2003 Saturn ION Review
Price Estimate:Â $526 - $877





+50
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Innovative rear-access doors on coupe, customer-focused dealers, numerous personalization options, great cargo capacity.
Cons
- Build quality not up to segment standards, unusual styling, lack of established service and repair history.
What’s new
After 12 long years in production, Saturn is finally retiring its aging S-Series sedan and coupe in favor of the all-new Saturn Ion sedan and innovative quad coupe.
Edmunds says
Built to compete among the small Asian vehicles, the less impressive domestic Ion will have a tough time with this segment's leading contenders.
For sale nearby
11 listings
- $3,950
- 104,904 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Adams Auto Sales (296 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Lebanon, PA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G8AJ52F93Z197020
Stock: 003J7020
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-29-2025 - $6,150
- 96,620 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl manual
- S & H Auto Sales Elkhart (702 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in Elkhart, IN
Clean CARFAX. Silver 2003 Saturn ION 1 FWD 5-Speed Manual 4D Sedan ECOTEC 2.2L I4 DOHC 26/33 City/Highway MPGAt S & H we pride ourselves on our OUTS...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G8AF52F83Z206839
Stock: E206839
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-28-2025
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.86 per gallon for regular unleaded in New Hampshire.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Hampshire
$140/mo  for ION 1
ION 1
vs
$158/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Saturn ION Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(61%)
4(21%)
3(10%)
2(6%)
1(2%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Love my Ion! Has 225k miles on it and still running strong!
4.63 out of 5 starsrcameron5, 06/30/2014
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5A)
I love my Ion. It is a very trust worthy car. I bought it used and it had 205K miles on it and it now has 225K miles and it is still running strong. The air is ice cold, it runs great. Always gets me where I need to be! The only thing that has been wrong with it. If the wheel isn't just straightly perfect it won't go to the off on the ignition. It will only go to accessories. I just … stick my finger up this hole and press this button and it goes to off and right out. Easy fix!
But, it is stylish for the year and runs good. I love my Ion!! I can't wait to see how long it will last me!
Happy owner since new
3.63 out of 5 starscartopcamper, 02/20/2014
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
We've owned since new a 2003 Saturn Ion 3 sedan with 5-speed manual transmission.
It now has about 145K miles and is going strong.
All of our 5 kids learned how to drive a stick in this car.
The clutch finally needed replacement at 137K miles.
I live in Southern California.
While a daughter attended school near Boise, ID, I'd drive up a couple times a year via Nevada back roads.
I … wouldn't see another vehicle for hours while driving through the desert, so I'd drive 100 mph for long periods without a problem - still got great mpg.
I still use this car if driving long trips by myself.
Only problem for us was/is the ignition key switch issue - about $350 to fix, and I haven't yet
ION 3 rocks!!
4.75 out of 5 starsfiend0810, 10/04/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5A)
This car is fun and sporty. It handles
extremely well in the mountains and on
curves. Plenty of power and just a joy
to drive. This is my first Saturn and
it won't be my last.
Fine With Me
4.25 out of 5 starsSmookiepooch, 02/02/2009
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my Saturn at the end of '02 and at 133,000 it's still going strong. I've had some problems recently but with that many miles it's bound to happen. My blinker went out but that was a recall item so it was fixed for free. The only 2 major problems I had was my key got stuck in the ignition and my fan went out, fixed both for under $200.
2003 ION Highlights
Sedan
1
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $11,430 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $140/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
Related Used 2003 Saturn ION info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Chevrolet Equinox 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz Amg GT 2020 Review
- Honda Ridgeline 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz Metris 2021 Review
- Hyundai Accent 2020 Review
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 2024 Dodge Durango
- Subaru BRZ 2024
- 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander News
- 2025 Tesla Cybertruck News
- 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan News
- Audi RS Q8 2025
- 2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport
- 2025 EQS SUV
- New Land Rover Range Rover Velar
Other models
- Used Lexus LC-500H in Hermiston, OR 2023
- Used Chevrolet Bolt-Ev in Oswego, NY 2025
- New BMW 2-Series-Gran-Coupe for Sale in Summit, NJ
- Used Dodge Avenger in Covington, LA 2014
- Used Jeep Grand-Cherokee-Srt in Aurora, CO 2017
- Used Lamborghini Murcielago in Southern Pines, NC 2010
- Used Jeep Cherokee in Las Cruces, NM 2024
- Used Mercedes-Benz Glc-Class in Pico Rivera, CA 2025
- Used Mazda Truck in El Paso, TX 2003
- Used Lincoln LS in Crestwood, KY 2006