Saturn Outlook

Saturn Outlook
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2006–2010
Model years	2007–2010
Assembly	Lansing Delta Township Assembly - Delta Township, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size crossover SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	GM Lambda platform/GMT966 (Series GMT960)
Related	Buick Enclave GMC Acadia Chevrolet Traverse
Powertrain
Engine	3.6 L LY7  V6 3.6 L LLT  V6
Transmission	6-speed 6T70 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.9 in (3,020 mm)
Length	200.7 in (5,098 mm)
Width	78.2 in (1,986 mm)
Height	69.9 in (1,775 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Saturn Relay
Successor	GMC Acadia

Saturn Outlook XE

The Saturn Outlook was a crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and was based on the GM Lambda platform, which it shared with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. The Outlook featured the second-lowest sticker price among GM's Lambda SUVs, slotting between the baseline Chevrolet Traverse and the mid-line GMC Acadia.

Following the withdrawal of a bid by Penske Automotive to acquire Saturn, the Motors Liquidation Company of General Motors announced in September 2009 that it would phase out the Saturn brand by October 2010, when it ceased operations.^[1]

Driveline

The Outlook was powered by the 3.6 L V6 DOHC 24-valve HFV6 engine with Variable Valve Timing, available with either single or dual exhaust. Both versions use the Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission, and available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Yearly American sales

Seating configuration

The Outlook can seat eight in a three-row setting. The front row consists of two bucket seats, and the second row is available as either a 60/40 split-folding three-passenger bench seat or two individual "captain chairs." The third row is a 60/40 split-folding three-passenger bench seat.

In the press release accompanying the Outlook's launch, GM emphasized the "industry first" SmartSlide second row. In case of both bench seat or captain chairs, the seat cushion flips forward while the seat is being slid forward, which allows for "compression" of the space used by the seat in the foremost position. If the third seat is folded, this allows for expansion of the cargo area. The system also allows for fore-aft adjustment of the middle seat to change the spacing between the second and third-row seats for more legroom.

Manufacturing and marketing

The Outlook, along with the other Lambda-based vehicles, was built in the Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan. The first pre-production Outlook rolled off the assembly line at the Delta Township plant on May 24, 2006.

In December 2006, all sales of the first batch of the Outlook (and the GMC Acadia) were temporarily stopped due to the engine mounts not having holes drilled to release accumulated water, as well as an issue with potentially faulty rivets in the load floor just forward of the rear hatch. The assembly process was quickly adjusted, and dealerships were told to fix the problems themselves before offering the Outlook for sale again. Sales resumed within days of the notice.

Production of the Outlook was halted in late 2009. However, for a few weeks starting in February 2010, GM resumed production of the Outlook to use up remaining parts prior to the closing of the Saturn division. It is not known how or where they were sold.^[5] 3637 MY2010 models were built, among which 2507 were assembled in calendar year 2010.^[6]

In 2012, GMC unveiled a second generation Acadia that will go on sale as a 2013 model. The updated version bears a resemblance to the Saturn Outlook, using the same bodyshell.

Crash test ratings

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Frontal:

Side:

The Outlook was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for 2008 and 2009.^[7][8]

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saturn Outlook.

• Official site
• "Saturn Has An All-New Outlook" (Press release). GM. April 11, 2006. 
• IIHS Top Safety Picks 2008