Thirty minutes with the 2007 Saturn Aura
The 2007 Saturn Aura is a critical car for General Motors; GM will even tell you that to your face. It represents a solid break for Saturn towards the European-inspired brand that it should be. By leveraging the resources of Opel in Europe, GM was able to bring a vehicle with European character to a brand that desperately needed direction. To that end, GM is reinventing Saturn, while still maintaining its no-hassle, no-haggle pricing. Clearly aimed at import-intenders who would normally shop for an Accord, Camry, or Passat, the Aura is representative of this new direction. There will also be an Aura Greenline offered later in 2007 that will use a mild-hybrid powerplant similar to the one found in the Vue Greenline.
There are two trim levels for the Aura. The XE is the base model, with a revised version of GM's OHV V6 that displaces 3510 cc and produces 224 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 220 ft-lbs. at 4,000 rpm, which finds its way to the ground via a 4-speed automatic transmission. The XE is supposed to start around $20,595. The Aura XR, meanwhile, is the top of the line model, receiving motivation from a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 that produces 252 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 251 ft-lbs. at 3,200 rpm. It is paired with GM's new six-speed automatic transmission. The XR also has an optional Morocco Brown interior trim that adds brown leather to the seating surfaces with matching trim on the doors, which definitely lends character to the interior space. Pricing for the XR will start just under $25,000.
Enough with these details, you're probably wondering how it drives. Saturn has its competitors clearly targeted, because the Aura combines a hushed interior at speed with sporting reflexes. In the XR, the 3.6L DOHC V6 provides more than enough smooth power to satisfy any midsize sedan buyer. The standard V6 in the XE isn't too shabby either, but clearly the XR's larger V6 is a competent competitor to the engines offered by Honda and Nissan. Don't get us wrong, we'd still rather have the XE's standard V6 over a four-cylinder, especially if we can't select a manual transmission with the four.
The suspension tuning is sporty on the XR, but is a tad softer on the XE. Actually, in either case, it is a good compromise between control and comfort. This is in contrast to what both Honda and VW have done with their latest models, moving toward softer suspension packages while loosing a little feedback for the driver. The Aura does an excellent job of making the driver feel in control while still providing a comfortable ride. In one instance, we were progressing rapidly down an uneven country road with our new found friend from a Spanish language lifestyle magazine. The cabin of the XE was quiet, and the ride was smooth. So smooth and quiet in fact, that we got a little wrapped up in our conversation about the beautiful countryside. That was until a sharp corner snuck up on us. With a quick expletive, and a flip of the steering wheel, the Aura sent us sailing safely through the corner. Profanity isn't necessary to unleash the car's potential, as we would find out behind the wheel of our own high horsepower XR. Back on the country road, we weren't adverse to whomping on the accelerator to feel our backs press against the seat. A few makeshift speed runs did show there was a little bit of torque steer off the line, but once up to speed the Aura was as solid as a bank vault up to the century mark. Our bravado gave out before the Aura, as we didn't want to find out what would happen if a tractor popped out into our 1.5 lane stretch of twisty tarmac.
The interior is of high quality overall. It is tastefully designed, but we would trade out the fake wood for a metallic finish on the dash. There are a couple short comings that we noticed, as well. Once you step into the vehicle, you're greeted with this nice interior, but when you go to put the key in the ignition, you're introduced to a cheap feeling ignition switch. The key slot seems to be made of tin. Couldn't they have spent a little more money on a better ignition switch? It's a blemish on what is otherwise a nice interior experience. Also, the instrument cluster could also be a little more upscale. Sure, laugh it up, but there is a certain appeal that comes from a well designed and illuminated IP. Go sit in a new VW or Honda and you will see what we mean.
It's nice to see the face of an Opel on our roads, and we hope to see more models with that familiar visage. On the flip side, it's little disappointed to see the derrière of a Pontiac. Who ever decided to ditch the Opel taillight arrangement might be kicking themselves when consumers see too much G6 in the Aura's design. The rest of the design is clean and tasteful, albeit a little bland from some angles. The Aura certainly doesn't offend, but we wonder what Saturn may do to enhance the exterior if they produce a Redline variant.
