Photos: 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line

OnStar acts as a catchall subscription-based replacement for major cabin tech components such as navigation and hands-free calling. Navigation directions are shown on the Vue Green Line's monochrome display.

The interior of the Vue Green Line in its entry-level trim is something of a mishmash of materials. Matte charcoal plastic covers the central stack, accented by faux carbon-fiber strips and soft molded plastic for the top of the dash.

Drivers can shift the Vue Green Line's four-speed transmission themselves using two buttons on the side of the shifter.

The Vue Green Line's standard stereo includes an auxiliary input jack letting drivers hook up their iPods.

The Vue Green Line's stereo features a very useful interface for navigating folders and files on MP3 discs. Hard buttons along the bottom of the monochrome display are an intuitive way of tabbing between folders, artists, and albums.

The 2008 Vue Green Line may share most of the tech features of the original model but its exterior design shows that Saturn has spent a busy twelve months at the drawing board. Gone is the square-cut back end and unsightly plastic grille treatment up front, it is replaced by a curved profile and color-coded paintwork.

In its base configuration, the Vue Green Line is still technically the cheapest hybrid SUV, just beating out the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid for the title.

The Vue Green Line's Belt Alternator Starter hybrid system works by replacing the belt-driven alternator and starter motor with an electric motor that serves as a generator and a motor. In the Vue Green Line, this motor/generator is hooked up to a 36-volt NiMH battery, and is used to assist the engine.

The redesigned 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line features a stylish exterior design, with a more curvaceous profile, a color-coded front fascia, and as-standard 17-inch wheels.

The Vue Green Line comes with three months of XM Satellite Radio for free.