Saturn Aura
Tired Brand, Fresh Car |
By Rick Newman
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G forces: There are two V-6 engines to choose from, an older 224-horsepower model with a four-speed automatic transmission, and a more modern 252-horsepower version with an advanced six-speed transmission with paddle shifters. Opt for the latter if you can. It's fiery and quiet, with plenty of acceleration. The Aura has a great road feel, with a nice balance between sporty and sedate.
Gizmology: If there's a shortcoming, it's the dashboard controls and electronics. They're cleanly laid out and easy to use, but slightly cheap-feeling. And there's no central display with radio and climate info, like there is on the Camry and the Accord.
Kidmarks: The Aura is a practical family car, although rear cupholders are down by the floor, hard to reach. There are overhead lights in the back for reading, and map pockets where kids can stuff their gear. The trunk is big enough for a double stroller.
Hot or not: Hot. Elegant curves and clean styling give the Aura a classy look.
Pain at the pump: Modest. Mileage ranges from 20 mpg/city to 30 mpg/highway.
Crash course: The Aura earned 10 stars out of 10 on the government's frontal-crash test, and 10 out of 10 on the side-impact test. Rollover-resistance rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Standard safety gear: Advanced frontal air bags, side-impact, and side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, traction control.
Price points: Base prices range from $20,995 to $24,995. Price as tested: $26,820. (Prices include delivery.)
More info: http://www.saturn.com/saturn/
vehicles/aura/overview.jsp
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Model year tested: 2007
When was the last time you narrowed your car choices down to a Honda, a Toyota, and ... a Saturn? Never, probably. GM's chipper, consumer-friendly brand has suffered from dilapidated products for most of its history, with coupes and sedans positioned as bargain buys, not best-in-class. GM execs have been promising for a while that Saturn is going to get a serious makeover. Industry analysts have been skeptical.
GM is converting many of those skeptics. The Aura is actually what GM has said it would be—a meaningful competitor to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the two standard-setters for midrange sedans for the past decade. There are lots of good cars in this segment, like the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, and Mazda6. All have merits. And the Aura comes out looking good in comparison. The base model, which lists for about $21,000, comes with a 224-horsepower V-6 engine, compared with less powerful four cylinders in the entry-level versions of the Accord and Camry. Upgrading to a V-6 in the Japanese models lifts the price to $3,000 or more above the price of the Aura. Antilock brakes and side-curtain air bags are standard on the Aura—a move GM had resisted until lately. Steering and handling are firm and pleasant, unlike some of the other squishy rides in the GM lineup. And the Aura is quiet on the road—the mark of a grown-up car.
So Saturn must be cutting corners elsewhere to package all this into a car that undercuts the Accord and Camry on price, right? Well, not really. Some of the dashboard components could be more solid, and there's tacky fake stitching on some of the vinyl trim. But there's a full set of nice features on the base model, including a sliding center armrest, ambient lighting that cozies up the cabin at night, and all the power accessories you'd expect. The higher trim line, starting at about $25,000, includes a fancier V-6 with a slick six-speed automatic transmission, a remote-vehicle start that lets you turn the car on from your front porch, and stability control, a nice added measure of safety. It's been a long time since a GM sedan measured up to the strongest imports. If nothing else, go test-drive one, just to see the proof with your own eyes.
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