2006 Saturn Vue

Started in the 1980s as “a new kind of car company,” General Motors’ Saturn division took a fresh approach to manufacturing and selling automobiles. Initially, the brand launched with “no haggle” dealership pricing and a small lineup of vehicles distinguished by dent-resistant plastic door panels. Over time, the cars and SUVs became more conventional, sharing parts and basic designs with other GM models. The last Saturn vehicles, the Aura sedan and Astra hatchback, were based on designs from the European brand Opel, which was then a part of GM. Ultimately, Saturn was shuttered during GM’s bankruptcy in 2010, along with Hummer, Pontiac, and Saab. Saturn vehicles still on the road today are over a decade old and lag behind other used options when it comes to safety and convenience features.

Saturn's small SUV has a subpar interior and seats that lack support. The steering is numb and the slow-responding AWD system allows the front wheels to spin noticeably on slippery roads before the rear wheels engage. The 3.0-liter V6 provides quick, but noisy acceleration. In 2004, it was replaced by a better 3.5-liter V6 from Honda. On early models, four-cylinder Vues use a CVT or a five-speed-manual, while V6 versions have a five-speed automatic. A tip up in the government's rollover test is a concern.