Background: Saturn, General Motors' small-car division, is also the world's largest automaker's newest division. The upstart Saturn Corp. began selling vehicles in select markets in the early 1990s as a viable domestic competitor to smaller-sized imports including the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. During the decade as the number of sale outlets grew, Saturn evolved into a customer-friendly carmaker known for its one-price policy, after-the-sale support and folksy, sometimes hooky television commercials. Saturn continually ranks at the top of customer satisfaction surveys; a noble feat for a company marketing compact vehicles. Most top finishers in these indexes are luxury carmakers such as Toyota's Lexus division, who demand in the neighborhood of $40,000 for their wares. The division got its name from the Saturn rockets that carried Americans to the moon. Currently, all Saturns are assembled in Spring Hill, Tenn.
Trim levels: Saturn markets seven front-wheel drive automobiles: three four-door sedans (SL, SL1 and SL2), two two-door coupes (SC1, SC2) and two four-door station wagons (SW1, SW2.) We test drove the five-seat, Saturn SL1 .
New for '98: The biggest news for Saturn sedan customers concerns price. Manufacturer suggested retail price for a 1998 Saturn SL1 sedan is actually $300 less than 1997 prices.
Engine: Two different 1.9-liter, four cylinder engines power Saturn sedans. Our test-drive SL1 featured the 100-horsepowered, single overhead cam powertrain. The entry-level SL includes the same engine. Acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour is 10.5 seconds with manual transmission. The slightly upscale SL2 includes the more powerful, double overhead cam engine delivering 124 horsepower.
Standard equipment: Manual transmission is standard in all Saturns. The entry-level SL is the only model that automatic transmission is not offered. Tilt steering wheel, rear window defogger, intermittent wipers tinted glass and remote fuel and decklid releases come standard in all sedans. Air conditioning is standard in upgraded SL2, SC2 and SW2 Saturns, while a $960 extra in other trim levels. The SL1 adds power steering, upgraded interior trim and dual outside mirrors. The SL2 includes variable-assist power steering, sport suspension and driver-seat height adjustment.
Optional equipment: Since Saturn currently markets compact vehicles, optional equipment is plentiful. By offering options, Saturn can keep starting prices relatively low. An upgraded sound system (four different packages are available) is a SL trim level option. The SL1 trim level adds automatic transmission ($860), cruise control ($290), remote door locks with remote security system and power sunroof ($695) as options. The SL2 wish list includes fog lamps, decklid spoiler, leather interior and 15-inch alloy wheels.
Price: Our test drive SL1 had a manufacturers suggested retail price of $11,295. With a $2,055 options including power locks/remote keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes and AM/FM cassette stereo, the bottom line added up to $14,805 including a $440 destination charge.
Safety features: Daytime running lamps, reduced force dual front air bags, five-mile an hour front and rear bumpers, child safety rear door locks, front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel. Anti-lock brakes with traction control are a $695 option in all editions.
Interior: Saturn dashboards include large, easy-to-view at a glance speedometers and tachometers as part of their instrument cluster. For drivers learning to handle manual transmission, a dashboard arrow illuminates when a clutch push and upshift is recommended. An interior dome light control is left of the steering column. Controls are generally well laid out. The only placement out of the ordinary are the four power-window switches, which are positioned between the front bucket seats along with the hand-operated emergency brake and sideview mirror control. This allows the front passenger access to opening and closing all four windows. Large power lock buttons are found on the two front doors. One nice touch for both smokers and non-smokers is a portable ashtray. When not in use, the deep, cup-shaped bin can be removed and the spot becomes an additional cup holder. It's portable enough to be taken anywhere an ash tray is needed. On knock against Saturn during its formative years was too much engine noise seeped into the passenger compartment. Saturn managed to muffle some of the sound this model year with structural improvements to the engine block. Ventilation control, below the stereo system, include a dial control for fan speed, and levers for temperature and fan direction. Fuel and trunk release buttons are left of the driver's seat on the floor. Headlights operate from the turn signal stalk while windshield wipers activate from a thick, right-hand side steering column stalk.
Seating comfort: Four different interior fabric trim levels are available. Our SL1 featured standard cloth seating. A leather/cloth interior is available ins SL2 models while entry-level SLs come with a cloth/vinyl combo standard. Manually adjustable front bucket seats include built-in lumbar support. Both front seat riders have decent head and leg room. Even though it's a five-seater, two adults fit most comfortably in the rear where leg room is tight when front seats are moved back.
Exterior: One of Saturn's more notable features are the dent-resistant doors, quarter panels and front fenders. These polymer (plastic-like) panels don't rust, a very useful addition when considering Chicago is smack dab in the middle of the snow and road salt belt. The radio antenna is found on the right front fender. Fourteen-inch, all-season tires are standard in SL and SL1 editions. The SL2 edition includes 15-inch touring radial tires standard. Exterior sedan color choices include dark green, white, silver and medium red. The SL1 and SL2 trim level ad dark blue, silver plum, black and gold. Trunk: Trunk volume is 12.1 cubic feet in all three sedans. Since the back seat cushions incorporate a 60/40 split, cargo-carrying options increase. A temporary spare houses under the flat-floored trunk.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 102.4 inches Overall length: 176.9 inches Overall width: 66.7 inches Overall height: 55.0 inches Front head room: 39.3 inches Weight: 2,326 pounds
Fuel economy: Saturn's four-cylinder engines are not the most powerful on the road, but gas mileage is commendable. Our test-drive SL1 with the 100-horsepower engine coupled with manual transmission includes mile-per-gallon estimates of 28 city and 39 highway. With 8,000 odometer miles we averaged slightly better than 33 mpg in combined driving. When matched with an automatic transmission, fuel estimates drop slightly to 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. Saturns with the larger, 124 horsepower, 16-valve engine (SL2, SC2 and SW2) average 26 miles per gallon city, and 36 mpg highway with manual transmission; 24/34 with automatics. The tank holds 12.1 gallons of unleaded fuel.
Final thoughts: Small-car sales have taken a beating during the past several months at the expense of hot-selling, and significantly more expensive sport utility vehicles. Saturn is no exception. Sales were down about 10 percent during the 1997 calendar year. But don't put too much credence into these numbers. Saturn is an excellent choice for first-time buyers. Price-sensitive shoppers can purchase a new, entry-level SL sedan with air conditioning for about $12,000. Those wishing for more bells and whistles can spend upwards of $17,000 for a SL2 sedan fully loaded. Saturns are built for everyday driving and may not have as tight of a turning radius or quite as much engine refinement as some competitors. Saturn invests money and effort to make their overall car purchasing process a pleasant event. And quality dealer follow through after the sale provides peace of mind.
Although no target date is set, Saturn has committed to a new mid-size car. General Motors' Wilmington, Del. assembly plant, which currently churns out Chevrolet Malibus, will be home to the larger Saturn. Compact Saturns will continue to keep the Spring Hill Tenn. economy rolling. When Saturn finally adds a new mid-size offerings, satisfied clients will have a move-up vehicle at Saturn dealerships to consider when they're ready to trade in their compact editions. |