Overall, the new 2007 Aura is a clear step in the right direction for both Saturn and GM. Now, if they can keep up this practice of bringing Opels to the U.S., we might just see more Saturns on the road than ever.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
The other Bob 1:11PM (9/25/2006)
I had a chance to testdrive an XE. It's a nice car, with a ton of standard features, including 6 airbags. It was definately sportier than most fwd sedans and very, very quiet.
As a comparison, I liked it much better than the Mazda 6 that I rented for a week when I was on vacation. The aura was quicker and had a better field of vision.
The XR would be even better.
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Ed 1:14PM (9/25/2006)
Why not just drop the Saturn name and just bring back Opel. Saturn's have been shitboxes since they started and while your at it drop the Pontac name too...no never mind just sell GM to someone who knows what there doing not just rebadgeing. Better yet just call yourself General Rebadge! HAY LOOK I'm driveing the new Rebadge.
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DarkKnight67 1:16PM (9/25/2006)
If you're the new rebadge, then learn to spell to go with it, Ed.
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Ed 1:19PM (9/25/2006)
Oh no that is how GM would screw that up too.
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Peter L. 1:36PM (9/25/2006)
Why not offer the 2.4 Ecotec with 177hp (going from memory on this) as the base engine instead of the 3.5 V6... its a smoother engine, and probably cheaper to produce, so it would lower the entry point for the Aura (and a 4cyl. would compete nicely with the imports base engines), as well, they should offer the V6 (its a good engine) as an option on all trim-levels...
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That One Person 1:25PM (9/25/2006)
There is a dark blue Aura sitting in my neighborhood. I drive past it every once in a while and its a sharp looking car. It will be interesting in seeing how this car sells...
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Colin K 1:37PM (9/25/2006)
I tested the Aura XR the other day. We are in Florida so AC is of the utmost importance. The XR's AC didn't blow cold enough or with enough velocity. The salseman agreed, but said this was an anomaly. Saturn also had a $1600 extra sticker on the car which I valued to have a worth of about $99. So much for a no hassle sales experience. They can keep the car and I bet if I go back in a week the same car will still be there and the dealership would not have corrected the AC malfunction. If it can be fixed....
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Cosmo Kramer 1:37PM (9/25/2006)
Why would GM drop the Saturn name and bring back OPEL? If you were running things at Saturn/GM, would you just throw away hundreds of million dollars in marketing and billions in manufacturing for a name change? I don't think you would and end up confusing your customer base.
This car will most likely get attention but mostly to past Saturn customers. I will guess that it won't turn many non saturn buyers to buy.
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hedges1 1:41PM (9/25/2006)
GM is investing in the Saturn name because it maintains one of the highest owner satisfaction ratings in the industry. They have a ton of equity in the name and are finally giving it the focus it needed. I'm one of those people who would have never seriously considered Saturn in the past but am anxiously awaiting the Outlook. I've sat in the cockpit of the Aura XR and was very impressed. It looks and feels like an export but with a little bit more character.
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TriShield 1:41PM (9/25/2006)
Ed, GM did attempt to sell Opels here under the Opel name in the 1970s and it failed miserably.
Saturn is an established brand name in North America and it's more sensible and less costly to have it as an outlet for Opels (like Vauxhall in the UK and Holden in AUS) than to fight all the current franchise owners and then convince new franchise owners to take up an unknown brand.
As for the Aura, it's a great car for a great price. But the lack of projectors (which every other Saturn has) and the other elements toned down from the concept leaves me scratching my head a little. If it had the flares and wheel style of the concept it would make a great car an even greater looking car, and help it's chances even more.
