2003 Saturn ION Review

Name: 2003 Saturn ION Review
Brand: Saturn
Price: 604 USD
Rating: 4.3 (284 reviews)

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Saturn ION model years

Saturn ION for Sale

Saturn ION types

Sedan
Coupe

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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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$171/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Saturn ION.

5 (61%)

4 (21%)

3 (10%)

2 (6%)

1 (2%)

4.3

284 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 284 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love my Ion! Has 225k miles on it and still running strong!

rcameron5, 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 …

Happy owner since new

cartopcamper, 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 …

ION 3 rocks!!

fiend0810, 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

Smookiepooch, 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.

See all 284 reviews of the Saturn ION

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2003 ION Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$11,430
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$171/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
Passenger3 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Poor
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

2003 Saturn ION Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Saturn ION.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love my Ion! Has 225k miles on it and still running strong!

Happy owner since new

ION 3 rocks!!

Fine With Me

2003 ION Highlights

Safety

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2003 Saturn ION Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love my Ion! Has 225k miles on it and still running strong!

Happy owner since new

ION 3 rocks!!

Fine With Me

2003 ION Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Saturn ION info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}