Saturn Aura Review

2009 Saturn Aura XR Sedan Shown

For years, Saturn built mundane cars that looked and felt -- for lack of a better word -- cheap. Its midsize family sedans were no exception. Rumors continue to swirl regarding the demise of the brand, but the Saturn Aura persists as a reminder that just a few years ago, Saturn seemed to be in the midst of a turnaround. The Euro-influenced Aura has a distinctly sporty edge in both design and performance. After years of bringing up the rear in the midsize sedan market, Saturn finally has a true competitor.

Current Saturn Aura

Available in two trim levels -- XE and XR -- the Saturn Aura is one of the more distinctive midsize sedans on the market. It is built on a stretched version of General Motors' "Epsilon" platform and has a surprising amount of rear-seat legroom. In fact, there are many things that may surprise buyers, including the Aura's excellent design sensibility. The cabin is nicely styled, with just the right amount of (faux) wood trim or metallic accents.

The XE trim comes with 17-inch wheels (alloy wheels are available as an option) and a 2.4-liter, 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, StabiliTrak stability control and a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack also come standard.

The XR comes standard with the four-cylinder but boasts an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, which bumps power up to 252 hp. A six-speed automatic transmission is mandatory here as well. Other standard features on the XR include 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seating, a power driver seat, heated front seats, Bluetooth and a premium stereo with eight speakers and a six-CD changer. A navigation system is not available with the Aura, even as an option.

In reviews, our editors have found that the Saturn Aura matches up well with other cars in its class, though it's hardly a leader. The pickup from the 3.6-liter V6 is strong, and the Aura offers a nice balance of tight, precise handling characteristics and comfort. However, the Aura is not free of flaws, as we've found that the steering could use some work -- it has an artificial weighty feel that tends to be vague at speed and too heavy in parking lots. Notably, our long-term Saturn Aura tester was prone to shop visits for a variety of reasons, including several nagging steering problems. Other complaints were mostly limited to nitpicking interior fit and finish, a reminder that, while the Aura is miles ahead of previous Saturn offerings, there are still some things that could use more attention.

Used Saturn Aura Models

The Saturn Aura debuted for the 2007 model year. The four-cylinder engine was added for 2008. Prior to 2009, a 3.5-liter V6 with 224 hp was optional on the XE, a four-speed automatic was mandatory on all but the top-level XR (which only came with the 3.6-liter V6), Bluetooth was unavailable and stability control was standard on V6-powered models only.

SELECT A SPECIFIC SATURN AURA MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.