Late in the 2008 model year, General Motors slipped a six-speed automatic in the four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu. Innocuously marketed as the “Spring Edition” and only available as a no-cost option on the top-end LTZ model in exchange for a 3.6-liter V6 hooked up to the same six-speed, it’s unlikely anyone other than those shopping for a Malibu took note. But for 2009, GM has spread availability of this efficient combination across the spectrum to include the Malibu’s platform mates Aura (from Saturn) and G6 (from Pontiac), not to mention other Malibu trim levels – and, logically for once, at a cost savings.
We recently had the opportunity to sample the six-speed/four-cylinder cominbation in the Saturn Aura XR, where the combination is newly standard for 2009. The top-end Aura XR’s sticker price drops a little over $2,000 with the deletion of two cylinders. In 2008, the only non-hybrid Aura you could order with a four-cylinder was the base XE, which came with a four-speed automatic. The addition of two cogs has potentially never been more remarkable: Not only does highway fuel economy increase by the tune of 3 mpg (allowing nearly 50 additional highway miles per tank), but so does performance and refinement.
What’s notable?
That six-speed is attached to GM’s Ecotec 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder, which puts out 169 horsepower and 160 lb-ft. of torque. Internally referred to as the 6T40 Hydra-Matic transmission, the gearbox includes a pair of paddle-style shifters on the steering wheel. Though its output isn’t extraordinary, the Ecotec four-banger puts up better numbers than the Toyota Camry and the Ford Fusion and stays within easy striking distance of the Honda Accord and Mazda Mazda6. But racing isn’t what this class is about; it’s about smoothly tackling the daily grind and in this regard, the Aura excels.
At idle, it emits almost no vibration through the seats and steering wheel like four-cylinders of yore did with relish. Once underway, it emits only a refined growl until about 4,500 rpm when the racket intrudes a bit. What really surprised us, however, is how the six-speed wakes up this formerly sleepy powertrain. The Hydra-Matic always seemed in the right gear for puttering around, but it wasn’t shy about downshifting when called upon. And those shifts were always smooth – just the way buyers in this segment like them. We would have asked for a bit firmer a shift, but we know we’re in the minority when it comes to family sedans like these.
The Aura handles predictably for a front-wheel drive sedan. Its stiff body and compliant suspension make it comfortable over most roads, though lumpy pavement can occasionally leave it lacking compared to the class-leading Volkswagen Passat (incidentally the only other car in its class with a four-cylinder and a six-speed, albeit a model that has been stripped of almost all its luxuries for 2009). Steering feel is natural if a little light at speed. Don’t confuse the Aura with a sports car, but it is a pleasant-driving automobile – and it feels very unlike its platform mate Pontiac G6, which has a thumpy suspension and sloppy steering.
Other than under its skin, the Aura is much the same as it was when introduced for 2007. Styling-wise, it does share some angles with the closely related Opel/Vauxhall Vectra. We generally think it’s a pleasing design with two caveats: When viewed from the side, the rear doors appear to have been unnecessarily stretched and from the rear, the Aura looks like a Pontiac G6 with an extra dose of bling.
If you haven’t been aboard an Aura, you owe it to yourself to check one out. GM paid extra close attention to the interior and, swathed in Morocco Brown leather trim like our test car, it really shines. Design-wise, the Aura has among the nicest digs in its class. Too much faux wood (plood?) and GM’s extra-large corprate steering wheel (nicely covered in three types of leather) are the only major detractors inside. Our tester came with the Advanced Audio Package, which includes a pair of headphones for passengers incapable of conversation or unwilling to agree on one radio station.
At under $26,000 as tested, the four-cylinder Aura stands out as a must-see in its class. GM critics would be wise to spend some time in one before making a midsize family sedan purchase. We don’t think GM will be quite as shy about advertising its four-cylinder, six-speed sedans this year.
2009 Saturn Aura XR, $23,450. As tested, $25,915.
Advanced Audio Package, $425; Convenience Package, $590; Power sunroof, $800; destination, $650.
Words and photos by Andrew Ganz.
09/24, 6:52 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Quick spin?
Nice.
“I don’t want to be seen in this POS, so let’s make this one short…”
09/24, 7:05 PM
posted by:
kitko
So it’s Europe to the rescue. Once again a confirmation that an EU sourced GM is much better than any comparable US GM.
09/24, 7:21 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Actually, this has the right assemblage of parts to make it work well. It is two-thousand dollar too high to make any inroads into its market slot though.
.
P.S. Did Trunk Monkey Lutz ride shotgun making sure that LLN’s copy for this article was correct?
09/24, 7:26 PM
posted by:
megeebee
EUROPE?
This is a 100% American product. It is not one of the Opels being brought in as a Saturn. In fact, there is only one Saturn that answers that description today. That’s the Astra. The Outlook is an American Lamda platform prodcut. The Vue is from GM’s South Korean unit called GMDAT. And the Sky is American as well.
Do your homework.
09/24, 7:42 PM
posted by:
inline6
kitko, this car is neither imported from Europe, nor does it share any exterior body panels with the Vectra, IIRC. Just the headlights. The interior is also different.
