Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, GM, GMC, Saturn
Saturn releases Outlook pics in advance of NYC debut
We're packing our bags and warming up the Autoblog Gulfstream to bring you the most immediate and extensive coverage of the New York Auto Show, but we couldn't take off without first passing on this first lookpeak at Saturn's forthcoming Outlook. Set to premiere later this week in the Big Apple, one thing is for sure-- Saturn's days as a small car company are long gone. A 3.6-liter V-6 with VVT paired with a six-speed automatic has been announced, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of more cylinders announced in NY, given the size of this thing.
Click through to the jump for more views inside and out...
[Source: General Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt 8:37AM (4/11/2006)
Looks great. Saturn's doing a great job...
Reply
mj10990 8:40AM (4/11/2006)
I am impressed. This is a good looking SUV, both inside and out. As one of those supposed, "GM Bashers" I am really impressed with the direction Saturn is heading. The Aura is also a great looking vehicle. But then again I thought the L-Series was an attractive, and well-driving vehicle (just not very reliable nor competitively priced.), so what do I know?
Now if they can control quality issues and cost, if this isn't a hit for Saturn and GM, nothing will be.
Reply
Mike 8:42AM (4/11/2006)
I really like it!! I think all three of the new Saturns for car show have a real edge to them. I test drove one of the 2006 Vue's and liked it!
Reply
kevinsight 8:47AM (4/11/2006)
Looks good, not the awkward old Saturn look. Nice to start seeing a stream of decent cars from the general. Now if they could catch up technologically in the affordable range to get confidence back in US knowhow ...
Reply
Antrow 8:50AM (4/11/2006)
That is one nice Saturn. I would trade my BMW x3 for one. Love in layout inside, very un-GM like. I can easily see this being rebadged as a Saab 9-6. GM may get me back to one of their dealers yet.
Reply
steve s 8:55AM (4/11/2006)
Too bad the Outlooks sister vehicle the Buick Enclave is last in line to come out instead of first, Im really waiting on that one. Still looks good Saturn, could be the start of a good turn around for the brand. Sky, Aura, Outlook, perhaps good design is finally returning to GM, congrats.
Reply
Phil L. 8:59AM (4/11/2006)
This looks like an ideal take-the-family camping vehicle, particularly with the 3.6l engine. Have any specifications - specifically for trailer towing - been released yet?
Reply
Bill 9:00AM (4/11/2006)
I just returned from a week in Switzerland. It looks like Saturn is definately acquiring some strong Opel influences in the styling department. I hope they don't stray too much into overly big cars though.
Reply
Paul 9:16AM (4/11/2006)
Score another homer for Saturn! Makes the rav4 look like junk.
USA! USA!
Reply
Lovefest 9:23AM (4/11/2006)
Wow, it's a big ol' back-pattin' lovefest in here! I'll admit at first glance the Outlook appears compelling... but everyone is ignoring the big question: What on earth does this have to do with Saturn? This could/should be badged as a Chevrolet, with its attendant larger dealership network and potential for bigger volume. If GM insists on keeping Buick around, then fine, the Enclave (if it stays true-to-concept) is a great place to start. But another GMC? And what does Saturn stand for these days? If it's Opel-by-another-name, that isn't terribly dissimilar from Oldsmobile's brandspace just before it got the plug-pulled.
The Outlook may be a good vehicle, but that shouldn't stop people from asking "Why"?
Reply
Steve 9:32AM (4/11/2006)
Looks great. I have been waiting for Saturn to come out with a 6 or 7 passenger vehicle that wasn't a boring minivan. I love the dealer service and I've been so close to considering a VUE... I just need that extra seat or two for the occasional group outing.
Question is: will Saturn make this available with the same technology as the VUE Green Line? With $3 gas in the equation, a greener SUV from Saturn would sure help!
Reply
Michael Karesh 9:33AM (4/11/2006)
Compared to the Ford Freestyle, this has a nicer interior (except for the obviously fake wood) and considerably more cargo volume--117 cubic feet vs. 87--but what appears to be a significantly less adult-friendly third row. Fuel economy is lower than the Ford's, but still reasonable for such a large vehicle.
Seems closer in character to the Pacifica, but with larger windows and, again, more cargo volume. Especially behind the third row.
This vehicle might have what it takes to finally win people over to crossovers. I'm very much looking forward to the test drive.
My review of the Freestyle: http://www.epinions.com/content_157001027204
Reply
DJ 9:33AM (4/11/2006)
Does anyone else see a Toyota Sequoia in the profile?
http://www.toyota.com/sequoia/exterior.html
Reply
laserwizard 9:45AM (4/11/2006)
Awful looking exterior with headlights that look way too high up on the fenders. Interior is a delight. Too much toyo-duh in the exterior styling. Once again GM is following instead of leading. Now they bring out a gas hog when gas prices are going over $3 a gallon again - what a bunch of nitwits.
Reply
JH 9:51AM (4/11/2006)
I agree with 10. Not too shabby, but not really necessary either. Why is this a Saturn?
Reply
Kowell 9:56AM (4/11/2006)
I must say I'm impressed from the first exterior looks it said "Chevrolet Equinox take 3" but it'S actually very nice inside....the front grill is as ugly as the new one on the Vue but apart from that it'S actually very nice.. a good prospect for saturn
Reply
phez 10:09AM (4/11/2006)
#10 is right on the spot, nothing is truly "unique" about this vehicle, it could very well have been sold as a chevvy and no one would be the wiser.
...but yes, the interior looks great, but how much is that trim level going to cost? gm has a long way to regain my favour, and currently, i wont be fooled into believing this is the basic trim level.
Reply
caffee 10:17AM (4/11/2006)
Considering a majority of americans are still going for the SUV config, Saturn should have a winner. With the good looks of the Aura sedan, the Sky and now a strong SUV, I would say Saturn is ready to meet the competition head on. They now have a nice line-up, with a history of quality and reliability. I believe Saturn will run "rings" around their rivals.
Reply
Lithous 10:19AM (4/11/2006)
"What on earth does this have to do with Saturn?"
What on earth do these big ass cars running around with names like Civic and Camry doing? Things change over the years.
"This could/should be badged as a Chevrolet, with its attendant larger dealership network and potential for bigger volume."
Not necessarily. From what I read the 2006 VUE is beating the Equinox in sales so far this year.
"If it's Opel-by-another-name, that isn't terribly dissimilar from Oldsmobile's brandspace just before it got the plug-pulled."
Oldsmobile did have some nice looking cars IMO before it went. Alero, Aurora, Intrigue (was OK). But Oldsmobile had the whole "not your father's" thing to get over. Saturn is a pretty clean slate compared to other GM divisions. If anything, Saturn is the most sense to be American Opel. You ever hear of fight fire with fire? Saturn was always supposed to be the import fighter. I guess the way to fight imports is with U.S. assembled vehicles of European/Japanese design (IMO the Sky is more Japanese looking than say the British-esque Solstice for instance).
So hear you have a company with a good rep with customer service / no haggle. Why not inject it with some nice looking designs and VVT?
Makes at least some sense to me.
Reply
sk 10:28AM (4/11/2006)
"Why is that a Saturn?", because the Chevy dealer network sucks. Have you ever been at a Saturn dealer? If not go and see the difference for yourself.
Reply