By Alex Kramer

Pros:

• Excellent ride quality
• Snappy new exterior style
• Upscale interior design
• Spacious front seats

Cons:

• Tepid acceleration
• Hefty 3800 lb curb weight
• Less than hybrid worthy fuel efficiency
• Marginal rear legroom and smallish trunk

2008 has been a tough year for American auto manufacturers. Faced with high gas prices and strong competition from overseas, sales have plummeted, especially in the traditionally lucrative light truck and SUV segment. Much like in the 1970’s, the pain at the pump has driven consumers to smaller, more efficient models, many of which are made in Japan. Although the Big Three already have some fuel efficient compacts and hybrids for sale, or in the works, is it too late to convince the American consumer that Honda and Toyota aren’t the only ones meeting the MPG challenge?
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DETROIT — General Motors is trumpeting a pair of numbers about its 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line today. The hybrid SUV’s fuel economy numbers are 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, which represents a 27 percent improvement over the non-hybrid Vue. And the small SUV will start at $24,795. Those figures mean it’s the highest-mileage SUV on the market — and the cheapest hybrid SUV.

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