Test drive: 2007 Saturn Aura
Happy New Year, everyone!
When About.com Cars test driver BJ Killeen attended the Saturn Aura press preview a few weeks ago, she declared, "The dark days of Saturn are over." Of course, it's one thing to drive a car for a day; it's another to live with it for a week, and that's what I've just finished doing with Saturn's new mid-size European-bred wunderkind.
I agree with BJ that this is definitely the best Saturn car ever. But is it enough to see off competitors like the mighty Toyota Camry? Hmmm, not sure about that. For the details, check out my 2007 Saturn Aura test drive. I've also posted a 2007 Saturn Aura photo gallery. And as always, I'm anxious to get your take on the new Saturn Aura -- click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
Once again, Aaron, you’re on drugs. Why would you want a four-cylinder when you can have a V-6 with better power and equally as good fuel economy? Four-cylinder engines are for those who can’t afford anything else. Here’s a Saturn with great performance at a four-cylinder price. Also, the interior isn’t depressing; it’s going for a more upscale look. Will it suit everyone? No, but neither will any other vehicle on the road. Give credit where it’s due: the Saturn is an outstanding vehicle for the price.
15% better fuel economy? So that means 2 or 3 more mpg, which is all subjective depending on how you drive. Not worth giving up the extra power in my opinion, and if you ask the majority of car buyers if they’d rather have a V6 or an I4, I can guarantee they’d all want the six. Same goes for choosing between V6 and V8. Everyone always wants more performance. And not just to drive faster. For safety merging, for tow capacity, etc.
I agree w/ you Aaron: Fuel economy is at the very top of my list when I look for a new car, and ever since I traded up from an ‘85 Toyota Tercel wagon to a ‘98 Saturn SW 1, I’ve never had a complaint about power. 100 hp is plenty in an economy car. That SW1 was 3 Saturns ago, now. I’ve loved 2 of them(the ‘98 and my ‘05 Ion)and hated 2 of them (the ‘00 SW2 and the ‘03 LW200), and really hope that this one will be offered with a decent mileage engine (meaning it has to get as good as I get with my ‘05 Ion – 35mpg on the highway, 26 in the city) minimum, soon. This sounds like a decent car (I like especially the non-stuff crushing trunk set up), but I won’t buy one with a V6, period.
I really like the styling of the XR sedan. I agree with the previous writers in that I would not buy this car without the V-6. On today’s busy freeways, you need that power when merging or if you are driving the two lanes.
I think Saturn has a winner here. This car is much nicer than the Pontiac G6 and less expensive than the Buick LaCrosse.
I still don’t buy the “six cylinders are better than four” argument. Today’s four cylinders are optimized for good passing and merging power; you just can’t be afraid to use the gas pedal. And at 12,000 miles per year and $2.75 per gallon, 25 MPG vs. 20 MPG can save a driver about $330 per year — or one month’s car payment free.
Maybe we should do an article on this — the real-world fuel savings of a 4-cyl vs. a V6. Hmmm.
Aaron: you’re on. Let’s take a four and a six cylinder, do some freeway merging runs together, some fuel economy loops together, and some passing runs, and we’ll put this to bed once and for all…