2009 Saturn Aura Review

2009 Saturn Aura - Upscale style.

By: John Stein

There are a lot of things to like about the mid-size Saturn Aura XR sedan. This is one of General Motor's best kept secrets when it comes to high-quality sedan offerings and when you get a glimpse of the non-hybrid fuel economy numbers you will like it even more.

While Roger Penske has committed to buying the Saturn brand from GM, this outstanding domestic sedan value will continue to be pushed out of the GM plant through 2011. That means there is no reason to avoid the Aura in the short-term transition and even more reason to believe there will be plenty of parts and personnel to make repairs for decades.

My Aura XR had a bold signature styling that was both sporty and sophisticated. Aura XR has an upscale appearance that starts on the outside and moves into the interior. Aura's front end leads the way with a distinctive headlamp assembly and a classy chrome grille. The halogen headlamps wrap around the corner, pulling the sightline up over the roof and to the rear. My Aura XR featured 18-inch alloy rims that gave it a more aggressive stance than most mid-size sedans.

The Saturn Aura is such a good value, not just because of the refined surroundings offered inside, but 22 miles per gallon city and 33 highway (with regular fuel) is as good as any non-hybrid vehicle on the market this size.

First impressions of the Aura, including the inevitable double-take on the price tag, only serves up bigger smiles and better impressions. With a base price is $23,450, it is possible to get into one of these sedans with some nice options for about $26,000.

So, enough about the fancy looks and great fuel economy, let's talk a little bit about drivability. While it is certainly sporty compared to many drab offerings in this class, the Aura is not a sport sedan. One jump on the accelerator will prove that there is only so much fun that can come out of a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine (169 horsepower). There are three additional engines available for the Aura: a 2.4-liter I-4; a 3.5-liter V-6 and a 3.6-liter V-6. As you guessed it, with more horsepower comes less economy. I suggest every time you get passed on the left, you think about the fuel economy.

I found the XR to be a very quiet and comfortable ride most of the time. That four-cylinder was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. And while there was a bit of fun to be had (read: very little) in using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, four-speed automatic transmissions are more like dinosaurs than dynamic companions to any engine.

The interior has a refined sophistication. Sure, there are many hard plastic surfaces that are integrated into the cabin. While these are low-gloss materials that block sun glare, they manage to come off as more upscale than standard GM offerings.

My tester had a nice burl wood trim used on the face of the dash. Surrounding the center stack and traveling down past the shifter, it was a nice accent to the fine leather in the seats, steering wheel and shifter knob.

The Aura delivers power controls for the front seats, side view mirrors, and windows. Sightlines are very good in the Aura and most passengers found easy seating positions and plenty of head and leg room. Storage is ample in Aura's trunk. This one is huge and it easily swallowed three golf bags and enough golf balls to accommodate my brother-in-law's slicing tendencies.

My tester had XM Satellite radio incorporated into a standard six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system that delivered outstanding sound quality.

Midsize sedans often transport families and safety is always a concern. Saturn Aura has been given the highest five-star rating for both the driver and passenger in frontal crash tests. It also has a five-star rating for side crash and a four-star rating for rollovers.

Equipped with dual-stage airbags, head curtain side-impact airbags for front and rear passengers as well as front-seat side-impact airbags, the Saturn Aura is an exceptionally safe sedan.

My tester featured standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. It also had StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control that will be most appreciated throughout the fall and winter seasons.

While Saturn may be moving to the Penske Group, the quality of the Aura will remain in tact for the foreseeable future and it is worth looking into for a fuel-efficient sedan that delivers sporty styling and sophistication.

John Stein

John Stein grew up in an extended family that valued the art of going fast. Spending plenty of weekends at U.S. 30 Drag Strip and Sante Fe Speedway, he fondly remembers the screaming machines and the flying mud that made those long-gone racing havens such special memories. With plenty of late nights spent ‘tinkering’ with cars throughout high school, he never anticipated his interest cars and his love for writing might find a common ground. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 1988, John started writing for the weekly Southtown Economist. So, when the Economist went to a daily in 1994, and needed an auto editor, John took the proverbial steering wheel. Featured weekly in the Sun-Times and its 17 suburban publications, as well as ELITE Magazine, John balances being the Automotive Editor for Sun-Time Media with being a husband and dad in Plainfield, Illinois.

2009 Saturn Aura Review

2009 Saturn Aura - Upscale style.

John Stein

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