Photo Gallery: 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line

Hybrid vehicles have been attracting a lot of attention in the last couple of years, with Toyota, Honda, Ford and Lexus producing hybrids. Now GM is introducing their first real hybrid light duty vehicle and it is powered differently than anything else on the road. It comes from Saturn and is called the Vue Green Line.

The 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line is a "mild" hybrid. It uses a special generator/motor unit instead of the conventional alternator bolted onto the engine and it assists the engine's crankshaft through a wider serpentine drive belt on the front of the engine. GM calls it a BAS system (Belt/Alternator/Starter). The BAS hybrid system also adds an electronic controller, 36-volt battery pack under the rear cargo floor and gauges for the driver. It is a compact system that looks like it could be easily added to any vehicle with minimal changes to the existing vehicle. In fact, look for the system to be offered on the 2008 Chevy Malibu too.

Top, the Vue Green Line's BAS unit; middle, the 36-volt battery pack is tucked away under the cargo floor; and information about the hybrid system's workings are relayed to the drive via the Vue Green Line's gauges. Click image to enlarge

Only the "Hybrid" emblems on the front doors and rear liftgate give any exterior clue to the Vue's inner workings. The driver would notice a Charge/Assist gauge beside the tachometer, but otherwise the Vue Green Line looks very much like its non-hybrid counterpart. It even appears to operate much the same.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine still has a conventional 12-volt starter for initial start-up. Once the engine is warm, much of the estimated 20% improved fuel economy comes from the hybrid Auto Stop feature. Pull up to a stop sign or light and the engine smoothly comes to a complete stop. Electric power steering, auxiliary water pump and an electric pump inside the four-speed automatic transmission keep everything else operating when the engine stops. Release the brake pedal and the BAS system starts the engine through the drive belt instantly and smoothly.

I did find that when starting out with a cold engine, it took a while for the engine to warm up before the Auto Stop feature became operational. The driver can select two different operating modes when the air conditioning is on. Push the AC button on the dash once, and a green LED comes on indicating the system will still use Auto Stop even though AC is requested. Press the button again and an amber light comes on and the Auto Stop feature is disabled in favour of maximum AC performance.

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line. Click image to enlarge

Compared to other hybrids, I found the BAS system provides a different type of assist to the gas engine. Accelerate briskly and the Charge/Assist gauge needle swings quickly to the end of the Assist range but then quickly returns to indicate minimal assist. Electric motors provide maximum torque at or near stall speeds and this is when the BAS system provides the most power. Driving down the road, the gauge needle shows the system is almost always providing a little assist at highway speed, but back off the throttle or step on the brake pedal and the gauge instantly moves to the charge position. The operation of the hybrid BAS system is not as obvious as some other hybrids but combined with the gas engine does put out 170 horsepower compared to only 144 in the conventional four cylinder Vue. One more hybrid feature is the green "ECO" light on the dash that turns on when the vehicle achieves or exceeds its rated fuel economy.

On the road, the ride feels a little firmer than most compact SUVs, likely due to the vehicle's low rolling resistance tires. Ride height is also lower by 25 mm to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel economy. The electric power steering is better but still feels a little numb to me (again perhaps due to the tires).

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line. Click image to enlarge

The Vue was redesigned in 2006 and retains that styling for 2007. This compact SUV has fair room for five and the cargo area is practical and roomy. Most of the controls are arranged nicely and convenient to use, although I would prefer the four power window switches grouped together rather than placed around the console shifter. My Vue was equipped with power driver's seat, leather seating, heated front seats and XM satellite radio to keep passengers comfortable and entertained. (Curiously, according to the General Motors of Canadan website, the two option packages included on the test vehicle both include power adjustable and heated front seats: Ed.)

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