Saturn’s Vue has some juice. The new 250-horsepower V-6, bought from Honda, produces 69 more horsepower than the engine it replaces, and that’s more than enough horsepower to get your attention.

In addition to the new engine, the Vue is now available in a performance-tuned, Red Line version, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The test vehicle was an all-wheel-drive model, and its sticker price was $29,100.

Saturn plans a whole line of Red Line-badged performance models. The Vue Red Line has 18-inch wheels, a lowered suspension and aerodynamic bodywork. The electronic power steering is reconfigured to give it better road feel. Red Line Vues are available in black, silver or electric lime colors. The electric lime test car was very bright, and I think it would get tiresome pretty quickly. For a low profile, choose black or silver.

Red Line models have a monochromatic paint scheme. Door handles and rearview mirrors are painted the same color as the rest of the body. The front fascia is deep and square, and the grille outlets are filled with black mesh.

While a performance-oriented SUV might seem like a contradiction, it’s not quite as puzzling as it might seem. Few, if any, small SUVs every travel off road, and in the city most drivers like to feel some energy under their right foot.

The new powertrain also boosts the Vue’s towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, and that’s enough for a small camper, watercraft or motorcycle trailer.

Saturn says the Vue can be “flat towed,” meaning that hauling it behind an RV will not cause mechanical damage.

The Vue is Saturn’s first non-car. It will be joined by a minivan later in the year.

The Vue seats five people, although the back seat is not overly generous. The split-folding back seat gives a variety of cargo hauling options.

The optional $695 leather interior enhanced the overall feel of the interior. The front seats were pretty flat. I would prefer larger side supports.

The instrument panel has attractive cream-colored gauges, but its surface textures don't measure up to the vehicle's price tag. Power window buttons are located on the center console, which I don't like. The cup holders are down low between the front seats

The test car had heated seats, satellite radio and power sunroof. The satellite radio requires a monthly fee. Three audio systems are offered. Two are capable of playing CDs with MP3 files, while the other can play a CD or DVD with MP3 files. MP3 files enable more music to be recorded onto a single disc.

A rear-seat DVD system will be available about the middle of the year. This system will include wireless headphones so rear passengers can listen to a CD or watch a movie while front-seat passengers can use the car’s regular audio system.

Saturn’s dent- and rustfree plastic side body panels are handy, but they can’t be made to fit as tightly as metal, and sizable gaps are obvious around the doors and tailgate.