are definitely getting noticed.

The Outlook is an all-new seven-passenger crossover vehicle, based on a new body-frame integral architecture that splits the difference between trucklike strength and carlike comfort. It shares underpinnings with the GMC Acadia and upcoming Buick Enclave, and these three vehicles are de facto replacements for minivans. Traditionally, an SUV-like vehicle hasn't made an ideal substitute for a true minivan, but the Outlook makes a good case, thanks to the Smart Slide second-row seat and high, commanding seating position.

It certainly looks better than any minivan. The long nose and bold chrome grille give the Outlook an uber-station wagon look that stands out from the crowd without being too wild. The Outlook's flowing lines are inspired by the Saturn Sky, believe it or not, and while this big vehicle doesn't resemble a two-seat roadster in any way, the brand's new family face is obvious. At the rear, wrapped tailgate glass improves the silhouette. The taillights are also dressed up with chrome. A choice of 18" or 19" wheels is offered. Judging from the curb appeal, the Outlook is more eye-catching than the average sport-ute.

Tall, comfortable seats are the order of the day inside. The Outlook can be configured to seat seven or eight. The unique Smart Slide second-row seats fold and slide forward with a single lever, making ingress to the third row easy. Road-tripping with six adults in an Outlook would not be a particular hardship (as long as the folks in the third-row seat weren't basketball players). With the third row seat in place there are still almost twenty cubic feet left over for cargo storage. Up front, the console is large enough to hold stray cell phones and the like, and it slides forward to become an armrest and to ease rear-seat legroom. Front, side and side-curtain airbags are standard, and GM's OnStar with Turn-by-Turn navigation is a handy option. A power tailgate, heated washer fluid, DVD entertainment system and remote starter are also available. About the only thing the Outlook gives up to minivans is the ability to walk between the front seats to the rear of the vehicle, and most minvan owners don't do that these days anyhow.

Safety equipment like six standard airbags and a rollover sensor helps to make the Outlook a good family-hauling prospect. The latest-generation OnStar system is also along for the ride, providing emergency assistance at the touch of a button.

The 3.6 liter V6 makes 270 or 275 horsepower, depending on whether you opt for the single or dual exhaust. We drove the Outlook XR, with the more powerful engine, but either powertrain is adequate for this almost five-thousand pound vehicle. Variable valve timing helps to improve the 3.6's fuel efficiency and smoothness. Shifting duties are handled by a smooth six-speed automatic.

Handling is exemplary. It's more stable than the average minivan, and the freeway ride is a combination of firmness and comfort that's hard to beat. The suspension is pavement-bred, but burly enough to handle rough roads without complaint. MacPherson struts are used up front, with an H-shaped multi-link rear end that's been designed to isolate passengers from road noise. The Outlook has 7.4 inches of ground clearance, enough to clear small obstacles, but the center of gravity is low enough that it doesn't feel tippy. All-wheel drive is also available, so this mega-wagon can provide secure winter transportation. The Outlook offers bad-weather people-hauling capabilities without quite as much bulk as a full-size SUV.

Above all, the Outlook is a very good do-all. I used it to haul seven passengers one day, and a load of bricks the next. For the record, it didn't like the bricks much, but it's not like most Outlook owners will be re-landscaping every week. I was impressed that it still handled decently with several hundred pounds of cargo.

It's not all truck, but it's far more than a car as well. The Outlook just may be the first large crossover vehicle to successfully straddle both categories. Outlook pricing starts at $27,990. The better-equipped and slightly more powerful XR comes in at $30,290, and all-wheel drive adds another $2000 to the bottom line.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Saturn Outlook XR AWD.
Length: 200.7 in.
Width: 78.2 in.
Height: 72.8 in.
Wheelbase: 118.9 in.
Curb weight: 4936 lb.
Cargo space: 19.7 cu.ft (all seats up); 117.0 cu.ft. (all seats folded)
Base price: $31,555
Price as tested: $33, 534
Engine: 3.6 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 275 @ 6600
Torque: 251 @ 3200
Fuel capacity: 22.0 gal.
Est. mileage: 17/24