Test Drive: Saturn Relay Crossover Sport Van

Saturn rising: SATURN ENTERS NEW TERRITORY WITH RELAY CROSSOVER SPORT VAN

By Ron Moorhead

Saturn is one of the GM divisions that we have heard little from over the last few seasons. It isn't because it has nothing to be excited about; no, it seems that it has been left to drift alone in the darkening ocean of the auto marketplace.

Yes, Saturn had the new Ion economy car that was meant to entice the younger crowd of buyers into its dealerships. That didn't happen--at least not to the level Saturn would have liked. One of the problems with the Ion was it missed its mark, counting on those young folks wanting a quirky yet mainstream vehicle. It wasn't quirky nor mainstream enough for either side of the market.

The good thing about the situation was the powers that be within General Motors noticed that they had a great deal at stake with the whole Saturn thing. Lots of previous owners were very loyal, but wanted new and different vehicles that other brands were offering but wanted to stay within the Saturn brand. One of the biggest attractions was the dealership experience itself. These owners were smitten by the way Saturn dealers treated them: more like real people than just customers.

The light finally went on in the ivory towers of the RenCen, GM's headquarters, and the decision to give Saturn more vehicles was made. That brings us to today, as I drive one of Saturn's new crossover sport vans. We were told emphatically, "Do not call it a minivan." However, you may have a fight on your hands with diehard minivan owners, because from the inside it would be difficult to distinguish this vehicle from a minivan.

The Saturn Relay is a cross between a sport utility vehicle, a minivan and a sport wagon. It offers the combined versatility of each without some of the drawbacks. The one and most important aspect is it doesn't look like a minivan.

Okay, so it is a "crossover sport van (CSV). On the outside it looks more like a sport utility, with its longer prominent hood line, its not-so-steeply raked windshield and the appearance of a "C" pillar. Gone is the rear glass that ran down the side of most minivans. The Relay resembles a lowered SUV without the harsh ride and with more versatility and functionality than is offered by a van.

The Relay is jampacked with standard features that make this the vehicle families of all ages have been waiting for. One standard feature is the entertainment center, better known as a DVD player. This piece of equipment will keep kids of all ages occupied for hours.

Two center seating configurations are available. One offers full-size captain chairs for the second row; the other has a slightly narrower seat but opens more room between the seats for easier access to the third-row seat, or the placement of a removable "toy box" storage compartment for all those things kids want to bring along on even the shortest of trips.

This brings up one frustration I had with the Relay: getting the second seats to fold and tumble forward so that a big guy like me could climb in back so that less nimble passengers could stay in the front two rows. Let's just say I have seen easier-to-manipulate folding seats.

Power is adequate, but not overly exciting, but hey, this category of vehicle isn't going to be exciting, at least in acceleration. The automatic transmission offers four gears, including overdrive, helping to increase fuel economy. The one feature I would like to see here is an on-off switch for the overdrive, mounted on the shifter. Part of the versatility offered in those vans of the M-word variety, and found on the Relay, are the optional dual power sliding side doors. Not only do these make it easy to load and unload passengers, it is very convenient when your arms are full of packages.

The Relay will help fill out the model range for Saturn and is a precursor for what is to come to the brand in the near future. Look for a two-seat roadster that will fill you heart with excitement, a large sport utility vehicle that will fulfill that space that Saturn has never visited and a new large sedan that will offer much more than one would have thought a Saturn vehicle would.

For now, however, the Relay will begin the process and no doubt bring new vitality to the Saturn family--and perhaps your family as well.