It's no secret I prefer cars that can be thrown around by the seat of one's pants and Ion falls nicely into the category. It was fun to drive in the corners, relaxing on the expressway, supplied enough power to handle a load on uphill climbs without strain. The price is quite reasonable though fuel mileage is merely average at 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway.
A real plus for Saturn is the use of plastic polymer body panels. They're light, resist minor dents and scratches, never rust, are easy to replace. GM has experimented with this material since the Fieros of the mid-80s, including it also on the 1st-generation Pontiac TransSport. It was dropped from the 2nd generation, suggesting a lack of commitment, but at least Saturn has held the faith.
Unfortunately I noticed lapses in refinement and areas where cost-savings had been enforced: a poor fit in some interior panels, uneven upholstery edges showing where they shouldn't have been, visible screws in the front door interior hand grips and in our test car, water vapour inside a headlight lens. So while I wanted to become a Saturn fan, these gaps plus the uncomfortable seats left me disappointed.
By all means test one yourself but remember, compromise is a tough master.
Check prices at Edmunds.
