Saturn has announced that its new 8-passenger crossover called the Outlook will have an MSRP of $27,990 for a two-wheel drive model and $29,990 for an all-wheel drive XE model. Uplevel XR models will start at $30,290 for two-wheel drive and $32,290 for all-wheel drive. All models will get General Motors’ 3.6-liter VVT V6 that produces 270 hp and 248 ft-lbs. of torque in the base XE and 275 hp and 251 ft-lbs. of torque in the XR thanks to a dual exhaust system. Both engines are paired up with GM’s new six-speed automatic transmission, which from what we’ve heard is a slick shifter. We also now know you can order up your Outlook with options like ultrasonic rear parking assist, a power lift gate, remote start, heated windshield washer fluid, a DVD entertainment system and DVD navigation.
For those concerned that a 8-passenger crossover might be a fuel hog, you’ll be surprised to learn that the EPA estimates for the Outlook aren’t that bad. Saturn tells us that two-wheel drive models should get 18 mpg city/26mpg highway and four-wheel drive models 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway. We do expect the Outlook to eventually offer a V8 underhood, at which time those numbers will drop considerably. However, GM has a lot of technology available of which the Outlook could potentially avail itself, including a two-mode hybrid system that will be introduced in the Tahoe soon. Such a system would presumably work in the Outlook and its platform mates, the GMC Arcadia and Buick Enclave, returning better fuel mileage than the Tahoe hybrid thanks to its lower weight. Seems like this type of large vehicle would also be a prime candidate for a light-duty diesel engine.
GM and Saturn are certainly being very aggressive with the Outlook’s price, which we expect will be the least expensive of the three Lambda-based models. The Saturn Outlook’s $28,000 base price is low enough even that people considering a Ford Edge, which starts at just below $26,000 for a two-wheel drive model, will likely be attracted by the Outlook’s extra row of seats.
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PRESS RELEASE: Saturn Announces Prices For All New 2007 Outlook
MSRP for new eight-passenger crossover vehicle starts at $27,990
Detroit — Engineered to provide the ideal balance of style, size and capability, the 2007 Saturn Outlook crossover also features a long list of standard equipment and extremely attractive price.
Saturn announced today the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the front-wheel drive Outlook XE is $27,990. All-wheel drive XE model starts at $29,990.
Fuel economy numbers for the Outlook were also announced, with front-wheel-drive models rated at 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway by the EPA, and all-wheel-drive models rated at 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway.
“The Outlook crossover combines great design and utility with better fuel economy than any eight-passenger SUV,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “It’s part of our continuing strategy of combining great vehicles and outstanding value with Saturn’s highly regarded customer care.”
Outlook features a body-frame integral design that enables lower step-in heights and generous interior space. Outlook offers three rows of seating, with the third row capable of comfortably seating three adults – and with more usable storage space behind the third-row seat than many of its competitors. Access to the third-row seat is made easier with an articulated, industry-first Smart Slide(R) second-row seat feature.
StabiliTrak is standard on all Outlook models, as are six air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which can activate the side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent. In the event of a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant containment. Outlook also comes standard with OnStar.
The Outlook XE’s 3.6L V-6 VVT produces 270 horsepower (201 kw) and 248 lb.-ft. of torque (336 Nm). The uplevel Outlook XR model, with dual exhaust, provides an estimated 275 horsepower (205 kW) and 251 lb.-ft. of torque (340 Nm). All Outlook models feature a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The uplevel Outlook XR will carry an MSRP of $30,290 for front-wheel drive and $32,290 for all-wheel drive models.
Rounding out the appeal of the Outlook is a wide range of attractive optional equipment, including ultrasonic rear parking assist, power lift gate, remote vehicle start, heated windshield fluid, DVD entertainment system and DVD navigation system.
The Outlook will be built at GM’s Lansing/Delta Township (Mich.) assembly facility. [General Motors]