One thing's for sure is that the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy look prehistoric beside the Lambda triplets. In fact, the only advantage these two 4-wheel drive (no more RWD models for 2008) trucks have is their greater towing capacity. Their days are numbered, I can feel it.

With its fat fenders, chromed wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips, the Outlook means business. I look at this truck and can't see anything in its design that turns me off.

The Outlook embodies the wind of change sweeping across the Saturn lineup.

Competition
The Outlook XE with front-wheel drive has a base price of $33,900 (the least expensive of the Lambda trio), and this test vehicle is an XR AWD which costs $41,265. It includes a long list of options:

Advanced audio package ($920), power tailgate and park assist ($885), leather seats ($1,695), Premium plus seating package ($965), 19-inch chrome wheels ($1,025), 7-passenger seating configuration ($675), xenon headlights ($650), navigation system ($3,835), 110-volt power outlet in 2nd-row ($255), power sunroof and rear glass panel ($1,685) and tow package ($550). The grand total amounts to--let me get my calculator--$54,405. Wow, that's a lot of dough.

There's a wide selection of rivals that offer a V6, all-wheel drive and room for 7 or 8 passengers, and that are sold within the Outlook's price range: Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, Cadillac SRX, Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus X, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Jeep Commander, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Tribeca, Suzuki XL7 and Toyota Highlander. The Outlook is priced just right and has nothing to envy compared to the others mentioned here.

Conclusion
Ok, now's the time to say that the Outlook is a giant leap forward compared to the model it replaces--but wait, there is no previous model.

However, the Saturn Outlook is a truck that's so competent, friendly, spacious and good-looking that it currently surpasses many competitors, and even a few that, in my mind, were at the top of their category.

Let's say that a $54,000 Outlook is pretty expensive. But if you choose your options carefully, you'll end up with an all-wheel drive Outlook for under $40,000. That's a very good deal.


Impressive interior space
Great V6 engine
Easy to drive



Ventilation and temperature controls are too small
The price climbs quickly with options



None


Photo Credit : Michel Deslauriers