First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid
by Alex Nunez on Oct 24th 2008 at 12:28PM 
Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
We attended the New York-area "GM Collection" event this week, which is basically an opportunity for journalists to drive a variety of 2009 models up at Bear Mountain, an hour or so outside Manhattan. What we didn't know going in was that GM would bring along three production-spec examples of the '09 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and that this would be the first opportunity to take the new gas-electric 'ute for a spin. Bear in mind that this impression is based on about 25 minutes of shared time with the car (we buddied up with Jalopnik's Wes Siler). The official full-dog-and-pony-show media launch event is set to take place in December, and we'll be on hand for that as well. For now though, follow the jump to see some initial impressions of the new Saturn hybrid.
All Photos Copyright © 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
The Vue 2 Mode Hybrid is pretty self-explanatory: it's a Saturn Vue, and it's the first non-GMT900 ride to get the 2 Mode hybrid setup. It'll slot above the existing Saturn Vue "light" hybrid (née Green Line) in the lineup, targeting drivers who desire fuel economy on par with the four-cylinder hybrid, but want more power and/or towing capacity. The 2 Mode Vue's gas engine is a direct-injected version of the widely-used 3.6L "high feature" powerplant. In this case, it makes 262 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque and only front-wheel-drive is available. (The AWD Vue Red Line we reviewed last year, by comparison, made 257 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque with the non-DI version of this engine. Its EPA rating was 16 city/22 hwy.)
It works in concert with the hybrid sysyem, which incorporates a pair of 55 kW electric motors, a 300V battery, regenerative braking and the 2 Mode transmission, which sports two electronically variable modes and four fixed mechanical gear ratios to optimize efficiency at both lower, around-town speeds and highway velocity. Unlike the light hybrid system in the other Vue Hybrid, the 2 Mode can run in EV-only mode at low speeds, in addition to doing all the other stuff you expect, such as killing the engine when stopped. The result is a projected fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. This, with a 3,500-pound tow capacity and a projected sticker price of around $33,000.
Appearance-wise, it looks just like a Vue XR. Only the Vue XR doesn't have three hybrid badges (one on each fender and one on the tailgate) and four hybrid decals (one on the windshield, one on the rear window, and the gigunda things that span the lower door panels). Short of getting a full "HYBRID" bus wrap on the thing, you can't really announce your greenie status any more unless you head to the Toyota store.
If you've driven a conventionally-powered 3.6L Vue, you're not really in for anything earth-shatteringly different. When you twist the key, the car powers on, but the engine doesn't fire (a green car icon in the instrument cluster tells you the car's good to go), and at low speed it'll stay in battery mode if you keep a light enough foot on the gas pedal. Punch it, and the Vue pulls strongly and accelerates at a reasonable clip, either under engine power alone or while getting an assist from the electric motor as well. Like we said, it feels basically like the gas-only XR. At 4,265 pounds, it's almost 200 pounds heavier, though.
Interior? The tach's replaced by an "efficiency gauge" that shows you how you're using the powertrain (battery on one extreme, engine on the other) and also incorporates a separate gauge that indicates the battery's level of charge. If you opt for the nav system, then you get an animated powertrain graphic on that screen, as well. The rest is no different than its sister vehicles. The battery is stored under the rear cargo floor and does not intrude into the cabin space at all. There's no spare tire as a result – the Vue 2 Mode just comes with a compressor kit.
So, first impression? Nice ride. It does all the hybrid stuff you want/expect it to, and it performs well when called upon. The projected mileage numbers are good, but the FWD Escape Hybrid does better; it's less muscular, though, and only tows 1,000 pounds. If you're really set on a Vue and don't need the towing capacity that the 2 Mode setup affords, the light hybrid Vue costs almost $5,000 less and delivers very similar fuel economy at 25 city/32 highway, according to the EPA. One thing's certain: you've got some choices now, which is certainly not a bad thing.
We'll come back with more detailed impressions after Sam gets a longer look at the car in December.
All Photos Copyright © 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MichaelS 12:47PM (10/24/2008)
If those fuel economy estimates are accurate, that's very impressive technology. City mpg increases by 65%, while highway mpg increases by 30%.
A front-drive RX400h gets 27/25 mpg, compared to this VUE's 28/31 mpg, and the Lexus weighs less, too.
Usually hybrids don't see as much a gain in highway fuel economy. The two-mode system has four fixed gear ratios, in addition to the CVT, which gives electric power from the battery a direct mechanical path at highway speeds.
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Dondonel 3:36PM (10/24/2008)
There is no CVT in the 2 Mode Hybrid system, nor there is one in hybrid Lexus cars. eCVT used by Lexus has no CVT in it (with belt and pulleys). Lexus eCVT is the same system with the one used in Prius, that is a transmission with just one gear (top gear) and helped by 2 electric motors for additional torque.
hatchbacks are cool 12:50PM (10/24/2008)
Hybrids are not very economical and produce more CO2 in the long run than a Chevy suburban . Why is Gm wasting money on stupid hybrids ? Please don't respond or give this comment a tumbs down because that would just show how stupid you are
http://www.spike.com/blog/five-reasons-why/66839
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/used_car_reviews/article3552994.ece
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Sandeep 1:33PM (10/24/2008)
If you dont like it, don't buy it.
