Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Saturn Aura, Now with Four Cylinders

When General Motors debuted the Saturn Aura sedan last year with a base V-6 engine and a more powerful V-6 optional we were perplexed. If a company is going to sell a mid-size sedan to compete with the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, how could it not offer a lower priced four-cylinder option? GM explained its new Chevy Malibu would offer a full range, leaving Saturn with some exclusivity with a still-affordable V-6 lineup.

GM has changed course, however. For the 2008 model year the Aura will come with a four-cylinder engine in the XE-4 model. The XE-6 will also be made with the same standard 3.5-liter V6 it did last year. There is also a hybrid version of the Aura called the Green Line. That raises another question. The Saturn Green Line gets 24/32 mpg in city and highway driving while the EPA lists the new four-cylinder XE at 22/30. Will shoppers pay more for so little improvement at the pump? Prices and availability have not been announced but expect the new XE-4 to cost less than the 2007 XE which started at $20,345.