Vehicle: 2007 Saturn Aura XR with Premium Trim Pkg and sunroof
Price as tested: CDN$35600

Performance: The Aura is powered by 2 V6 engines. The XE is powered by a pushrod 224hp with 4-speed automatic. Our tester, XR, is powered by a 252hp with 6-speed automatic with Driver Shift Controls, or what the rest of the world called manumatic. This is a 4-valve-per-cylinder 24-valve V6 DOHC with GM’s latest variable valve timing or VVT. This powertrain is simply a delight as its sweet 6-speed automatic always keeps in on sweet spot regardless of rpm. The level of refinement and smoothness are world-class. Saturn finally has a powertrain that is able to rival the best from Honda and Toyota. Its not only torquery, as 251 lb/ft of torque arrives at 3200rpm. It also doesn’t have the breathless attitudes faced with many of GM’s 6-cylinders of yesterday. The result is an engine that is entertaining no matter at which situation. Its feels quiet and luxurious on city driving, while providing exceptional performance whenever an enthuisast pushed it through the rev range. Not to mention its manumatic works exceptionally well. The paddle shifters reach to the gearchange without being too abruptly. If there is a drawback, however, is the location of the downshift paddle on the bottom of the steering wheel. What GM should done is to put “plus” on the left and “minus” on the right of the steering for best ergonomics. The current design just isn’t user-friendly.

Handling: Given Aura is based on the European Opel Vectra platform, its Europea influence has been clearly influenced in this latest Saturn. It begins with a strong and stiff chassis, which doesn’t have all the flex and rattles of all yesteryear’s Saturns. Along with an strong chassis, the excellent damping of the suspension and springs have produced a truly European feel. The steering is weighty and precise. All the feedback and precision feel very much like an European sports sedan. The supple ride control, while absorbing all the roughness on our roads, feel more like in a Mercedes than in any previous GM family sedans have gone before. The ride is solid and supple without losing all the softness needed for North American pavement. The level of precision and tautness in Aura is something you have never felt before in a Saturn. In the past, when you pushed an S-series into a corner. The driver would lost confident before entering 5/10 of the scale. In the Aura, it feels reassuring and confidence-inspiring when entering a corner even at 8/10. Its also entertaining to drive in the twisties due to its European-flavour suspension setting. On the other hand, Aura’s StabiliTrak, unlike other StabiliTrak have gone before. Its an uninstrusive system although the defect switch still isn’t on center console. As with typical family car, safe understeer and slight bodyrolls are expected dynamic trait.

Brakes: Aura has standard 4-wheel discs with standard ABS. Unlike all the Saturns have gone before, Aura’s braking prowess simply rated with the best in its class. The stopping distance is short while pedal feel is exceptional. Once again, the brake modulation feels more on par with best of European sports sedan than any Saturns in the past.

Interior: Saturn interiors used to be cheaply made and uninspiring to look at. Not anymore.

Aura’s interior has been extremely well layout. It begins with a great set of instrumentation. World class ergonomics with superb leather seats are just the beginning of Aura’s interior. We are lucky enough to get an XR with Morocco Brown leather treatment. The result is a family car that feels like in a Maserati Quattroporte than a Camry competitor. Those leather seats have excellent support, with German’s typical firmness and tautness. The top of the dashboard is covered by soft plastic texture, as well as the center console with tasteful aluminum trim matched with warm wood trim. Its execution of color and trim pieces are world-class. However, there is one major drawback to the otherwise nice execution. Its the cheesy plastic on the bottom of door panels and dashboard.

There are plenty of head and legrooms at the back of the Aura.

Despite of the large cargo capacity and uninstrusive hinges, the high liftover doesn’t help anyone loading into Aura’s trunk. Fortunately, the 60/40 split fold-down rear seats will certainly help a whole lot as you can load all your cargos from the backseat instead of trunk.

Conclusion: Not only does Aura has lots of road presence, its execution will definitely driven lots of traffic into Saturn showroom. Wonderful handling, comfortable ride quality with plenty of interior space. Other than the cheesy plastic, this is definitely the best sedan Saturn has ever made. In fact, it has proven itself to be a contender as we voted Aura as best family car of the year for 2007 over 2 oldtimers: Altima and Camry.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 SATURN AURA
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5