2002 Oldsmobile Aurora

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(4.7) 12 reviews
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2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
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Key Specs

of the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Sedan See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    22 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    215-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    4-speed automatic w/OD
  • View more specs

2002 Oldsmobile Aurora Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
A navigation-assistance radio is optional in the 2002 Aurora, which gets chrome exhaust tips and a trunk-entrapment release lever. Redesigned with a fresh look as a very early 2001 model, Oldsmobile’s full-size near-luxury sedan slimmed down in size and gained a V-6 engine option to join the original V-8. The V-6 version was priced lower and was intended to make the Oldsmobile brand more appealing to import-oriented shoppers. Oldsmobile first launched the Aurora back in 1995 but sought higher sales for the latest version.

In December 2000, General Motors announced that the Oldsmobile brand would be phased out, but the Aurora is expected to remain on sale for some time. It serves as the largest Oldsmobile on the market and is a model that has no direct relative in other GM divisions.

Exterior
New styling for 2001 retained the muscular look of the original Aurora, but the sedan became more conservative in overall shape in an attempt to broaden its attractive powers. Its resemblance to other Oldsmobiles is most evident up front, but the large taillights are suggestive of Jaguar’s back lights. Rear fog lamps are among the standard features.

Built on a new front-drive platform for 2001, the Aurora rides a 112.2-inch wheelbase and measures 199.3 inches long overall, 72.9 inches wide and 56.7 inches tall. Cast-aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires on V-6 models, and V-8 models come with 17-inchers.

Interior
The Aurora has seats for five passengers and sufficient ...
Vehicle Overview
A navigation-assistance radio is optional in the 2002 Aurora, which gets chrome exhaust tips and a trunk-entrapment release lever. Redesigned with a fresh look as a very early 2001 model, Oldsmobile’s full-size near-luxury sedan slimmed down in size and gained a V-6 engine option to join the original V-8. The V-6 version was priced lower and was intended to make the Oldsmobile brand more appealing to import-oriented shoppers. Oldsmobile first launched the Aurora back in 1995 but sought higher sales for the latest version.

In December 2000, General Motors announced that the Oldsmobile brand would be phased out, but the Aurora is expected to remain on sale for some time. It serves as the largest Oldsmobile on the market and is a model that has no direct relative in other GM divisions.

Exterior
New styling for 2001 retained the muscular look of the original Aurora, but the sedan became more conservative in overall shape in an attempt to broaden its attractive powers. Its resemblance to other Oldsmobiles is most evident up front, but the large taillights are suggestive of Jaguar’s back lights. Rear fog lamps are among the standard features.

Built on a new front-drive platform for 2001, the Aurora rides a 112.2-inch wheelbase and measures 199.3 inches long overall, 72.9 inches wide and 56.7 inches tall. Cast-aluminum wheels hold 16-inch tires on V-6 models, and V-8 models come with 17-inchers.

Interior
The Aurora has seats for five passengers and sufficient headroom and legroom for taller folks in the front and rear. The back cushion is low and its seatback is reclined, which might not please everyone who sits in the rear. A wide opening makes it easy to load and unload the trunk, which has a capacity of 14.9 cubic feet. A small pass-thru from the trunk to the backseat allows owners to carry long objects. GM’s OnStar communication system is standard.

Under the Hood
The Aurora’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine develops 215 horsepower and is the same engine used in the midsize Oldsmobile Intrigue. The 4.0-liter V-8 power plant is rated at 250 hp. Both engines work with a four-speed-automatic transmission and can run on regular gasoline.

Safety
Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction control and side-impact airbags for the front seats. Active front head restraints move up and forward in a collision to reduce the chance of whiplash injury. All five seating positions have three-point lap-and-shoulder safety belts.

Driving Impressions
The V-6 engine performs almost as potently as the V-8, though passing power is greater with the latter. It actually ranks as more vigorous than most owners need. With either engine, the Aurora is a highly pleasing road car that has a light overall feel considering its still-ample dimensions. It handles with a very light touch. The bigger tires on the V-8-powered version produce a stiffer, less absorbent ride that can get tedious when traveling through rough pavement.
 
Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2002 Buying Guide

View 18 Photos

Latest 2002 Aurora Stories

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Consumer Reviews

4.7
12 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.8)
Performance
(4.5)
Interior Design
(4.8)
Comfort
(4.9)
Reliability
(4.4)
Value For The Money
(4.8)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Very nice car

by Aurora 2002 from Seattle on April 2, 2018

Picked up a brand new 2002 4.0 Aurora back in autumn 2001. Black with dark gray interior and 17" chrome wheels. Loaded expect for navigation because the Bose stereo was only available w/out the ... Read full review

(5.0)

great car

by bignate from stilwell on August 9, 2014

i brought this kind of car a year it 12,0000 now 14,0000 i love this when i first got it needed some work but all that bad great on gas for young people in college like myself great sound system i ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora currently has 2 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Aurora received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker