2008 Saturn Aura Consumer Reviews Page 5

6+ months

Written by: Sjones on 03/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XR 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I am re-rating the car after 6 months. The same things I liked when new are impressive now. The car looks expensive and I always notice other XR's on the road. The car is very quiet and the ride quality seems European. The stereo system is top notch and the seats are very comfortable. I know they have made some minor changes to address a few issues for the 2008 model year and I hope they continue to do so for the 2009 model year to make this a nearly perfect midsize sedan. Some folks are mad about fuel economy but the sticker said 17/26 for the XR so they should not be surprised. The car is heavy and has 252hp so you cannot expect 25mpg in city driving.

Favorite Features

Styling, exterior build quality, quietness, acceleration, stereo, remote start, thick steering wheel, handling.

Suggested Improvements

Smaller A pillars, rear armrest, doors that dont open widely so easily, illuminated rear window switches.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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New ride

Written by: JAY on 03/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Really like overall style plus the fit and finish is quite good. Car handles well and has enough power for the average driver. Not broke in yet with under 800 mls. Hope to average between 30 & 32 on the road after break in period.

Favorite Features

Overall style and performance

Suggested Improvements

Add more cushion to seat bottoms back rests and arm rests, they are are way too hard. change dash lighting from orange to violet blue or green. clock and radio are very, very hard to read in sunlite.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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In Love with the Aura

Written by: Amazing Car on 03/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XR 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I bought the car about 6 months ago, and still feel so spoiled every time I drive it. Its a pleasure at all times. You really get the most car for the money. Would buy again- in a heart beat!

Favorite Features

The moroccan brown inside is so awesome-makes for a nice change. Love the moon roof one touch button, next favorite-heated seats! Extremely nice sound system built in.

Suggested Improvements

Would be nice to have an arm rest in the back and a lock on the glove box with vallet key. The car is just about perfect!

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great Commuter

Written by: berne1 on 03/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Got the Aura XE 4-cyl last month to replace my ION. What a step up! This is the first in a long time I've returned to the same manufacturer (had two Acuras in a row in the early '90s). Went for the 4-cyl because of price & MPG (commter car). It has a lot of nice unexpected touches- -the auto-up driver's window, interior "mood lighting", telescoping steering wheel, cargo nets. Wasn't expecting any of that in this level Aura. Interior is very quiet. 6- speaker stereo is above average for a base system. Large trunk. Good power. I really like the styling, one of my top reasons for purchase. It looks more expensive than it is.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, quiet interior, decent base stereo. Unexpected features (cargo nets, "mood" lighting, telescoping wheel, auto-up window. 4- cylinder has good power. Tons of safety features.

Suggested Improvements

Would have liked a 6-speed automatic. No "manual" mode for automatic. Electric power steering has play at highway speeds. Can't permanently disable DRLs (had to pull a relay to do this). No assist handle (likely due to the curtain airbags). Thick A-pillars take some getting used to.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Euro feel from Kansas City

Written by: MT on 03/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XR 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Saturn has successfully brought over the German essence of this car. The exterior is very striking - I've recently had a Passast, Audi A4 and Audit allroad. This compares well. The interior is close to these cars but a bit below - see first suggestion below. Fit and finish is so much better than any previous Saturn. Driving on both highway and back roads is a pleasure - good feel,quiet (except standard tires are not so quiet or good and there's maybe 2 aftermarket alternatives). Vision Ok but A pillar is obtrusive. The engine is very strong and works well with tranny. It is definitely a lot of car for the money and if you find the right combo of incentives/rebates it is a steal.

Favorite Features

Good marriage between engine and tranny. Good road feel in the XR. Quiet cabin. Decent radio/XM. Good wheel based buttons - cruise, info system, radio, etc. TPMS. Adjustable pedals with tilt/telescope wheel makes finding a fit a breeze.

Suggested Improvements

GM/Saturn needs to spend maybe $500 more per vehicle on material upgrades. Offer Xenon headlights, move rear view mirror buttons, slim the fat A pillar, modify B pillar trim for taller drivers, 6 speed manual, upgrade standard tire selection, automate seat/pedal position for 2 different people

11 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Surprised by the 2.4L 4 engine

Written by: Rex on 02/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought the 4cyl model for the mileage, and though I test drove the car extensively, I'm still impressed that 2.3 liters moves the car well. I'm now getting 31mpg on the highway driving about 70ish. The mileage improved after a few thousand miles and a change to synthetic oil. I installed a low-flow Airhog air filter and the power and mileage improved! Impressive handling, and styling. A small drawback is the visibility. Overall a fantastic deal for the money.

Favorite Features

Styling, comfort and good mileage for its size. My wife drives an Accord, but this Aura gets all the good comments.

Suggested Improvements

Thinner rear roof pillar. Less plastic inside, but every car needs that improvement.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great Car for the money

Written by: Charlie on 02/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XR 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We just love this car. On our trip to FL in Feb. we averaged 31 mpg at 75 to 80 mph on rt 95. In combined country driving in the winter we get around 28 mpg. The car has great power for a 4 cyl and is very quiet at 75 to 80 mph. We love it!

Favorite Features

Looks, driveability, fuel economy, ride. 4 cly engine is not under powered.

Suggested Improvements

Air from the heater blower a little noisy on med and high speed.

6 out 12 people found this review helpful

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2007 Aura, looking back

Written by: texvette on 02/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XR 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

Review

The Aura was purchased to commute in and be towed behind our motorhome. The vehicle has excellent acceleration and outstanding road manners. The placement of the controls is well arranged and easily accessible. The caution of buying the first of a model year, albeit earning the Car of the Year Award, certainly holds true in the case of the XR. The large number of problems in almost every system of the vehicle is indicative of getting the care to market before a full shakedown. The issues range from poor rocker panel design to fuel economy much less than competitors. There is no question that these will all be solved in subsequent model years, as is the trend with US Automakers.

Favorite Features

Sports car handling; folding rear seat access to trunk area; wireless rear seat audio headphones; very low interior noise level.

Suggested Improvements

Steering wheel audio control buttons should be larger; tire pressure monitor does not display actual pressure (although reports it to the Onstar site in values); allow full range of messages from control center when in 'manual shift mode'; tighen front end panels/trim; offer dealer installed XM.

4 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Best Saturn So Far

Written by: Joe G on 02/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This is the best Saturn of the four I've owned. It's fun, sporty, handsome, luxurious, and decent on gas. It rides extremly quiet, and turns heads whereever I go. On the highway, I get about 29MPG, while around town it's more like 20. I don't expect much better than that in this class of car anyway. It's really the same car as the Chev. Malibu, but I really like the look of the Saturn better. Lots of gadgets and toys to play with too. I love the LED light in the cabin, my leather seats, all the safety features and the remote start. If your in the market for a decent midsize, I think you'll be pleased with her!

Favorite Features

Heated seats, great. Sunroof one touch & the wind noise mask-Great. Both drivers rear view mirrors auto dimming-Great. No trunk braces to dig into luggage- Great. MP3 jack-Great. Speed (mph) adjusted wiper speed-Great. One touch up & down driver window-Great. Auto volume adjust-Great. & so on & so on.

Suggested Improvements

Move blinker lights on dash to better spot. Spoiler standard. Power seat controls hard to get too. More compartments but with better built doors & latches. Light in the glove box. 6 speed transmission standard might improve gas mileage. Fold down arm rest in the back. Better cup holders in back.

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Not my Impala

Written by: lb0456 on 01/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I sold my 2000 Impala and bought the Saturn Aura XE 6cyl. My Impala got 30mpg on the freeway at 70mph. I'm a bit disappointed in the Aura. It's supposed to get 32mph highway. If I keep it at 60 it might get that but who drives 60 anymore? Right now I'm getting about 27mph. Not impressive. I find it hard to get a comfortable temperature with the heater also. Love the XM radio and OnStar and the interior is very nice and comfortable. And I still prefer cloth seats to leather even with the heated seats so wish I had cloth. Very roomy trunk. Good visibility. Good get up and go when passing.

Favorite Features

OnStar, XM radio and lumbar adjustment.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage. And hard to see digital display because of glare.

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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