Best SUV to Buy

The best SUV to buy for the money and quality is a 2007 Saturn VUE with a V-6 engine. The Saturn VUE came out in 2002 and had engine, transmission and body style changes in 2004.

In 2007, this SUV was remodeled once again to have a slight European look, with smoother lines and more attractive accents. In 2008 the VUE had a complete makeover, which included a redesigned body as well as a different engine and transmission.

The 6-cylinder VUE is available in AWD (all-wheel drive) or FWD (front-wheel drive). The VUE is quick to impress with a 248HP Honda Engine. Being that Honda is one of the most popular cars, the VUE offers the best of both worlds.

This engine is the same that was used in the Honda Pilot and the Acura MDX. The VUE, quite a bit lighter than the MDX or Pilot, has extremely quick acceleration. Power is not a problem; in fact it is a benefit over other SUVs. This engine is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, changed from the original failing VTI version that gave the VUE a bad reputation in 2002 and 2003.

Safety is top notch in the 2007 Saturn VUE, the best suv to buy. Despite the fact that is does not come standard with side or other fancy airbags, it scores higher than most other SUVs in government crash tests.

Although the VUE and its competitors show a 5-star safety rating, there are specific injuries not included in the testing. Head and Femur injuries, although not part of the 5-star rating, are scored in all vehicle crash test ratings in government testing. Safercar.gov shows all results of the tests and the VUE comes out as one of the top SUVs of 2007. Hyundai and Kia scored the worst when it came to ratings not publicized.

Standard in the 2007 Saturn VUE are alloy wheels, OnStar, CD player, MP3 jack, auto-dimming rearview mirror with temperature and compass display, automatic headlights, fog lights and an interior that is easy to keep clean. The seats are half cloth and half vinyl (which looks like leather).

Optional add-ons include leather, heated seats, trip-tonic shift, sunroof, stereo upgrades including satellite radio, and navigation. The passenger side front seat has a plastic back, which folds flat down to offer more room for storage while protecting the seat. The VUE is heavy competition for other SUVs in terms of room.

The Saturn VUE offers rear “theater seating”. Despite outdated reports for potential consumers which listed the rear seat to sit low, it is quite the contrary. The rear seat sits higher than the front so that rear passengers can see the road rather than the back of the seat.

The seats are slightly angled, and this is for safety reasons. In the event of an accident, it limits sliding forward by seating the rear passenger with knees parallel to, if not slightly higher than the hips.

The 2007 Saturn VUE was the last year for the side polymer body panels that consumers either loved or hated. What you should know about the polymer panels is that they look just like the rest of the vehicle.

They are there to protect the body and keep the vehicle looking great during ownership. There will be no dents, dings or rust. Galvanized steel is used on the hood, trunk and roof of the vehicle, which once again protects from rust. Over time a chip will actually oxidize (turning white) rather than turn to orange rust.

Look at any other car in a parking lot and you’ll see the difference. In the event of an accident, polymer panels are cheaper to replace, keeping the VUE insurance rates way down. At the same time, these panels were more expensive to put on to the body for GM, and they were done away with in 2008.

Although Saturn is no longer a car company, this can work in a potential owners favor. Prices have dropped dramatically. It will not be a concern for maintenance of course, because GM had shared Saturn with all other divisions of GM. The VUE was related to the Equinox. There will be no issues going to a Chevy dealership to order parts or to fix this vehicle.

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Buying a SUV, or Sport Utility Vehicle, has become more popular in the recent years. SUVs are slightly bigger than compact cars and are thought of as light trucks.

A SUV offer an elevated driving position. Most prices of SUVs can range from $20,000-$28,000. This mid-size passenger vehicle usually has four doors and a truck. Purchasing a SUV can be overwhelming when one is not fully informed about the different options that are available.

Various safety features are available in most SUVs. Recent modifications to the bodies of SUVs have made them increasingly safe has they are more aerodynamic. As a result, they are less likely to rollover. Airbags can be found in the front as well as head-protecting and side. Front and rear curtain bags are also in most SUVs.

Child safety seat restraints are included in this versatile vehicle. LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, attachments are being made to accommodate car seats so they are anchored in the top and bottom. Driving on a slippery road can be hazardous, so many SUVs have traction control to prevent skidding.

This feature is also extremely useful when one needs to stop abruptly. Another safety feature included in many of the newest models is rear backup alert systems. This gives the driver both visual and audio cues to alert the driver when the rear bumper too close to another object. Many SUVs include a wide-angle rear video camera, giving the driver more reassurance and confidence in backing-up.

The amount of seating that is available is another vital factor. The majority of SUVs can carry five passengers. However, a third-row seat can increase the number of passengers to sever or eight. Folding flat when not in use is a benefit of a third-row seat. As it increases the cargo space.

Most SUVs contain a four-cylinder engine, however a V6 and V8 engines are also available. This is important to consider if one is going to use their vehicle for towing.

In addition, fun features are included in SUVs. Home theaters, navigation systems, cell-phone connectivity, and satellite and HD radio systems are just a few features that SUVs offer.

When buying an SUV, one must consider what features are the most important as well as their specific budget. There are many options and features being manufactured that one is sure to find the right SUV to fit their needs and wants.

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