2008 Saturn Outlook Review

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General Motors looks to have a big hit on their hands with the 2008 Saturn Outlook, their latest entry into the hot, crossover market. It is available in two trim levels, the XE and the XR, and can be ordered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Locomotion is provided by a 3.6L V6 engine with variable valve timing that produces 270 horsepower and 248 ft-lb of torque at 3,200 rpm (275 horsepower on the XE). The capable engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Other standard equipment includes traction control, StabiliTrak with enhanced rollover protection, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, auto headlights, power heated mirrors, power locks and windows, cruise control, front and rear air conditioning, and side head and body air bags. The XR trim adds twin exhaust,... see more

General Motors looks to have a big hit on their hands with the 2008 Saturn Outlook, their latest entry into the hot, crossover market. It is available in two trim levels, the XE and the XR, and can be ordered with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Locomotion is provided by a 3.6L V6 engine with variable valve timing that produces 270 horsepower and 248 ft-lb of torque at 3,200 rpm (275 horsepower on the XE). The capable engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Other standard equipment includes traction control, StabiliTrak with enhanced rollover protection, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, auto headlights, power heated mirrors, power locks and windows, cruise control, front and rear air conditioning, and side head and body air bags. The XR trim adds twin exhaust, unique alloy wheels, fog lamps, mirror-mounted turn signals, a power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front automatic climate control, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, among other items.

The Outlook's ride may be among the smoothest of any non-luxury sedan available. A lot of the credit goes to a very sturdy unibody platform, and the rest to the fine job of suspension tuning achieved by the GM engineers.

The Outlook's interior makes a good impression with its design, execution, and quality of materials. While two rows of bench seats for eight passengers are standard, second row captains' chairs can be ordered to seat seven. The rear 60/40 bench easily converts into a flat load floor with a simple tug of a few straps while the middle row tumbles forward for easy access to a space that is surprisingly roomy for adults. The dashboard featured a wide array of controls and chrome accents surrounding the center stack's air vents are a nice touch.

Optional equipment includes the usual audio upgrades, sunroof, and power conveniences, as well as remote vehicle start and a rear seat entertainment system.
The Outlook, a brand new Saturn crossover for 2007, sees few changes for 2008.A second row console is available with captain's chairs on XR models, and XM satellite radio is standard on all Outlooks. New exterior colors available for the 2008 Outlook include Garnet Red and Carbon Flash. see less

Trims	City MPG	Hwy MPG	MSRP	Invoice	Displacement	Engine
AWD 4dr XE	16	22	$30,260	$28,595.70	3.6L/- TBD -	Gas V6
AWD 4dr XR	16	22	$33,035	$31,218.08	3.6L/- TBD -	Gas V6
FWD 4dr XE	16	24	$28,625	$27,050.63	3.6L/- TBD -	Gas V6
FWD 4dr XR	16	24	$31,035	$29,328.08	3.6L/- TBD -	Gas V6

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2008 SATURN OUTLOOK STYLING | [7 out of 10]

Cars.com: "Styling garners enthusiastic responses, and it's never confused for anything but an SUV"
Edmunds: "Outlook's cabin is both functional and pleasing to the eye"
ConsumerGuide: "Gauges are large, clear, and conveniently backlit"

Anything resembling a minivan in the U.S. today has to overcome a certain stigma that is virtually impossible to surmount, so designers have begun to disguise their minivans as SUVs. Such is the case with the 2008 Saturn Outlook, which features SUV styling and minivan practicality, minus the minivan-traditional sliding side doors.

The Saturn Outlook was completely new for the 2007 model year, and it enters 2008 virtually unchanged. Edmunds describes the Saturn Outlook as "a large crossover SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers" that is available in "two trim lines: XE and XR." Both versions share the same exterior styling, which Cars.com says "garners enthusiastic responses, and it's never confused for anything but an SUV." Edmunds remarks that the Saturn Outlook "immediately stood out as something to pay attention to" when it debuted last year. Kelley Blue Book reviewers report that the 2008 Saturn Outlook is "taller than a wagon and sleeker than an SUV," part of "a growing number of crossover vehicles that actually look like crossover vehicles." They add "the Outlook's grille is dominated by a thick chrome bar that represents the new face of Saturn." For those wanting to differentiate their 2008 Saturn Outlook, ConsumerGuide points out that Saturn offers "Special paint" and "Premium paint" options on the XE and XR Saturn Outlooks.

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2008 Saturn Outlook

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