Saturn Outlook cleans up in Consumer Reports comparo
It's no secret that import models seem to do well in comparison tests performed by Consumer Reports. While some accuse CR of being biased against American metal, we've spent enough time with the Consumer Reports crew to know that they strive for objectivity in their tests. They actually purchase test vehicles straight from the dealer rather than using manufacturer supplied media vehicles, and their results over the past decade of testing just supports what we've all felt in our gut: General Motors, Ford and the Chrysler Group have not been performing up to their potential.
In the current August issue of CR that goes on sale tomorrow, however, a domestic model, the Saturn Outlook, dominated a field of four other midsize CUVs including the Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Edge. Its performance earned it a Very Good rating and a place behind the top-rated Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda Pilot in the midsize SUV category and a second place spot behind the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz GL450 in the large SUV category. CR decided the Outlook could be considered in both categories because it's car-based and technically a CUV like most of its midsize competitors, but is so roomy and seats up to eight like many large SUVs.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
Truthfully, it sounds as if even CR was surprised by the Outlook's performance in its review. David
Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center said, "The Saturn Outlook is the most competitive volume model from General Motors in years." It and its Lambda siblings, the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, are definitely a product of the "New GM". We've spent some time with the Outlook and plan on publishing a full review soon, but it's clear that the specs are spot on – honest-to-goodness seating for eight with a useable third row, a beefy V6 paired with a six-speed auto, Expedition-like room with an RX350-like ride. Our only gripe is that the Outlook's fuel economy hovers in the mid-teens and its friggin' huge, which while accommodating can make the full-size CUV difficult to maneuver in tight spots.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tool 2:29PM (7/03/2007)
The RX350 was a groundbreaking vehicle and to a large extent, it still is the standard.
It's terrific to see these "New GM" vehicles performing so well. I think the GMC is the nicest looking vehicle in the bunch, even over the new Enclave, which actually looks slightly out of proportion in real life (looked great in the pictures, however).
Kudos to GM.
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John 3:04PM (7/03/2007)
Had Consumer Reports failed the Saturn, all the domestic fanboys would have lashed out saying CR is irrelevent.
Since they have praised the Saturn, all you bushwackers will come out now saying what a great job CR does.
You cant have it both ways.
The Other Bob 4:14PM (7/03/2007)
"Had Consumer Reports failed the Saturn, all the domestic fanboys would have lashed out saying CR is irrelevent.
Since they have praised the Saturn, all you bushwackers will come out now saying what a great job CR does.
You cant have it both ways."
I won't have it both ways. I still think CR is full of s**t, but I never have denied their influence on buyers. This is why this is good news for GM.
Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they get it wrong. Flipping a coin will get a similar result.
Viv 4:35PM (7/03/2007)
I don't care if they praise the outlook, CR is still full of S**t. They already have their pre conceived notions as somebody said and nobody can change it. It still view them as a brochure of Honda and Toyota.
MCS05 2:41PM (7/03/2007)
I just leased an Outlook just like the photo except I got the 19" polished wheels. I really like it a great deal. I am surprised how nice it is.
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Tyk 2:41PM (7/03/2007)
Since when is the Pacifica a mid-size... it has a larger footprint than the Honda Odyssey.
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Steve Clayton 2:43PM (7/03/2007)
I hear from a friend who does floorplan financing for auto dealers that the three brands he sees doing very well right now are Toyota (no surprise), Honda (no surprise) and Saturn. With the Aura and now the Outlook, Saturn may just show the General the way out of the swamp.
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psarhjinian 2:52PM (7/03/2007)
It must be very hard for the pro-domestics/anti-CR crowd to deal with the cognitive dissonance this must create. First the Fusion does very well in reliability/performance and now the Lambdas are review well.
Perhaps CR has been right all these years and, shock-and-horror, the older domestic models really were less capable vehicles?
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SkiD666 3:04PM (7/03/2007)
The problem has been that CR seems to prejudge vehicles before a review has been performed (they are shocked that GM could make the Outlook).
A "new generation" domestic vehicle is assumed to have bad quality/reliability even if it is a new platform (Cobalt vs. Cavalier), whereas a japanese vehicle is assumed to be great (a 2006 Camry is a better built vehicle than a 2007 instead of the other way around).
Tim 2:53PM (7/03/2007)
Nice to see CR coming around to the domestics, although the Saturn is a place behind the Highlander and Pilot? I've recently test driven all three and the Outlook is light years beyond either of those. Oh well, change comes slowly.
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iomatic 9:32PM (7/03/2007)
I thought the Outlook had a Honda engine as well?
Or was that the Vue... can never keep track...
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far jr 10:07PM (7/03/2007)
That would be neither iomatic. Saturn has replaced the Honda sourced V6 with GM's 3.6 DOHC. No more Honda powered VUEs.
1337 3:03PM (7/03/2007)
Better yet, Consumer Reports tore the Edge a new one!
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Don 3:12PM (7/03/2007)
Well, this should shut up the CR detractors.
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XJ 3:16PM (7/03/2007)
Did anyone see how GM did for June? It's a shocker!
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Jay 4:05PM (7/03/2007)
Well I'll be damned. Still CR doesn't use random sampling in its surveys last I checked, so I still can't take them seriously.
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Frustrated Consumer 4:58PM (7/03/2007)
You people have to get out of your head that 'random sample' somehow equates to some holy grail of 'perfect data' or a 'perfect answer.' Because neither truly exists. That's what the science of statistics is for. If you want to rag on CR, that's fine. But using 'it's not random' is simply ill-informed.
Jay 9:05PM (7/03/2007)
Well if your going to try to give reliability ratings for something sold nation wide, then random sampling is a necessity. Otherwise it doesn't tell the whole story.
John Metcalf 4:05PM (7/03/2007)
The General is competitive in the XL size vehicle market.
Umm, I guess ya gotta stick with what you know.
Call me when they can produce a competitive vehicle that gets 30+ mpg.
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bob cobb 4:15PM (7/03/2007)
the surprising part was that they didnt recommend any of them.
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