GM celebrates Earth Day by featuring the Saturn Vue

From the press release:

According to the press release: GMÂ’s vehicle brands, manufacturing facilities and corporate activities are also recognizing Earth Day 2006 with a variety of initiatives. On the brand side, Saturn is sponsoring the Green Apple Music Festival in New York City featuring live music in over 30 venues around the city, and an Earth Fair showcasing environmental displays and demonstrations from a variety of organizations. SaturnÂ’s new hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Saturn VUE Green Line, will be on display and product experts will be on hand to talk with the public. The new vehicle is expected to achieve an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, the best highway mileage of any SUV.

Unfortunately, as with other GM 'hybrids'. the Saturn Vue hybrid is referred to as a mild hybrid. Capable of shutting off when stopped and regenerating the battery during braking, the GM 'hybrid' falls short of the capabilities available in a full hybrid. The Saturn Vue (gas only FWD 4) has an EPA rate of 23/29 mpg with a manual transmission and 22/27 mpg with an automatic. The hybrid improves that to 27/32 mpg, which isn't a huge increase in fuel economy.

But the Vue hybrid will be a more economical hybrid. With the base MSRP being estimated at 23 - 24 thousand, its certainly cheaper than the Ford Escape Hybrid (MSRP $26,900) or the Toyota Highlander hybrid (in the low $30's). So if you're looking to make a difference, but still looking for a good price, the Saturn Vue hybrid may be what you want to look for.

CNN Money has an article on the 'tightwad' aspect of building and buying a VUE hybrid