Nothing but the best
It wasn’t a fluke that the Saturn Aura was voted 2007 North American Car of the Year — this car is “best” no matter what it’s compared to.
It’s not just the best of the class of 2007 (most Car of the Year awards revolve around new or significantly changed models, not every model in the market place) but probably the best in its segment (which includes the highly decorated Toyota Camry and Honda Accord).
It’s probably the best family sedan General Motors has ever produced (when you take into account not just space and functionality, but also looks and fit and finish), and as such, it is undoubtedly the best Saturn ever.
And to my eyes, it is the best of the Epsilon platform that has also been used (in two iterations) for the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu MAXX, Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra and Signum, Cadillac BLS and Fiat Croma.
Aura uses the extended version of the platform, which is why there are size differences to the European sedans (Vectra, BLS, 9-3) and the previous generation of Malibu.
The larger foundation works nicely to give Aura not just more interior space than many of its rivals, but also to give it a more substantial road presence. It looks bigger than its rivals, although it is four inches shorter than the new Accord and less than an inch longer than the new Camry.
Where it really makes an impact, though, is in wheelbase, where it has the edge on just about all its competitors. This translates directly into a smoother ride, which is a big win over the offshore manufacturers that for years have been praised for their advances in smooth rides.
Befitting a European sedan, the suspension is tuned to a firmer note, which means you’ll hear a bit more bump-and-thump than you’ve come to expect from GM. It’s more sports-sedanish in overall feel — firmer for sportier handling, but still able to soothe out most everyday road imperfections — so it may not be up to everybody’s tastes, but those people will also discover a new dimension in family-car handling.
Interior legroom is quite good despite Aura’s being dimensionally equal to its rivals. The one big plus is the scooping out of the front seatbacks, which claims quite a bit more space for knees without having to shorten up the rear seat cushion (a traditional sleight-of-hand performed by many companies). The result is that you not only have more room back there, you also feel more comfortable — and comfort is one of the selling points of family sedans.
The other selling point is affordability, both at the purchase stage and during the ownership phase.
Originally introduced in 2007, Aura was powered by two variable-valve timed V6 engines but for 2008, the entry level car gets fitted with GM’s 2.4-litre Ecotec four-cylinder.
That grants a whole new level of competitiveness to Aura, whose reasonable V6-engined cars had been forced to counter the lower MSRPs of the Japanese four-cylinder models.
Starting at $24,240, the new Aura XE is more than up to the value-challenge presented by the $25,090 Accord ($26,290, with automatic) and the $25,900 Camry.
The engine has been traditionally slagged for its roughness, but it has been updated nicely and in this car provides a reasonable mix of refinement and aural stimulation.
It’s also reasonable on the power front, with its estimated (according to the same engine in the new Chev Malibu) 169 hp and 160 lb.-ft. of torque slotting it in roughly in the middle of all its competitors.
About the only time you wish you had the V6 under the hood is under full-out acceleration, where the driver is asking the engine to deliver more than it is able. Take it prudently, though, and the four delivers understandably under just about all requirements.
At the pump, it’s comparable to just about all its competitors with the exception of Camry ... but then very few cars can match Toyota’s engine development.
But if you compare everything you get in this new entry-level Aura — good looks inside and out, interior room, reasonable handling, smooth ride, large trunk, good fuel economy and an attractive purchase price — it adds up to a really, really good purchase ... really!
Fact File
2008 Saturn Aura XE
As tested, before tax: $26,540
Options: 1SC package includes power sunroof ($1,195), power driver’s seat ($475), XM satellite radio ($260), steering wheel with audio and cruise controls ($175), premium paint ($115), engine block heater ($65) and front licence plate bracket ($15).
Freight: $1,250
Configuration: front engine/front-wheel drive sedan
Engine/Transmission: 2.4L I4/4-speed automatic
Horsepower: 169 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 160 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm
Fuel required: 61 litres, regular
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 9.6 city; 6.5 hwy.
Observed fuel economy: 8.9 L/100 km combined over 720 km
Competition: Chrysler Sebring, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry
Strengths: Comfortable interior, affordable, European ride/handling
Weaknesses: Full-out acceleration
Find a dealer that sells the Saturn Aura
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