First! 2007 Aura Review

[mitsubishi]

AURA Rising
Road test by the Canadian Auto Press



There's a certain glow about Saturn these days, a radiant emanation that reveals its inner health and happiness. The way I see it, Saturn can do no wrong, unless something drastic occurs, such as mass engine failures, which is clearly unlikely. As for the list of things Saturn has done right, they've brought the Sky to market looking like a concept come true, they've canned their "we're not even going to try to make our cars look good" styling in favour of Opel-inspired curves, creases and chrome (okay, it's more like Opel-direct than Opel-inspired), and journalists, blog-pros and message boarders in North America are fueling the flames of rumour as to what will replace the Ion--obviously the Astra, if you ask me. Just over the horizon is the Outlook, then the Antara-based Vue, and freshly risen is the golden child of the Saturn lineup: the Aura.

Article Continued Here!

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Great vehicle just great

[01cavalier]

Can't really get more positive than that! now I really want to go check one out.

[Bornfromparents]

I'm going to test drive one very soon. A friend of mine is salesperson
for Saturn so I'll talk to him and find out when they will have them available.

[91 s-10baja]

"While we only drove it around a proscribed road course, it was enough to show that the engine can keep up with any entry-level premium offerings from Japanese, Scandinavian or German manufacturers."






"One aspect of the interior particularly disappointed, although it only caught up with me after the fact; while the many plastic surfaces are very high quality (like the dash, which is soft to the touch and dimples slightly under pressure), they meet moderately appealing switchgear that is simply too familiar to GM's crowded stable of products, weighing down the resurgent brand with a reminder of economies of scale and realities of production on a global platform. This is a bit disappointing, especially after the effort that Saturn's design team put out trying to give the car a stylish exterior, luxurious seats, and that eye-grabbing yellow-on-black instrument panel with a cool carbon-fibre patterned background"





So, not really a 'road test', but a review indeed.
The interior points are noted!

[prototype66]

Great read. Made me want to go to Saturn of GL and take a td.Just to compare for myself.(being in chevy Sales)

[thatoneguy]

THAT SILVER TRIM looks way better than the wood!!.. My neighbor has an Aura right now and he let me drive it to the grocery store.. Man it is a fun car to drive.. Just wait this car is going to be a major hit!

[give_it_all_]

Got any pics of your neighbours car? How did it driveon the road?

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by give_it_all_

How did it driveon the road?

He said 'fun'.

[paul3230]

Originally Posted by thatoneguy

THAT SILVER TRIM looks way better than the wood!!.. My neighbor has an Aura right now and he let me drive it to the grocery store.. Man it is a fun car to drive.. Just wait this car is going to be a major hit!

I noticed that too! Way more premium

[CrunkedRL]

This was a good review. I was really surprised to see the European features found in the concept car make it to production including: The LED tailights, and side markers. This will definitely be a success for Saturn and I don't think people will have a problem with paying the price premium for the Aura over the G6 and Malibu considering the refinement. Saturn's have always been a little higher than their GM cousins but they've also had better resale value too.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

Saturn's have always been a little higher than their GM cousins but they've also had better resale value too.

I love Saturn and all, but you are getting a bit carried away with this statement.

[Kheiron]

Optimistic review, lets hope its the sales bombshell that has been predicted. It is definitely worth the price of admission and for 20k for a VVT 3.5L V6 (even if it has the tried-and-true 4speed) is a great value. I can't wait to see the trade in's for this car, hopefully camcords and sonatas and tauruses and fusions (and sebrings of course) but I am not sure how many VW buyers are going to trade brands.

[jwrebholz]

It's hard to say...I mean, you know how vague these journalists can be sometimes...but I think he likes it.

[Mikkoo]

Finally GM brings a decent and very competent EUROPEAN OPEL VECTRA to the American market. Now perhaps the next gen Malibu and G6 will have some of the refinements of the Aura that are so lacking in there current models.

[mkwelbornjr]

I actually looked at one up close today at the Saturn dealer. I will say it is a great looking car but the interior is VERY dissapointing. Not even close to being as nice as the Camry/Accord. The shapes inside are a step back...almost as far back as Intrigue. The door panel armrest was this hard rubbery material with a molded-in stitching pattern. The console was small and plasticly. I love GM and want them to do well but this interior needs work. I thought it was supposed to have leather armrests and such like the camry. And this was the XR model.

Why didnt they just keep the Vectra interior?