This isn’t an Opel/Vauxhall in Saturn drag at all.
And LLLL#3, $25,915 for a loaded 4cyl Aura IS about $1k less than a comparably equipped Accord (EX-L Auto $26,925) and $2500 less than a comparably equipped Camry (XLE Auto Option B $28,314).
The Aura’s a bargain for under $26k
09/24, 7:43 PM
posted by:
inline6
I should also mention that, at their prices, the Camry and Accord have one less transmission gear than the Aura does, and don’t do as well on fuel economy.
09/24, 8:11 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
I’m REALLY liking the color combination’s on the interior. It seems like trim designers have been very busy at work. Instead of faux wood trim, I would of rather had it that orangish color.
GM could have done a much better job on the Aura and especially the G6 though. If only they put in the right amount of time into both of those vehicles. Another odd complaint- both have very small trunks. Especially the Aura.
09/24, 8:42 PM
posted by:
snork
Hah…I find it extremely humorous that this article is filed under “Luxury”. I know LLN has been invited to numerous GM events, but c’mon…no Saturn can even be remotely close to be considered a luxury vehicle, LOL.
09/24, 8:46 PM
posted by:
snork
I also forgot to ask how much LLN is getting for posting this propoganda? No doubt the Aura is better than any past Saturns, but it’s still a sea of cheap hard plastics, and yes I have been in one.
09/24, 10:46 PM
posted by:
Vosotros
You think this reads like propaganda? LLN had one piece of “constructive criticism” in pretty much every paragraph. And I don’t think propaganda would say, “it feels very unlike its platform mate Pontiac G6, which has a thumpy suspension and sloppy steering.” LOL.
I also wondered a bit about the Luxury tagging for this. It looks like a nicely equipped Aura, but it’s not really mcuch of a luxury car… that said, I really haven’t spent any time in the Aura, so unlike most of you internet tough guys, I won’t make a snap judgement about a car I haven’t driven. Until I drive one, I rely on reviews like this!
09/24, 10:49 PM
posted by:
Vosotros
Oh and emgeebee, I thought the Vue was based on the Opel Antara. Those two aren’t Korea-designed, are they? And, yeah, the Aura is related to the Vectra, like LLN said… but that’s because both cars ride on Epsilon architecture, which is a global platform.
09/25, 2:10 AM
posted by:
Jordan
the opel antara was designed and is manufactured by gm daewoo in south korea… it’s sold in korea as the daewoo winstorm, i think.
09/25, 9:53 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
i only play an internet tough guy on mondays and tuesdays
isn’t the Sky also just an Opel GT ?
09/25, 9:59 AM
posted by:
angelo
megeebee, the Opel Antara and Saturn Vue are nearly identical, so are the Astras. The Opel GT and the Saturn Sky are nearly identical too. The Aura and the Vectra are extremely similar too, having just branding changes (such as the interior).
Now the Outlook is not Opel based, it’s just the same think as the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.
This is all good news though, no reason to hide it. Opel is an excellent brand, they’ve won several awards for their quality, design and engineering. GM does Saturn well by imitating Opel. Not unlike VW, the new Saturn line is an upscale mainstream brand that sits above Toyota and Honda “in upscale feel” on the way to a more luxurious brand. I think GM would like for Cadillac to be that next step, but it’s probably BMW or Audi.
What we need to figure out is: why are these cars not selling better? I like the Astra a lot. If I didn’t already own a small car in my Z4, I would be all over it. The ride is solid and the whole car feels like it was built way better than your typical econobox. People should be flocking to Saturn dealers are their great revamping of an awful line of vehicles into this new modern and superior Saturn.
09/25, 10:49 AM
posted by:
sentinel1111
GM and Saturn are not doing a good job of branding their vehicles and because of this people are not flocking to the dealers. If like you say Saturn is along the lines of an entry level luxury car then they are well off the mark in branding for it.
09/25, 12:04 PM
posted by:
megeebee
“Vosotros
Oh and emgeebee, I thought the Vue was based on the Opel Antara.”
.
GM’s South Korean division designed what we call the Saturn Vue, and what the Europeans call the Opel Antara. It is also sold in Asian markets as the Chevrolet Captiva. Yes, all 3 were a project of the division known as GMDAT.
09/25, 12:28 PM
posted by:
inline6
angelo is completely incorrect
The Opel Antara, Saturn Vue, and the Chevy Captiva/Daewoo G3X all may ride the same platform, but the platform is not a Daewoo design. It’s a GM design. And since 2005, GM has globalized its design and engineering processes. The Theta II is one of the first vehicle platforms to call no particular country home.
The Vectra and Aura share no body panels, no engines (except the 3.6L, IIRC), and they don’t share an interior, either. They only share headlights. They’re as different as the Aura and Malibu.
The Opel GT is built in WILMINGTON, DE, and came into being only AFTER the Sky and Solstice were on the market here.
The Outlook is all-American.
Only the Astra is a direct European or Asian transplant. The rest were designed either globally, or in America only.
