Used 2007 Saturn Relay

The Relay joined Saturn’s line-up last year in an attempt to help keep growing families in Saturn vehicles. Based heavily on the standard GM minivan platform (think Chevrolet Uplander and Buick Terraza), the Relay gains a touch of Saturn sensibility with handsome European-like styling and a lovely, upscale interior. Short of owner loyalty, however, there is little about the Relay that makes it stand out in an already competitive field. The minivans from Honda and Toyota, for example, are newer designs that hold better resale values, while vans from Hyundai and Kia offer more interior space, more safety features, more standard equipment and a better standard warranty.

The Relay’s 240-horsepower 3.9-liter V6 pulls strongly off the line and provides the low-end torque needed for passing and merging. The engine is smooth and silent, even at full throttle. The front-wheel-drive layout works well for this type of vehicle, providing good traction in rain and snow. Steering and braking have been greatly improved over the old Venture, Silhouette and Montana minivans on which the Relay is based. The smaller size and narrow footprint make the Relay feel easier to maneuver than the larger competitors from Nissan, Chrysler and Honda.

If all GM vehicles took their interior styling cues from the Relay team, the company would never hear another complaint about interior design and quality. French-stitched seams on the door panels and seats, a handsome dash and instrument cluster design and a hefty dose of sound-deadening insulation make life with the Relay anything but mundane.

The Relay’s long hood and added C-pillar are intended to make it look like an SUV. The sliding side doors betray the Relay’s minivan origins, but overall the look is quite appealing. Saturn’s grille, headlamp and wheel treatment are simple yet somewhat elegant and, in our opinion, work best with this shared GM platform.

Classy Interior
The elegant dash and door panel designs truly make the Relay feel special inside.

Optional Remote Start
The optional remote start lets you start the vehicle from as far away as 500 feet.

The Relay 1 includes front air conditioning, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), StabiliTrak stability control, traction control, power locks, power windows, dual sliding side doors, automatic headlamp control, AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3, tilt wheel and full wheel covers. The Relay 2 adds a rear defroster, rear air conditioning, overhead rail system, DVD entertainment, keyless entry, dual heated power mirrors, cruise control, rear wiper/washer and 17-inch wheels. The Relay 3 adds rear air conditioning, alarm system, garage door opener, second row captain’s chair seating, six-way power driver’s seat, front side-impact airbags and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with touch controls.

Options include remote start, automatic level control, sport suspension, PhatNoise entertainment system, power sliding side doors, second-row side-impact airbags (Relay 3), heated leather seats and a Trailering Package.

The standard 3.9-liter engine features variable valve timing, which helps improve torque at low speeds and fuel economy when cruising at higher speeds. Compared to the previous 3.5-liter engine, the new V6 is quieter, more refined and helps the Relay achieve horsepower and torque figures near the segment’s class leaders.

3.9-liter V6
240 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
240 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25