Is the Saturn Vue V-6 a Honda engine?
The short answer is no: the Saturn Vue’s V-6 engines were General Motors designs, not Honda-sourced powerplants. This article explains where the Vue’s V-6 came from, what engines were offered, and why rumors about Honda involvement persist.
The Saturn Vue, produced by Saturn (a GM division) from 2002 to 2009, offered V-6 options that GM developed and manufactured for use in multiple GM crossover models. There is no Honda engine in the Vue’s V-6 lineup, though the broader era saw various cross-brand collaborations within GM and with other automakers. The following sections lay out the engine origins and the main V-6 options that powered the Vue over its production run.
Engine origins
Understanding the Vue’s V-6 requires looking at General Motors’ powertrain strategy during the early to mid-2000s. GM produced the Vue’s V-6 engines in-house for use across several GM SUVs and crossovers, rather than sourcing them from Honda or other outside brands. This is why the Vue’s V-6 is generally described as GM-developed and -built rather than Honda-based.
Below is a concise overview of the two V-6 options that were commonly associated with the Saturn Vue during its production years. This list identifies the engines GM offered for the Vue, not third-party or Honda-supplied units.
- 3.0-liter V6: An early V-6 option in the Vue lineup, produced by GM for use in the initial Vue models alongside the four-cylinder options.
- 3.5-liter V6: A later, more common V-6 option adopted for Vue models in the mid-2000s and shared with other GM crossovers such as Rendezvous and Aztek.
In short, both V-6 engine options cited above were GM-designs used across multiple GM vehicles, reinforcing the Vue’s status as a GM product rather than a Honda-powered model.
Myth vs. reality
Some readers encounter rumors that the Vue’s V-6 came from Honda or that the Vue shared a Honda engine. The reality is straightforward: there was no Honda engine in the Saturn Vue’s V-6 lineup. The Vue’s V-6 engines were GM-designed and built, reflecting GM’s approach to powertrains for its range of SUVs and crossovers during that period.
- Myth: The Vue’s V-6 was a Honda engine.
- Reality: The Vue used GM-developed V-6 engines (3.0L and 3.5L) built for GM vehicles.
- Myth: Honda supplied engines for the Vue.
- Reality: There is no documentation indicating Honda supplied engines for the Saturn Vue V-6 lineup.
Ultimately, the Saturn Vue’s V-6 engines reflect GM’s internal engineering and manufacturing capabilities, not a Honda powerplant. While GM did engage in various collaborations with other automakers at different times, those partnerships did not translate into Honda-sourced engines for the Vue.
Summary
Bottom line: the Saturn Vue V-6 is not a Honda engine. It consists of GM-designed 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter V-6s used across multiple GM models, including the Vue. The confusion around Honda typically stems from broad industry collaborations and rumors, but the Vue’s V-6 remains a GM product through and through.
Did Honda make engines for Saturn?
Yep! The 2004-07 Vue could have a Honda J35 engine, called L66 by GM. Made almost 250 hp, which was a lot in a compact CUV for the time.
What kind of motor is in a Saturn Vue?
The Vue was produced trim levels with a four-cylinder (I4) or V6 gasoline engine and a manual or automatic transmission.
What is the most common problem with Saturn Vue?
Top Saturn Vue Problems
- Check Engine Light Due to Gas Cap Issue.
- Transmission Fault and/or Check Engine Light With Code P0716, P0776, P0717, P0777, P2714, P2715, and...
- Engine Oil Leak From Valve Cover Gaskets.
- DRL Resistor May Fail.
Does the Saturn Vue have a Honda engine?
Yes, the Saturn Vue used a Honda engine in some of its models, specifically the 3.5-liter V6 in the higher-end, performance-oriented "Red Line" versions from 2004 to 2007. This engine was the same J35 V6 used in other Honda vehicles like the Odyssey and Pilot. Other, non-V6 versions of the Vue used different, GM-built engines.
- Engine used: The Honda J35 3.5-liter V6 engine, rated at around 250 horsepower.
- Models: It was featured in the Vue Red Line, which also came with a Honda transmission.
- Other Vues: The four-cylinder models and some later V6 models (after 2007) used GM-built engines, not Honda's.
