2008 Saturn Outlook

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.

The Outlook is a large, car-based SUV introduced for 2007. It can seat eight passengers, or seven when equipped with second-row captain's chairs. A comfortable ride and responsive handling are strong suits. The interior is quiet and well made, but some drivers found the head restraints uncomfortable. The third-row seat is roomy enough for adults, so long as the second-row seats are moved forward. The 3.6-liter V6 engine is smooth and refined. Its six-speed automatic transmission hesitated to downshift in our test car, but later versions have better tuning. Along with the rest of Saturn, the Outlook disappeared after the 2009 model year.