Best Saturn Cars

For 2009 Saturn builds on the Aura lineup’s character by discontinuing the up-level 3.5-liter V-6-equipped XE model and introducing a new XR model sporting all the amenities of the discontinued XE but with the more fuel-efficient Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Joining the four-cylinder XR are the returning 2.4-liter, four-cylinder XE and the 3.6-liter, V-6 XR.

he Saturn Sky is a roadster that was produced by Saturn, and was initially released in the first quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It uses the Kappa automobile platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It was built at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant, alongside the Solstice and the Opel GT. The Sky featured 18-inch (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 straight-4 engine that produced 177 hp (132 kW), a new straight-4 2.0 L turbocharged direct injected engine that made 260 hp (194 kW) as well as an optional dealer-installed turbo upgrade kit that made 290 hp (216 kW). Both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions were available.

The Astra, already familiar to Europe, provides five-passenger seating in a front-wheel drive hatchback design in either a three-door or a five-door configuration.The Saturn Astra five-door hatchback has two trims: the XE and the XR, and the three-door hatchback comes in the XR trim only. All Astras are powered by a 140-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with either a standard five-speed manual or with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. The XE trim comes standard with: four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, projector beam headlamps, 16-inch steel wheels, six airbags, cruise control, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry. The four-door XR trim adds: speed-sensing steering, fog lights, alloy wheels, air conditioning and an upgraded audio system. The two-door XR trim further adds: electronic traction and stability control and 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires.For 2009, the Saturn Astra is a carryover.

Saturn's cars have grown larger and more expensive while its customer base has grown older and more conservative. To get back in the groove, the company has borrowed a popular European brand to replace the aging and bland Ion. The 2008 Saturn Astra may be new to us, but this version has been a hot seller in Europe for over four years. Saturn hopes the reasonably-priced Astra will once again put it on the shopping list of today's tech-savvy youth, evidenced by the car's very own page on the popular Facebook networking site.

The Saturn Outlook is a full-size crossover SUV that debuted at the New York International Auto Show, and was based on the GM Lambda platform, which it shared with the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. The Outlook had went on sale on May 24, 2006 as a 2007 model. The Outlook featured the lowest sticker price among GM's Lambda crossover SUVs, slotting below the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The Chevrolet Traverse would ultimately take the place of the Outlook as the family-oriented model following the introduction of the Traverse for the 2009 model year, and the demise of the Outlook, along with the rest of the Saturn brand in 2010, with the 2010 model year being the final model year for the Outlook. The Saturn Outlook was discontinued after the 2010 model year.

he Vue was introduced for the 2002 model year and was designed by Saturn. It was manufactured at the Spring Hill GM plant. Its unibody platform is shared with the Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the European Opel Antara. The first generation ran from model year 2002-2007. Four-cylinder VUE's use the Ecotec I4. The L81 V6 from the L-Series and five-speed Aisin AF33 automatic transmission were initially offered, but starting in 2004, all six-cylinder Vues were equipped with Honda's 250-horsepower (190 kW) J35A3 engine and a Honda transmission. The four-cylinder Vue was available with the VTi continuously variable transmission (CVT) until GM canceled it for 2005 due to dependability issues. The VUE received a facelift for the 2006 model year. Upgrades included a redesigned interior with higher-quality materials, a new bumper and grille, and some minor cosmetic pieces to the exterior. OnStar is now standard as well as cruise control and automatic headlights. However, GM badges were not added to the side of the vehicle until GM took over production from Saturn for the second generation VUE.

The Saturn Aura was introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model and was named North American Car of the Year. Like the Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Malibu, it is based on a General Motors global architecture that is shared with vehicles such as the European Opel Vectra and the Saab 9-3. The Aura replaced the LS sedan in the Saturn lineup and was introduced initially with two V-6 engines and a hybrid powertrain: a four-cylinder version was added for the 2008 model year.

he styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, was based on the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept's design. It was available in some European markets as the Opel GT. A rebadged version named the Daewoo G2X was unveiled as a concept vehicle for the South Korean market in 2006. The production version was released in September 2007. The Sky, Solstice, GT, and G2X were built in Wilmington, Delaware. The aggressive styling garnered praise as a welcome departure from traditional Saturn design. The Wilmington Assembly plant closed in July 2009, ending production as both the Pontiac and Saturn nameplates were retired.

The Saturn Aura is a midsize family sedan that was produced by Saturn. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the AURA was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production commencing in North America in the summer of 2006 for the 2007 model year. The Aura replaced the Saturn L-Series, which was discontinued after the 2005 model year. Although Saturn had never intended to use the Aura name for the production vehicle, the name ended up sticking as a result of the popularity of the concept