The great success of the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu maybe overshadowing another General Motors vehicle that’s equally as good: the Saturn Aura.
Built on the same architecture as the redesigned 2008 Malibu, the Aura actually arrived a year earlier, as an ’07 model.
Those who have bought the Aura are its biggest supporters, with most of them agreeing that it’s one of the best midsize sedans ever – from any automaker, not just from GM or the U.S. Big Three.
It’s a beautiful car, with the feel of a vehicle that costs a lot more than its price range would suggest – $22,430 to $26,925 (plus $650 freight).
Saturn introduced the car at the 2006 Detroit auto show, and even from a distance, it was an immediate attention-grabber. Upon getting close to it, I was surprised to find that it was a Saturn, or any GM product, for that matter. I was thinking something European.
Having a vehicle with this much style in the Saturn lineup was a surprise in itself. Introduced in 1990 as GM’s answer to the small Japanese cars of the day, the original Saturns were plain, economical and practical cars for people who cared less about style than affordability.
The brand blossomed for a while, but when it didn’t seem to grow along with the needs of its faithful followers, it began to languish.
Then came the Aura, which ushered in a new era at Saturn, and began the brand’s push to claim a more diverse consumer base.
Aura is eons ahead of the only previous Saturn midsize car, the L-series, and shows just how good an American car can be if the automaker puts its best efforts toward its creation.
With the Aura and some other new Saturn products, including the Outlook large crossover model, GM has begun moving the brand upscale in a belated attempt to satisfy the needs of former Saturn owners who needed more vehicle and were ready to pay more money to get it.
Even with the new focus, Saturn has retained its core values – quality manufacturing, no-haggle fixed pricing and solid-gold dealer service. But the vehicles in Saturn showrooms aren’t the boring little econoboxes of the original brand.
Saturn began the move toward sassier vehicles with the 2006 introduction of the Sky two-seat roadster, the first vehicle in the brand’s lineup that appealed to auto enthusiasts.
Next came the Aura, one of the best midsize sedans on the market. It was so well-received that the first model was voted “North American Car of the Year” for 2007 at the Detroit auto show.
The Aura takes the practical attributes of such appliance cars as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, then adds the kind of curb appeal that seems to be missing in most of those Japanese midsize sedans.
Our test vehicle was the midlevel four-cylinder XR model (base price $24,535 plus freight), which has been added to the Aura lineup for 2009.
For 2009, the XR comes with heated leather seats, making it as well-equipped as some entry luxury cars such as the Lexus ES 350, yet with a sticker price totaling just $25,985 for our tester (with freight and options), which is about $8,000 less than you’d pay for a base version of the ES. The only option on ours was a sunroof ($800).
Of course, the ES has a V-6 engine, but in today’s auto climate, with fluctuating gasoline prices driving sales of four-cylinder engines, the Aura’s four-cylinder makes more sense. It has EPA ratings of 22 mpg city/33 highway, compared with 17/26 for the Aura V-6.
You don’t have to spend that much to get a nice Aura, however. Even the entry-level XE model comes with a long list of standard equipment, giving consumers a very well-equipped vehicle for the $22,430 starting price.
That includes the base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 169 horsepower and 160 foot-pounds of torque, and a fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission. This is a change from the original Aura, which was offered only with the V-6 engine.
Also available is a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Aura, with a base price of $26,015 and EPA ratings of 26 city/34 highway – using the same powertrain that comes in the Chevy Malibu hybrid.
That system includes a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor to provide nearly V-6 power, but the fuel economy of a four-cylinder.
At the top of the line is the XR V-6 model, with a zippy 3.6-liter engine rated at 252 horsepower and 251 foot-pounds of torque.
The V-6 is connected to a different six-speed automatic transmission, but with either engine, the transmission comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddles for optional clutchless manual shifting. The V-6 engine, along with the accompanying sport suspension, gives the Aura the feel of a sport sedan.
But the four-cylinder had plenty of power for me, even when loaded with two adults and two mid-sized kids. Handling was surprisingly crisp and sure for a family sedan, and the cabin was as quiet as that of a premium vehicle even at highway speeds.
The Aura’s European styling features some design elements that are common among several new Saturn products, such as the Sky and the Outlook. These include headlights with what GM refers to as a “jewel-like” appearance, and a chrome grille bar.
The XE model comes with 17-inch wheels, but with the XR, there are 18-inch aluminum wheels, and with the XR V-6, 18-inch bright aluminum wheels.
Premium materials are used throughout the cockpit, and the fit and finish are exceptional. This is another area where GM cars have been lacking in the past, but there is nothing cheap or sloppy-looking about the Aura’s interior.
Up front, the reclining front bucket seats are quite comfortable, and the rear bench seat is roomy enough for three people, with ample legroom.
Standard features include automatic climate control; a center console with dual storage bins and cupholders; a driver-information center; power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote; steering wheel audio controls; auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass; eight-way power driver’s seat; fog lights; heated outside mirrors; A/FM/compact-disc stereo with auxiliary input jack; tilt and telescopic steering column; stainless-steel exhaust with dual chrome exhaust tips; and remote vehicle starting.
Safety features abound on this vehicle. Included are electronic-stability control, front seat-mounted side air bags, and side-curtain air bags for both rows of seats. The Aura also comes with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, a tire-pressure monitoring system, theft-deterrent system and daytime running lights.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram. com.
At a Glance:
2009 Saturn Aura The package: Midsize, four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder or V-6 powered sedan.
Highlights: New two years ago, this is Saturn’s best sedan yet, giving the brand a solid entry in the highly competitive midsize segment. It has great styling, a well-designed interior, and good performance, especially with the V-6 model. Also available is a gasoline-electric hybrid version.
Negatives: Base price is higher than that of most competitors.
Engines: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder; 3.6-liter V-6.
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic (gasoline-only versions).
Power/torque: 169 HP./160 foot-pounds (2.4-liter); 252 HP/251 foot-pounds (3.6-liter).
Length: 190.0 inches.
Curb weight: 3,528-3,647 pounds
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Electronic stability control: Standard.
Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side curtain for both rows.
Trunk capacity: 15.7 cubic feet.
EPA fuel economy: 22 miles per gallon city/33 highway (2.4-liter); 17/26 (3.5-liter).
Fuel capacity/type: 16.3 gallons/regular unleaded.
Major competitors: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy, Pontiac G6, Volkswagen Passat.
Base price range: $22,430-$26,925 plus $650 freight.
Price as tested: $25,985, including freight and options (XR 2.4-liter).
On the Road rating: 9.4 (of a possible 10).
Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.