Hot Cars

2007 Saturn Outlook

September 7, 2006 on 2:33 am | In SUVs |

The eight-passenger - via an available second-row bench seat - crossover is GM’s attempt to lure large families who are tired of sub-par SUV gas mileage but don’t want to be seen in a minivan.

The center console and armrest, door panels, gauge cluster and seats are on par with GM’s new full-size SUVs, like the Chevy Tahoe, and are far beyond anything the company has produced before.

Both rear rows of seats fold flat, but not into the floor. That means the cargo floor is perfectly flat to stow long objects, but isn’t as deep because the seats don’t hide beneath the floor like they do in some minivans.

This is an interesting way to do it and much preferred to GM’s full-size SUVs, which must have the rear seats removed to achieve maximum cargo space. Parents will also enjoy the second-row bench seat because it fits three children across, two with the convenient LATCH system.

Mileage is estimated at 17/25 mpg city/highway for front-wheel-drive models and 16/24 mpg for all-wheel drive. The same 3.6-liter V-6 engine and six-speed transmission from the Aura will also be in use here, but will produce 263 or 267 hp, depending on the model. The Outlook will go on sale toward the end of the year and prices are expected to start in the mid- to upper $20,000 range.