And the reason Saturn sales aren’t taking off is because Saturn is chasing a new market segment: mainstream cars. Saturn now has 4 vehicles out of 5 that can be equipped above $30k. No one’s used to buying a midsize sedan, or a large crossover from Saturn. But, given the fact that they canned their best-selling car, the Ion, and sales haven’t fallen, but stayed the same, means that they ARE making inroads in the midsize/larger vehicle market. They can’t get Astras here in good supply (plus they’re expensive for what you get), so considering that Saturn is barely competing in a market they used to own, and is fielding vehicles in segments they’ve never been in (or underrepresented) before, and has maintained sales levels from the last 5 years, I’d say they’re doing just fine.
And they’re doing it with all above-average (some are class-leading) vehicles, to boot. Not bad at all.
09/25, 12:38 PM
posted by:
Mike the loser
@ Inline 6, i think Camry and Accord have been the top dogs for so long that Saturn just going to have to price Aura even lower.
09/25, 12:40 PM
posted by:
rob2299usa
inline6 you took the words right out of my mouth… the opel GT is a saturn sky not the other way around!!
09/25, 12:55 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
The Sky is such a sexy car. Every time I see one, I just watch it go by.
09/25, 1:08 PM
posted by:
Patriot
I own a fully equipped ‘07 Aura XR, and it’s a NICE ride. Paid significantly less than if I had equipped a Camry or Accord to the same spec. I’d buy an Aura again, but I’d rather go with the Volt when it’s available.
09/25, 1:29 PM
posted by:
inline6
Mike, the Aura is $1k less than the Accord, and with 6 speeds, not 5. The Aura is built by union labor with legacy costs at pay scales twice that of what the Accord is built at.
Same goes for the Camry, which is $2500 more expensive than the Aura, and with one less gear, to boot.
If Saturn, over time, continues to build excellent midsize cars at a lower price than Camry and Accord, it will take sales from them.
The Aura is truly economical, since it gets better milage AND costs less to buy.
09/25, 5:41 PM
posted by:
ktulu
this uis a good car.
cossts less 2 buy & costs less 2 own
09/25, 6:52 PM
posted by:
autonut
Maybe it is less to buy, but if you intend to sell it, you will get much less even measured proportionally. Basically, Camry and Accord keep their value much better then anything from GM. Even Vibe kepp value less then Matrix and it is the same car.
09/25, 10:25 PM
posted by:
sj79
autonut,
GM vehicles have better residuals than ever. Just look at the lease rates on GM cars vs Honda and Toyota cars. Conversely the import brands are discounting and rebating more than they ever have before. I would never base a car purchasing decision on potential resale value. That is someting you cannot predict with certainty and I think it’s funny that the main thing Toyota and Honda owners think about is how much their car will be worth when they get rid of it. Resale values are also calculated based on MSRPs so it’s tough to actually know what true resale numbers are. Even if your car is worth more you can make up the difference via low financing or other deals offered by American brands when it’s time for a new car.
09/25, 10:26 PM
posted by:
sj79
someone said the Aura’s trunk is too small but its larger than the Accord’s and about the same as the camry’s. The Aura has a 14.9 cu ft trunk vs 14.1 for the larger Accord. I dont get how Honda’s engineers took one of the biggest cars in this class and got a small trunk.
09/26, 2:43 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
XR is the class leader second to the hot selling Malibu. The G6 is close, but it is obviously older design.
The Accord and Camry are overrated and don’t even compete. Americans would rather drive a GM product anyways
An American Revolution
09/26, 7:28 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
sj79- That someone is me. I said that because the opening is relatively small and the trunk space thin. Great for carrying groceries, not for larger objects. Just a minor nag, but for someone who only owns a sedan like this it could very well be a much bigger gripe.
09/28, 12:17 PM
posted by:
RTT10
ummmmm need more oil for gm the malibu is not hot selling.. all ur GM american pos cars are overrated.. specially ur aveo
10/19, 3:23 PM
posted by:
angelo
Inline6, Inever mentioned Daewoo, nor did I claim that the Astra was based on their design. That was said by someone else.
Furthermore, the Opel is identical to the Sky… regardless of which car preceeded the other.
The Aura and the Malibu are extremely similar too. go to the dealerships and sit in both… engines, transmissions, stereo, a/c, feautures, gauges, buttons… it’s all the same parts bin. A good parts bin, but the Saturn is very similar under its skin to the Opel/Vauxhall; we just get less choices.
11/25, 1:59 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
how many of you actually own this car??? you complain and what not about how bad it is and don’t even drive one! we have a 2007 gray aura xr with just over 21,000 miles and have not had a single problem with it yet. the it was mine to begin with but i got my current 2008 passat. the 252hp in it feels great and you never feel the need to have more. before buying the aura, we looked at the accord, camry, and mazda 6. they toyota felt like a boat. the honda looked/felt boring. the mazda looked way too old looking from the inside/outside. the choice was clear, Aura XR! the only problem i can see is of this is not being able to go to the dealer if gm goes bankrupt like everyone says.