Saturn Relay

Saturn Relay: which version to buy

The Saturn Relay is a one-generation Minivan sold from 2005 through 2007. If the question is which Relay to buy, the catalogue is four Automatic versions only: two 3.5 AT gasoline V-shaped sixes and two 3.9 AT gasoline V-shaped sixes, split by FWD versus AWD.

The Saturn Relay is a one-generation Minivan sold from 2005 through 2007. If the question is which Relay to buy, the catalogue is four Automatic versions only: two 3.5 AT gasoline V-shaped sixes and two 3.9 AT gasoline V-shaped sixes, split by FWD versus AWD. There is no second generation to “wait for,” no restyle as a separate generation, and no measured 0–100, mpg, or ground-clearance figure to hide a weak drivetrain. The buying decision is arithmetic on power, torque, displacement, kerb weight, and drive.

Generations: one generation, four specs

1 generation (2005–2007), Minivan, 4 versions. All four share the same production window, the same 4-speed Automatic, the same 177 km/h top speed, a 95-litre tank, front Independent, spring and rear Semi-independent, spring suspension, and disc brakes front and rear. Nothing in the data marks a mid-cycle restyle as a new generation.

What changes between versions is the engine and the driven wheels:

• 3.5 AT — 198 hp (146 kW) at 5600 rpm, 289 Nm at 3200 rpm, 3496 cm³, AWD, kerb 2120 kg
• 3.5 AT — 204 hp (150 kW) at 5600 rpm, 293 Nm at 4000 rpm, 3496 cm³, FWD, kerb 1970 kg
• 3.9 AT — 238 hp (175 kW) at 5600 rpm, 324 Nm at 4400 rpm, 3880 cm³, FWD, kerb 1995 kg
• 3.9 AT — 238 hp (175 kW) at 5600 rpm, 324 Nm at 4400 rpm, 3880 cm³, AWD, kerb 1995 kg

Two rows share the name 3.5 AT; distinguish them by 198 hp versus 204 hp. Two rows share the name 3.9 AT; distinguish them by FWD versus AWD (both 238 hp).

Engine and specs

All four engines are Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.8. Bore × stroke is 94 × 84 mm on both 3.5 AT rows and 99 × 84 mm on both 3.9 AT rows.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 3.5 AT 198 hp → 56.6 hp/l; 3.5 AT 204 hp → 58.4 hp/l; both 3.9 AT 238 hp / 3.880 l → 61.3 hp/l. The larger engine is not only bigger; it is the densest of the four.

Peak torque arrives later as displacement and output rise: 3200 rpm on the 198 hp 3.5 AT, 4000 rpm on the 204 hp 3.5 AT, 4400 rpm on both 3.9 AT. The 198 hp AWD 3.5 AT is the only row that puts maximum torque in the lower half of the rev range.

Performance, mpg, and what is not measured

0–100 km/h: not measured on every version. Top speed: 177 km/h on every version — 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD, 3.5 AT 204 hp FWD, 3.9 AT FWD, and 3.9 AT AWD. Extra horsepower does not buy a higher catalogue top speed. Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined): not measured. CO₂ / eco class: not measured. Fuel grade: not measured.

A buyer hunting “Relay mpg” will not find a litre/100 km or mpg number here. Economy cannot be used to rank versions. Performance ranking that is allowed from the data is mass per horsepower (kerb kg ÷ hp):

• 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD: 2120 / 198 = 10.71 kg/hp
• 3.5 AT 204 hp FWD: 1970 / 204 = 9.66 kg/hp
• 3.9 AT FWD: 1995 / 238 = 8.38 kg/hp
• 3.9 AT AWD: 1995 / 238 = 8.38 kg/hp

The lightest load per horsepower is either 3.9 AT. The heaviest is the 198 hp 3.5 AT AWD — 2.33 kg/hp more than a 3.9 AT, and 1.05 kg/hp more than the 204 hp 3.5 AT FWD.

Dimensions, weight, tank

Kerb weight is the only size-like number that separates the four:

• 3.5 AT 204 hp FWD: 1970 kg (lightest)
• 3.9 AT FWD: 1995 kg (+25 kg versus the light 3.5 AT)
• 3.9 AT AWD: 1995 kg (same kerb as 3.9 AT FWD)
• 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD: 2120 kg (+150 kg versus the 204 hp 3.5 AT; +125 kg versus either 3.9 AT)

Gross weight: not measured. Ground clearance: not measured. Wheel sizes: not measured. Fuel tank: 95 litres on all four.

AWD on the 3.5 AT costs 150 kg. AWD on the 3.9 AT costs 0 kg versus that engine’s FWD twin. If the goal is all-wheel drive without the heaviest kerb in the range, the data point to 3.9 AT AWD, not the 198 hp 3.5 AT.

Which version to choose

There is only 1 generation, so “which generation” is not a choice. The choice is which of four Automatic Gasoline minivans.

Choose the 204 hp 3.5 AT (FWD) if the priority is the lowest kerb. It is 1970 kg, 6 hp and 4 Nm above the other 3.5 AT, and 150 kg lighter than the 198 hp AWD 3.5 AT. Versus a 3.9 AT it gives up 34 hp and 31 Nm for a 25 kg saving. Displacement stays 3496 cm³. This is the lightest Relay in the table and the only 3.5 AT that is not the heaviest car in the line.

Choose a 3.9 AT if the priority is power and kg per hp. Both 3.9 AT rows make 238 hp (175 kW) and 324 Nm from 3880 cm³ — 40 hp and 35 Nm more than the 198 hp 3.5 AT, 34 hp and 31 Nm more than the 204 hp 3.5 AT. Displacement is 384 cm³ larger. Specific output is 61.3 hp/l versus 56.6–58.4 hp/l on the 3.5s. Kerb is 1995 kg either way: 25 kg more than the light 3.5 AT, 125 kg less than the heavy AWD 3.5 AT. FWD versus AWD on 3.9 AT does not change hp, Nm, or kerb; it only changes drive.

Choose 3.9 AT AWD if the priority is AWD without the 2120 kg penalty. Compared with 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD, the 3.9 AT AWD is 40 hp and 35 Nm stronger and 125 kg lighter, with the same 177 km/h top speed, same 4-speed Automatic, same 95-litre tank. That is the clearest “what the extra engine buys” result in the data: more output and less mass, not a trade.

Choose 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD only if AWD is mandatory and the 3.9 AT AWD is not available. It is the sole 3.5 with AWD, the only engine with peak torque at 3200 rpm, and the only version at 2120 kg. It is also the weakest specific output (56.6 hp/l) and the worst kg/hp (10.71). The 6 hp / 4 Nm gap to the other 3.5 AT is small; the 150 kg gap is not.

Problems and reliability. The launch data do not list faults, recalls, or durability scores. What can be said without inventing numbers: every version uses No boost, the same 4-speed Automatic, the same 2 valves per cylinder, and the same compression 9.8. There is no turbo to choose around and no extra gear ratio in a later generation. Reliability ranking by generation is not possible with one generation.

Bottom line from the numbers. For the lightest kerb: 3.5 AT 204 hp FWD (1970 kg). For the best kg/hp and the most hp and Nm: either 3.9 AT (8.38 kg/hp, 238 hp, 324 Nm). For AWD: 3.9 AT AWD over 3.5 AT 198 hp AWD, because AWD arrives 125 kg lighter and 40 hp stronger. Top speed does not break the tie: 177 km/h across the board. 0–100, mpg, clearance, wheels, and gross weight remain not measured, so they cannot be used to pick a Relay.