Capitalism at its best: put your money where your mouths at. Let others make up their own mind.
Torrent 2:22PM (10/24/2008)
I never really liked you 'hatchbacks are cool'.
And now everyone knows why.
ksmith 2:31PM (10/24/2008)
I guess this makes me really stupid, although I doubt the masses agree.
HotRodzNKustoms 2:42PM (10/24/2008)
GM is building hybrids because Toyota has convinced people if they buy a hybrid they have saved the polar bears and penguins. So if you don't buy a hybrid you must hate the cute polar bears and penguins.
But seriously if there is a demand for a product you build it.
why not the LS2LS7? 2:56PM (10/24/2008)
Hybrids do not emit more CO2 in the long term than a Suburban. The study that did that was completely flawed, even those who did it admitted it eventually.
The reason was that the hybrid was assumed to only last a few years and the suburban was assumed to last a very long time. Thus, the carbon emitted making the hybrid was distributed over only a few years, and so each year was higher. The carbon on the suburban was over more years and each year was lower.
If you then looked per year and extrapolated to over "X" years, it looked like hybrids emitted more carbon over X years. But it wasn't true, as the assumptions were wrong.
EEL 7:25PM (10/24/2008)
"Please don't respond or give this comment a tumbs down because that would just show how stupid you are"
LMAO
No, the real reason why we reply is to see if you are smart enough to know how stupid YOU are.
It's 'thumbs', not 'tumbs'.
hatchbacks are cool 1:28PM (10/25/2008)
Dose anyone on this world has a brain that works ? I do care about the stupid Polar bears and beluga whales that why i have a diesel fiesta and not some stupid hybrid . do you even think how the battery is made ? It has to be shipped from one country to another to be assembled . there have been many tests in real driving conditions that proved that hybrids are not as efficient as a regular petrol car. Just shut up you American gits who think there f*cking better than every one else because you not . You know nothing. Have you ever drive a hybrid and compered it to the non hybrid version if you got better miles per gallon it because of you where driving slow NOT because of the car. Don't believe any of the junk that Toyota is putting out .
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=233&sid=2b234698da86f217d6fede822e8e8a8c
http://forums.di.fm/science-and-technology/hybrids-suck-gas-macleans-article-94613/
Mike 12:59PM (10/24/2008)
Forget about the VUE... put that V6 hybrid in the Acadia or Traverse. Then you can move 8 people at better than 24MPG.
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Upthewazzu 12:59PM (10/24/2008)
GM, why hath you foresaken the AWD???
This would be the #1 SUV on my list if it had AWD. Without it, it isn't even on the radar.
FWD = no bueno for eastern Washington in the winter.
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PiCASSO 1:11PM (10/24/2008)
Is that AWD really necessary? A good set of winter tires will be sufficient for these 10+ days out of the year when there is a lot of snow to plow through.
Upthewazzu 1:13PM (10/24/2008)
@piCASSO-
I live on the Palouse, not a flat piece of land for 100 miles in any direction.
Frylock350 1:22PM (10/24/2008)
Please. I drove an RWD Roadmaster in Wisconsin's winters. Snowtires an 200lbs of sand was all I needed. AWD isn't 4WD either. It won't get you unstuck, etc.
Christopher 1:17PM (10/24/2008)
Why must GM continue to plaster HYBRID on the side of their vehicles?
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Eric77TA 1:22PM (10/24/2008)
Lord I don't know. When I first saw these I thought that they were just for advertising - you know, something visual for the lot. Then I saw a mild hybrid in our garage with them. It's like, are you serious? First thing I would do is tell the dealer to remove the windshield, back window and rocker decals before I took this home.
My wife drive's a 2007 (old body style) Green Line and it has 3 hybrid badges (tailgate and each door) and one Green Line (little square with a green line) badge and that's plenty if not more than enough!
Frylock350 2:21PM (10/24/2008)
So everyone who sees you driving knows you are saving the baby seals!
why not the LS2LS7? 2:57PM (10/24/2008)
I saw one of the full-size GM hybrid SUVs. It's not as bad as you make it out to be. If you don't like it, the dealer will remove it for free.
Cam 3:43PM (10/24/2008)
Besides the ugly cars (initially), that has got to be my least favorite thing about the whole Hybrid trend. Anyone ever see the South Park episode where one of the kid's dad buys a Hybrid then proceeds to move to San Francisco and loves to smell his own farts? I'd have to think that's the reason why Hyrbid is plastered all over these things, so people can get all self-righteous on the rest of us fossil fuel users.