Among all GM divisions, Saturn is definitely soaring the most. For 2008, the entire lineup of the automaker's youngest brand is all-new and more exciting than ever. The days of polymer panels and extremely plain-looking vehicles seem long gone. Today, Saturn has become synonymous with boldness and modernism.

Does anybody actually remember the "boxy" 2002 Saturn Vue?

In order to complete such a radical transformation in such a short period of time, GM gurus did not hesitate to find help overseas. While the Astra is derived from Opel, the automaker's European division, the new 2008 Vue has roots in Asia, through a development program involving various GM branches. South Korean subsidiary GM-DAT (formerly Daewoo) took care of most of the engineering, while the Russellsheim-based German design studio penned the bodywork. Finally, production for the Americas is handled by the Ramoz Arizpe plant, in Mexico, while the European and Asian markets are supplied by GM-DAT's Bupyong plant, in South Korea.

As you can see, this Saturn is now a global product. We, North Americans, know it as the Vue, but it's also sold under different names like Antara (Europe), Captiva MaXX (Australia) and Winstorm (Asia). Does anybody actually remember the "boxy" 2002 Saturn Vue?

Universal design
By exploiting its best resources, GM was able to develop a vehicle that can answer the needs of different markets. Therefore, don't be surprised if the 2008 Saturn Vue feels like a Honda CR-V or a Kia Sportage once you sit on board.

The interior layout is as modern as the exterior styling. The materials are pleasant to touch and look at, with fit and finish being neat and tidy. The color scheme has been cleverly thought out and includes a number of chrome accents.

The seats are large and plush, although they could use more side bolsters, like the CR-V's. They would do a better job of holding your body in check as a result. Having said that, they're far from the flabby buckets of the Dodge Grand Caravan. GM designers even included a footrest or dead pedal for the driver, making long drives more enjoyable.

The materials are pleasant to touch and look at, with fit and finish being neat and tidy.

Details now play a huge role in the design of Saturn products. You'll find many bright or chromed trim pieces, both inside and out. The oddly-shaped yet convenient hand brake or the non-functional air vents on the body sides are the sort of things that will help the Vue stand out from the fierce competition. In the 1990s, Saturn designers observed an ultra-conservative philosophy and they would never have incorporated flashy details just for the sake of it. Let me tell you that the new design approach is much more appreciated!

The oddly-shaped yet convenient hand brake that will help the Vue stand out from the fierce competition.

Versatile interior
Of course, the previous generation was arguably not that bad. True, the Space Frame-type chassis covered with polymer panels did nothing to improve interior quietness and finish quality, but the interior was still roomy and versatile. These two attributes are also found in the new model, which will easily accommodate four adults -- five if need be. The cargo threshold is very low, which makes loading heavy items easier.

The interior is very flexible. In addition to the 60/40 split-folding rear seats, the front passenger seat also folds flat, meaning you can load very long objects, like a ladder. Total cargo capacity increases from 827 to 1,598 liters in the process. That's roughly the equivalent of a Nissan Rogue, one of the smallest in the segment. Many other compact SUVs (Forester, Sportage, Tucson) offer more than 1,800 liters of cargo room; some even exceed 2,000 liters (CR-V, RAV4).

The automaker chose to make a number of handy features standard, particularly with regard to storage. These include a four-point nylon cargo net to secure smaller items to the floor, GM's Flex-Net system to help owners organize the cargo area (a bit complicated but nevertheless useful), small storage wells on each side as well as a composite moulded storage tray in the spare tire compartment.

However, there's one important accessory missing from the list: a cargo cover. It's only available as an option, even for top-of-the-line models. Yet, it proves to be the best defence against potential thieves, who often break a window just because they spotted something inside the cargo area.

The front passenger seat also folds flat, meaning you can load very long objects, like a ladder.

Diversified lineup
Like its predecessor, the new Saturn Vue is offered in several configurations, though a manual transmission is no longer on the menu; the demand was simply too low to keep offering it, according to Dan Burton, Marketing Director at Saturn Canada. What's more, the 4-cylinder is now exclusive to the Vue Green Line (hybrid).

The automaker chose to make a number of handy features standard.

 
The core of the lineup now comes with a choice of two V6 engines. The base model, called XE, gets a 3.5L mill developing 222 horsepower, while the mid-range XR (as tested) and high-end Red Line (performance-oriented) use a more muscular 3.6L unit. With 257 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 2,100 rpm, this V6 is almost as potent as the RAV4's (269 hp). It proves flexible and delivers more sensible accelerations than its Japanese counterpart.

My tester sent power to all four wheels through a new smooth-shifting 6-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and a reactive-type all-wheel drive system. This Vue behaves like a two-wheel drive vehicle until one of the front wheels starts to lose grip, at which point part of the available torque is rapidly transferred to the rear wheels.

Mission: comfort
On the road, the Saturn Vue XR acts pretty much like its Asian rivals. It offers a smooth ride which favors comfort over handling. Therefore, body roll is still present (though limited), which will annoy sportier drivers.

The power hydraulic steering is precise and nicely weighed. However, the 12.2-meter turning radius affects maneuverability in tight spots, like underground parking lots. The competition fares much better in that regard, including the Forester (10.6 meters), the Sportage (10.8 meters), the Rogue and RAV4 (11.4 meters) as well as the CR-V (11.5 meters).

The four-wheel disc brakes are easy to modulate. ABS and traction control are part of the standard equipment. GM marketing folks decided to bank on passive safety to set Saturn apart. That's why Vue owners also benefit from a full assortment of airbags, not to mention active head restraints and a collapsible pedal assembly. Of course, the vehicle is priced accordingly -- a few hundreds of dollars above similarly-equipped rivals.

With 257 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque at 2,100 rpm , this V6 is almost as potent as the RAV4's.

However, considering the usually high levels of customer satisfaction at Saturn dealers, the price difference might be worth it after all. Plus, the new Vue seems to be dependable and reliable, as a single recall has been issued by Transport Canada (for only 59 vehicles). Clearly, GM is steering Saturn in the right direction; the 2008 Vue is a brilliant example.

On the road, the Saturn Vue XR acts pretty much like its Asian rivals.