2007 Saturn Relay Review
The Saturn Relay was released in 2005. Marketed as a “crossover sport van,” the Relay is designed to draw in buyers with exterior styling that resembles a SUV more than a minivan. The Relay is a decidedly family-oriented vehicle, able to seat seven passengers, and has a number of entertainment options. 2007 marks the first and last model change for the Relay. Due to poor sales, General Motors won’t make the Relay for 2008.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
For families on a budget, the Saturn Relay provides the ability to carry seven people at a reasonable price. But with its poor safety and reliability, we can hardly recommend the Relay. Low power and poor handling add to its list of problems. For slightly more money, the Kia Sedona offers better value, or for a few thousand more, check out the infinitely superior Honda Odyssey.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
The Saturn Relay is a problematic vehicle, to say the least. It only received two out of five stars in J.D. Power and Associates initial quality survey. Problems that have plagued the Saturn Relay include inaccurate and malfunctioning OnStar systems, defective microchips, failing EGR valves, and stalling or non-starting engines. Expect below average reliability out of the Saturn Relay. The basic GM warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Saturn Relay earned five out of five stars in frontal collisions during government crash tests, and a total of four and a half stars for side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Relay its best “Good” rating for frontal impacts, an average “Marginal” rating for Relays with optional side airbags, its worst “Poor” rating for Relays without side airbags, and “Poor” for rear impacts. Anti-lock brakes, as well as stability and traction control are standard, but the Relay lacks other important safety features. Side airbags are optional, but only extend to the first and second rows, excluding the third. The Relay has been recalled three times: Once in 2005 for seat latches that could disconnect in the event of a side impact; again in 2005 for a malfunctioning parking brake, and in 2006 for inaccurate tire load labeling.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Less expensive than competitors
+ Nice looking exterior
+ Powered sliding door
Cons
– Poor reliability
– Lackluster safety
– Weak engine
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Saturn Relay has one main advantage over the competition: Price. On average, it’s much cheaper than its competitors, like the Honda Odyssey, which costs about $3,700 more. But the Honda Odyssey is a much safer vehicle, coming standard with side airbags and an automatic transmission. The Relay is also $1,400 cheaper than the Kia Sedona, but the Sedona throws in side airbags, third row seating, and a five speed automatic transmission for the extra cost. The one minivan on the market that the Relay can steadily beat in features is the Chrysler Town & Country, which costs about the same, but lacks anti-lock brakes, traction control, and features a weaker engine (3.9-liter, 240-hp vs. 3.3-liter, 170-hp). The Town and Country doesn’t offer any better fuel efficiency with the smaller engine, but it does come standard with third-row seating.
What Others Are Saying:
“The Saturn Relay’s standard 3.5-liter V6 is relatively smooth and quiet, but not particularly powerful, so you have to leave extra time and space for passing maneuvers…it still gets the job done, but isn’t exactly rippling with musculature.” – New Car Test Drive
“Although GM touts these vehicles as crossovers, any fool can see they’re minivans with large noses grafted on. They trail the competition in handling and drivetrain smoothness, but their cabins are much better than those of the GM vans they replaced in 2005.” – Car and Driver
“Saturn calls the Relay a transitional product. We really wanted GM to do a better job than this on its revised minivans, but there’s not a single class-leading feature, and some stuff is basically obsolete. We predict that only Saturn partisans, and maybe those wooed by the attractive financing offers and rebates, are going to want the only-OK Relay.” – AutomobileMag.com