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David F 1:43PM (9/25/2006)
I actually like the rear, it's much better than the G6 IMO. The Aura's rough edges seem to be few, and hopefully they will be righted in a mid-year refresh down the road.
Good move GM, while you're at it bring over some Holden's, quick!
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Jeff 1:44PM (9/25/2006)
Have you people who hate GM so badly taken a good look at the new Camry lately? What an ugly car. Have you looked at and driven a Pontiac G6 Coupe? Sweet ride. The hardtop 'vert is a very nice car indeed. Compare it to an over priced Solara Convertible (oops, the Solara is only avble in a rag top, no hard top, sorry).
Talk about rebadge, what do you think Lexus is? Camry and Avalon's rebadged and overpriced. Oops, I forgot, Camry started life as an overpriced pile, Lexus just adds to it and brings it forward to the consumer.
Mercedes you say: hmmm, a lot of quality problems of late.
BMW - the drivers machine - when it's not in the shop.
Honda - well, 'nuff said there. Ricer's delight. The S2000 is OK, but don't you think by 2007, the thrill of the new century is about over now? The Accord is a nice car, but like the Camry, is overpriced and the Honda dealerships I've been in act like they are doing me a favor by allowing me to enter and look at their beautiful new cars. I want to be treated like someone who is about to spend close to $30K. Yes, they need to moisten my backside some, not treat me like someone who is bothering them.
Mazda - heck they don't even count RX-8 owners complaints because there were so many of them. The Miata (oops MX-5) is a nice little car for a little car, but the rest of the lineup is just fair. The 6 is a decent mid-size car so give them their due there.
So, rant over. I don't understand why so many here want to see GM fail and why they are the first to throw stones.
I think this new Saturn is a pretty decent looking car. No, I don't own one, nor do I own a Saturn of any kind.
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Joe 1:49PM (9/25/2006)
OPEL VECTRA interior is best!
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Aki 2:04PM (9/25/2006)
The writer of this piece is obviously blind, the rear of the Aura looks nothing like a pontiac. He had to find something, so why not go for the cheap stab, idiot. In case he has not noticed almost everything coming from Japan has the same damn looks and these assholes say nothing. Sure most of the article was good, but the jabs he took were unnecessary and bullshit.
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Giggles of Doom 8:26PM (9/25/2006)
A sharp looking car, and about time for the General to have one. Glad to hear it isn't a bore to drive! If only they could do something with that hideous block of grey that is supposed to pass for a center stack of HVAC controls and the stereo. Geh.
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DPC car videos 3:07PM (9/25/2006)
Saturn has come a long way, I think the price is great and the power plant is not too bad at all. Toyota/Honda better watch out.
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Rob 3:08PM (9/25/2006)
obviously you're the one who's blind since the first time i saw the back of the Aura I automatically thought of the G6. then i read that both cars are based off the same platform and it made perfect sense. so nothing farfetched there. and there's nothing bad with that anyway, i guess it's just that stick up your butt thats causing you such anger.
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Jeff Crew 3:39PM (9/25/2006)
Compare this car to the new Dodge Stratus that was posted last week. The Aura has style and substance. The Dodge has too much plastic and fake attitude built into it showing they are trying to hard to be a performace car. They are both fwd family cars, yet the Dodge is trying to be a performace car with nothing to back it up except a tacked on spoiler. The Saturn will do well and it would be on my list of cars in this segment to check out. The Dodge and the Chrysler would not. The Chrysler Sebring is the exact opposite of the Dodge, trying to be a luxury car based on a simple family sedan. It too has tacked on design trends like the Dodge, but with fake luxury instead of fake performance like the Dodge.
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Jay Evans 3:43PM (9/25/2006)
#10 "Ed, GM did attempt to sell Opels here under the Opel name in the 1970s and it failed miserably."
Buick sold Opels from about 1960-1975 when GM replaced it with an Opel based design built by Isuzu. Hardly a failure.
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Jinx 3:51PM (9/25/2006)
I wish this offered a manual tranny!!!!!!!
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