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Saturn Outlook Gets High Marks from Consumer Reports

July 2, 2007

• Auto Bailout Chief: GM's CEO Had To Go • Taxpayers Unlikely To Recover Full Auto Industry Investment • GMAC Changing Name to Ally Bank • New Car Sales Show Improvement From May • April Dismal For U.S. And Foreign Carmakers • Chrysler Files for Bankruptcy, GMAC Takes Over Financing • Auto Sales Stagnant, But Hope Appears • What Would a Chrysler Bankruptcy Mean For You? • U.S. Carmakers Getting More Federal Aid • GM Cuts More Jobs, Eyes China • New Car Sales Plunge in February • Car Buyers Seeking Higher Fuel Economy • Video: Do Women Really Hate Car Shopping? • GM Plans New Minicar, Electric Cadillac • GMAC Becomes a Bank • White House to Loan Carmakers $17.4 Billion • Chrysler Closing Car Plants for 30 Days • What Would a Washington-Designed Car Industry Look Like? • States Want Stronger Used Car Rule • Industry Troubles Cloud LA Car Show • Carmakers Get Neither Love Nor Money From Congress • Taxpayers Headed For Automotive Bailout • Time May Be Running Short for U.S. Carmakers • Feds Move Closer to Carmaker Bailout • New-Vehicle Buyers Turn to the Web in Record Numbers --- • More about Auto Sales ...

The new Saturn Outlook emerged as one of Consumer Reports' top-rated SUV models in tests of eight midsize and full-size vehicles for the August issue. It easily outpointed competitors and now ranks as the best SUV from domestic automakers in CR's ratings.

The Outlook posted a "Very Good" overall score and is now ranked in third place -- behind the top-rated Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Honda Pilot -- among the 18 midsize SUVs that have recently been tested by Consumer Reports.

The magazine also is ranking the Outlook against larger, truck-based SUVs because of its roomy interior and accommodations for up to eight adults. Among large sport-utility vehicles, the Outlook ranks in second place, behind the far more expensive Mercedes-Benz GL450.

The Outlook outpoints eight large SUVs in CR's ratings chart including the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Chevrolet Suburban.

"The Saturn Outlook is the most competitive volume model from General Motors in years," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut.

The Outlook and its twin, the GMC Acadia, are new car-based SUVs that are being built on the same platform by General Motors, along with the up-market Buick Enclave, which is due to go on sale later this year.

Almost a foot and a half longer than midsized SUVs such as the Toyota Highlander, the Outlook is the first car-based SUV that is spacious enough inside to be a viable alternative to large truck-based models. That's good news because car-based models tend to provide better handling, a more comfortable ride, and better fuel economy.

The Outlook delivered 16 mpg in Consumer Reports' tests, which is better than that of all the large SUV models that have been recently tested. Its gas mileage is about midpack when compared with midsized SUVs tested by CR.

The Outlook was tested against the Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Chrysler Pacifica and the Ford Edge. Prices for those SUVs, equipped with popular comfort and convenience options such as sunroofs and heated leather seats, ranged from $33,950 for the Edge to $36,799 for the Outlook.

Though they didn't perform as well as the Outlook, the Veracruz, Pacifica, and CX-9 also posted "Very Good" overall scores. The Ford Edge finished near the bottom of the pack, though still with a "Very Good" score.

None of the new vehicles in this test group are recommended because they are too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data. The Pacifica has not been reliable enough for CR to recommend.

The magazine recommends only those vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on the Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

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