Saturn scores big with all-new Outlook

It’s as big as a Chevy Tahoe outside, has more room inside with seating for seven or eight passengers, is convenient, fun to drive and gets better gas mileage.

The all-new Saturn Outlook is the first of a trio of large, full-sized crossover utility vehicles (including GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave) being added to the GM lineup. All are built on what GM calls the lambda platform.

It seems as though, on a weekly basis, one manufacturer or another introduces a new car-based crossover utility vehicle. Until now all have been in the smaller “cute-ute” class, the exceptions being Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander which are closer to mid-sized vehicles.

Outlook is offered in two trim levels — XE ($27,990) and XR ($30,290) — with front-wheel drive standard or all-wheel drive for an extra $2000. All Outlooks come standard with three rows of seating for eight passengers or seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs.

Smart SlideÒ feature is standard on all second-row seating configurations. The second-row seat cushions flip up while the seatbacks slide forward, a one-hand operation that means you don’t have to be contortionist to access the third row. Second-row seats also slide fore/aft and tilt back for additional passenger comfort.

Both rows fold flat to create a cavernous 117 cubic feet of cargo space, eight more than a Chevy Tahoe. Additionally, Outlook’s third-row seat folds flat onto the floor making it unnecessary to remove it for maximum space as in the Tahoe. And, there’s no need to remove the second-row headrests for folding either. Combined, the flat floor is seven feet long and four feet wide.

Styling is curvaceous rather than chiseled, with prominent fender blisters, slight lower door bulges, large multi-element headlamps and ample use of chrome on the one-piece pillarless liftgate (á la Toyota Sequoia). There’s an LED brake light housed in the standard roof-mounted rear spoiler. A wide plastic molding completely surrounds the lower edges of the body to prevent stone chips on painted surfaces. A chrome bar adorns the upper portion of the grille, featuring the prominent bright red Saturn icon we first saw on the Sky sports car and attractive Aura a few months ago.

A 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 270 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque is the only available engine. The up-level XR model with dual exhaust provides an additional five horsepower. The engine has plenty of punch at both low speeds and when passing at highway speeds. This same engine powers the Saturn Aura sedan.

I was less impressed with Outlook’s new six-speed automatic transmission that was jointly developed with Ford and is also used in the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles. At times, the transmission felt clumsy and struggled to find the right gear when downshifting.

I liked the way Outlook drove, with minimal body roll on curves and corners,  and a smooth compliant ride easily comparable to the Lexus RX 350.

Standard safety gear includes front- and side-impact airbags for driver and right front passenger, head curtain airbags for all rows, traction control and Stabilitrak (GM’s version of stability control), and remote keyless entry. GM’s rollover sensing system, which can activate the side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent, complements the airbag system. Outlook has not been crash tested.

I tested a well equipped pre-production front-wheel drive XR that included heated leather seats, rear-park assist, power lift-gate, remote vehicle starting, memory seating with power passenger seat, an advanced audio system, captains chairs and XMÒ radio. Total price of $34,799 is quite reasonable. Saturn tells us that if every option is checked, the price gets close to $45,000. It’s a terrific vehicle for $35,000, but is outclassed at $45,000.

With Outlook, Acadia and Enclave, GM is taking dead aim at Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and those wanting out of their Dodge Caravans, Honda Odysseys and Toyota Siennas.

I think GM got it just right with this trio of vehicles. They are excellent alternatives for those who want an attractive people hauler and don’t need the towing capacity of a truck-based SUV.