Ford Explorer vs Saturn Vue
The Saturn Vue is more fuel-efficient at 22 MPG combined, against 16 MPG for the Ford Explorer. At EPA assumptions that is about $1,150 less in fuel per year. (Comparison uses each model's most efficient version.)
Side by side
| Ford Explorer | Saturn Vue | |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints (NHTSA) | 1,369 | 879 |
| Most reported problem | Body & structure | Transmission |
| Crashes and fires | 70 and 10 | 42 and 16 |
| Typical mileage at complaint | 74,000 miles | 66,000 miles |
| Recalls | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel economy, combined | 16 MPG | 22 MPG |
| City and highway | 14 and 19 | 19 and 26 |
| Yearly fuel cost (EPA) | $4,200 | $3,050 |
What the numbers say
NHTSA has 1,369 complaints for the Ford Explorer and 879 for the Saturn Vue. Complaint counts depend heavily on how many of each vehicle were sold, so a higher count does not by itself mean a less reliable car.
Safety recalls on file: 2 for the Ford Explorer, 1 for the Saturn Vue.