Not long ago, hybrid vehicles could be pinpointed from miles away. The Honda Insight is the perfect example, with its rear wheel skirts, tapered tail, tiny tires, and disc-like wheel covers. Toyota’s Prius is another one, past and present versions, that appeals to buyers interested in equal parts efficiency and social awareness. However, recent introductions, such as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid, have toned things down considerably, with visual cues limited largely to a few badges or a unique set of alloy wheels. It’s along this same vein that 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line travels, looking much like a regular Vue, albeit with standard alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, strategically-placed badges, and chrome strips on the lower sides of the fascias. Inside, differentiating gas from hybrid models is similarly difficult, as the only distinctive points are the hybrid’s Charge/Assist gauge, the green A/C button, “Auto-Stop” and “Off” script on the speedometer, and an Eco light that flashes when current mileage is surpassing EPA mpg estimates. Curiously missing is an actual trip computer that displays average and instant miles per gallon, something buyers so obviously interested in fuel economy will miss considerably.

The 2007 Green Line does get the freshened interior first introduced on the 2006 Saturn Vue. The dash has been updated for a more attractive look, and the materials, known for feeling especially flimsy and cheap, have supposedly been upgraded. We found them to be a slight improvement, though all except the dash cap are hard and grainy, suggesting that the interior is one area Saturn chose to keep costs down for that sub-$23,000 starting price.