New and upcoming hybrids

Saturn Vue Green Line Pictured here is the Vue Green Line that will hit showrooms in the last quarter of this year, armed with GM's advanced two-mode powertrain that's currently only in the Tahoe and Yukon SUVs. Right now, we've got the Vue with the same hybrid system as the Aura and Malibu sedans. For $4,120 more than the $22,150 front-wheel drive Vue, the Green Line offers a 25/32 rating, 31 percent and 23 percent better for city and highway, respectively. Acceleration is timid at best, with 60 mph coming in a hair under 11 seconds. Blame the porky 3,789 pound curb weight on that one. It's a well-packaged and solid compact SUV overall, as long as you don't need all-wheel drive. But buyers should really avoid the current model and wait - the two-mode system promises better mileage and acceleration (7.3 seconds to 60 mph). Pricing might increase by $1,000, but this hybrid system is definitely worth it. (GM)

Saturn Vue Green Line

Pictured here is the Vue Green Line that will hit showrooms in the last quarter of this year, armed with GM's advanced two-mode powertrain that's currently only in the Tahoe and Yukon SUVs.

Right now, we've got the Vue with the same hybrid system as the Aura and Malibu sedans. For $4,120 more than the $22,150 front-wheel drive Vue, the Green Line offers a 25/32 rating, 31 percent and 23 percent better for city and highway, respectively. Acceleration is timid at best, with 60 mph coming in a hair under 11 seconds. Blame the porky 3,789 pound curb weight on that one.

It's a well-packaged and solid compact SUV overall, as long as you don't need all-wheel drive. But buyers should really avoid the current model and wait - the two-mode system promises better mileage and acceleration (7.3 seconds to 60 mph). Pricing might increase by $1,000, but this hybrid system is definitely worth it.

(GM)