Saturn Vue History
History
The Vue launched for the 2002 model year as Saturn's first SUV and the first vehicle on GM's Theta platform — later shared with the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. It offered four-cylinder and V6 power with front- or all-wheel drive, and went on to become Saturn's highest-volume model.
A notable wrinkle in the first-generation Vue's powertrain story was Honda's J35A3 V6. As part of a cross-brand supply deal (GM received Honda V6 engines; Honda received Isuzu diesel engines for Europe), V6 Vues from 2004 through 2007 carried the 250-hp Honda 3.5-liter SOHC VTEC engine and Honda transmission. The range grew to include the performance Vue Red Line and, for 2007, the Vue Green Line mild hybrid.
The second generation arrived for 2008 as a rebadged Opel Antara — a German-designed compact crossover built in Mexico — shedding the American-engineered first-gen in favor of a global GM platform. This generation offered XE, XR, Red Line, and Green Line hybrid trims. Vue production ended in 2010 with the Saturn brand's closure.
Generations
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First generation · GM Theta platform
The original Vue on GM's Theta platform; V6 models used Honda's J35A VTEC engine from 2004. Home of the Red Line performance model and the Green Line mild hybrid.
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2003 Photo: “File:2003 Saturn Vue (6676844405).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0
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2004 Photo: “File:2004 Saturn VUE V6 AWD in Light Silver, Front Right, 07-12-2023.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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2005 Photo: “File:2005 Saturn Vue AWD V6, Front left, 01-24-2026.jpg” by 2000chevymontecarlo / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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2006 Photo: “File:2006 Saturn Vue (5673985120).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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2007 Photo: “File:2007 Saturn Vue Redline in Chili Pepper Red, Front Left, 08-14-2022.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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Second generation · Opel Antara-based
A rebadged Opel Antara built in Mexico; XE/XR/Red Line/Green Line trims. Sold through the brand's 2010 closure.
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2008 Photo: “File:2008 Saturn VUE AWD V6 XE Front left, 01-01-2026.jpg” by 2000chevymontecarlo / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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Body styles
- 4-door crossover SUV
Notable special editions & performance variants
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Vue Red Line
Sport-tuned, lowered Vue with the Honda 3.5-liter V6 — part of GM's Red Line performance sub-brand.
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Vue Green Line
Saturn's mild belt-alternator-starter hybrid Vue — the brand's first hybrid model.
Related models