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2009 Saturn Aura Quality Review

March 16, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

worlds better than its predecessors
Car and Driver

Aura's cabin pleases with soft-touch surfaces and quality materials
ConsumerGuide

not without a few rough edges
Edmunds

Reviews read by the TheCarConnection.com’s experts find the 2009 Saturn Aura to be comfortable, but quality suffers a little due some unfinished rough edges.

Test cars suffer some gaps in the panels and seams that are not friendly to the eyes. And while "chrome is sprinkled throughout for added flair," notes MyRide.com, the Saturn Aura overlooks several comforts and finishing touches such as "a rear seat center armrest" and "a close assist handle for the inside of the trunk lid." Particularly remarkable is a “morocco brown” interior leather package that reviewers adore, but as Cars.com observes, “There are rough plastic edges on the glove box, front door pockets and a dash storage cubby, as well as questionable faux stitching accents on the door armrests.” "The interior quality" of the Saturn Aura is, however, "worlds better than its predecessors," vouches Car and Driver, "but it still doesn't quite match the best of the Japanese rivals." ConsumerGuide adds that the cabin of the Saturn Aura contains quality materials and a lot of soft touches.

Edmunds says the Aura "offers all the room, comfort and performance of other General Motors family sedans, but does it with more panache." However, backseat occupants will find that the seats are "lacking in thigh support" and legroom is not as spacious as "the Pontiac G6," reports MyRide.com. “The Aura treats rear passengers to a lavish amount of space—but they must go without a center armrest,” says Edmunds.

The "multi-adjustable front seats" are "comfortable during a lengthy drive," says MyRide.com, adding that the driver can find an optimal position with the telescopic steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals. The upper portion of the driver's door panel is also padded for comfortable elbow resting. Cars.com notes, “The optional leather front seats are firm but comfortable, though very tall drivers might wish for more rearward seat travel.”

Elsewhere in the cabin of the Aura, there’s a lack of “small-item storage," though trunk space is "class-average," says ConsumerGuide. Even so, the trunk is "usefully shaped" and clocks in at "just under 15 cubic feet," according to Edmunds. When it comes to noise, ConsumerGuide comments, "Aura's main demerit here is marked coarse-surface tire thrum. Also, moderate wind rush at highway speeds. V-6 engines sound pleasant enough, though neither is as smooth as the class leaders."

Conclusion

The 2009 Saturn Aura provides its passengers the spaciousness of a larger vehicle, but it lacks some refinement.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:worlds better than its predecessorsCar and DriverAura's cabin pleases with soft-touch surfaces and quality materialsConsumerGuidenot without a few rough edgesEdmunds Reviews read by the TheCarConnection.com’s experts find the 2009 Saturn Aura to be comfortable, but quality suffers a little due some unfinished rough edges. Test cars suffer some gaps in the panels and seams that are not friendly to the eyes. And while "chrome is sprinkled throughout for added flair," notes MyRide.com, the Saturn Aura overlooks several comforts and finishing touches such as "a rear seat center armrest" and "a close assist handle for the inside of the trunk lid." Particularly remarkable is a “morocco brown” interior leather package that reviewers adore, but as Cars.com observes, “There are rough plastic edges on the glove box, front door pockets and a dash storage cubby, as well as questionable faux stitching accents on the door armrests.” "The interior quality" of the Saturn Aura is, however, "worlds better than its predecessors," vouches Car and Driver, "but it still doesn't quite match the best of the Japanese rivals." ConsumerGuide adds that the cabin of the Saturn Aura contains quality materials and a lot of soft touches. Edmunds says the Aura "offers all the room, comfort and performance of other General Motors family sedans, but does it with more panache." However, backseat occupants will find that the seats are "lacking in thigh support" and legroom is not as spacious as "the Pontiac G6," reports MyRide.com. “The Aura treats rear passengers to a lavish amount of space—but they must go without a center armrest,” says Edmunds. The "multi-adjustable front seats" are "comfortable during a lengthy drive," says MyRide.com, adding that the driver can find an optimal position with the telescopic steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals. The upper portion of the driver's door panel is also padded for comfortable elbow resting. Cars.com notes, “The optional leather front seats are firm but comfortable, though very tall drivers might wish for more rearward seat travel.” Elsewhere in the cabin of the Aura, there’s a lack of “small-item storage," though trunk space is "class-average," says ConsumerGuide. Even so, the trunk is "usefully shaped" and clocks in at "just under 15 cubic feet," according to Edmunds. When it comes to noise, ConsumerGuide comments, "Aura's main demerit here is marked coarse-surface tire thrum. Also, moderate wind rush at highway speeds. V-6 engines sound pleasant enough, though neither is as smooth as the class leaders." ConclusionThe 2009 Saturn Aura provides its passengers the spaciousness of a larger vehicle, but it lacks some refinement. 2009 SATURN AURA STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: "fine-looking mid-size family sedan” ConsumerGuide: "mostly handy and intuitive" controls Edmunds: "the 2009 Saturn Aura is a well-rounded midsize sedan with sufficient levels of style" According to TheCarConnection.com's ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Volkswagen Passat is in the same size class as the 2009 Saturn Aura and offers a tightly constructed cabin with a great look and feel. Head-to-head, the 2009 Aura is decidedly sportier in feel than the Hyundai Sonata or the Toyota Camry, more along the lines of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion. While the sophistication of the Hyundai Sonata has improved dramatically, it is not quite the equal of the Aura. The Toyota Camry is the sales leader in this class. The latest Camry, introduced in 2007 alongside the Saturn Aura, has its merits, but also its faults. There are quality issues with this Toyota; to keep costs down, the interior of this generation of Camry exhibits some inexpensive-looking pieces.

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See the Saturn Aura in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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