Saturn ION Review

Saturn ION

2007 Saturn ION 2 Coupe

The Saturn Ion is the brand's entry-level car. Aimed at younger buyers, it has edgy styling and design features and a strong 2.2-liter engine. Over the past few years, Saturn has gone through a brand restructuring by moving more upscale in appearance and price. It has announced that it will eliminate the Ion after only one generation, replacing it with a new compact car based on the Opel Astra, which General Motors currently offers in Europe.

The front-wheel-drive Saturn Ion comes in two body styles: a four-door sedan and the "Quad Coupe." The Quad Coupe is styled like a two-door coupe but actually has two rearward-opening doors similar in style to an extended-cab pickup. For each body style there are two primary trim levels: a base 2 and 3.

Both trims come standard with a 145-horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The Ion 3 sedan also has an optional 2.4-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing, which is good for 175 hp. It is part of an Enhanced Performance Package -- only available with the Ion 3 -- and also includes antilock brakes, traction control and a sport-tuned suspension. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard on these main trims, and a four-speed automatic is available as an option.

There is an additional performance trim for the Quad Coupe called the Saturn Ion Red Line. It's powered by a supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which bumps power up to 205 hp. The Ion Red Line comes exclusively with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, upgraded disc brakes and a track-tuned suspension package.

Saturn has been improving the Ion since its introduction and what was once a cheap-looking interior has evolved quite a bit. It's still nowhere near class-leading in style or comfort, but at least it's now competitive. This is particularly important, as more and more manufacturers are offering premium-looking interiors in their economy cars.

There is plenty of cargo room in all trims. The front passenger seat folds down flat, and trunk space is among the largest in the segment. The Ion 2 trim comes pretty bare-bones, without standard air-conditioning or power mirrors and windows. You have to step up to the Ion 3 for these features, as well as 16-inch wheels and tires, cruise control and an upgraded CD/MP3 audio system.

In road tests and comparison tests, our reviewers found the Saturn Ion to be among the lower performers in the entry sedan and coupe classes. Despite the strong engine, the Ion lacks liveliness, and overall performance can be classified as conservative at best. The steering is overly heavy. Even with the recent interior improvements, the seats could be more comfortable and offer more support.

Although the Saturn Ion is still in its first generation, there have already been several major changes to the model lineup. The Ion launched in 2003 as a replacement for the now-defunct S-Series. Originally, there was a stripped-down Ion 1 sedan trim level, as well as a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) option. The Ion 1 was dropped in 2006 (the same year Saturn added the 170-hp 2.4-liter engine option) and the CVT was dropped in 2005.

The company has also been vigilant about making minor improvements to the quality of the ride, such as better fitting of interior pieces (thus reducing rattling), so we suggest that interested used-vehicle buyers should try to get the most recent model year available that fits their budget.