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2009 Saturn Sky Quality Review

February 21, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

there's OK leg space and good top-up headroom
ConsumerGuide

the Sky needs more covered, lockable storage so you can leave it parked with the top down
Cars.com

ergonomics and materials quality leaves much to be desired
Edmunds

Nice vehicles like the 2009 Saturn Sky can never please everyone, but the quality of the interior materials and the ergonomics could be a bit better. Packaging for cargo is also a sore point.

The 2009 Saturn Sky arrives as a "two-seat roadster," according to Edmunds, and most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are disappointed by the design of the passenger space. While ConsumerGuide notes "there's OK leg space and good top-up headroom," they also say the seat "padding feels skimpy" and the "low seats won't suit some shorter drivers." Edmunds reports "ergonomics and materials quality leaves much to be desired," and the usefulness of cabin space is impeded by the fact that "the transmission tunnel is unusually wide, which can put the squeeze on larger drivers." Car and Driver also observes that "the interior has tidy forms but ergonomics on par with a game of Twister."

The parade of criticism in this category continues when it comes to interior quality, where ConsumerGuide says that the "cabin is awash in cheap-looking hard plastic" and notes the presence of "numerous interior squeaks and rattles." Cars.com adds "the materials are hard to the touch." On the positive side, many reviewers appreciate the "piano black and metallic trim" on the Sky Saturn that Kelley Blue Book feels dominates the interior, imparting a "sophisticated, contemporary ambience."

Things don't get much better for the 2009 Saturn Sky when it comes to practicality and storage space. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are quick to point out that the trunk on the Sky Saturn is woefully small, even for a convertible. Edmunds says that the trunk offers "just 5.4 cubic feet of space with the top up and practically none with it down," while Cars.com reports "when the top is down, roughly a backpack's worth of space remains, though the top must be lifted to reach it." The interior cargo possibilities on the Saturn Sky aren't very impressive either, and Cars.com reviewers feel "the Sky needs more covered, lockable storage so you can leave it parked with the top down." ConsumerGuide also notes "cockpit storage is meager, even for a sports car."

The Saturn Sky loses yet more points when it comes to cabin noise. Cars.com laments the fact that "the engine noise is rough and...noisy." ConsumerGuide also notices the presence of "annoying wind rush even at moderate speeds," thanks to the "ill-fitting tops."

Conclusion

If you want a high-quality, well-designed interior that delivers noiseless top-up driving, look beyond the Saturn Sky.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:there's OK leg space and good top-up headroomConsumerGuidethe Sky needs more covered, lockable storage so you can leave it parked with the top downCars.comergonomics and materials quality leaves much to be desiredEdmunds Nice vehicles like the 2009 Saturn Sky can never please everyone, but the quality of the interior materials and the ergonomics could be a bit better. Packaging for cargo is also a sore point. The 2009 Saturn Sky arrives as a "two-seat roadster," according to Edmunds, and most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are disappointed by the design of the passenger space. While ConsumerGuide notes "there's OK leg space and good top-up headroom," they also say the seat "padding feels skimpy" and the "low seats won't suit some shorter drivers." Edmunds reports "ergonomics and materials quality leaves much to be desired," and the usefulness of cabin space is impeded by the fact that "the transmission tunnel is unusually wide, which can put the squeeze on larger drivers." Car and Driver also observes that "the interior has tidy forms but ergonomics on par with a game of Twister." The parade of criticism in this category continues when it comes to interior quality, where ConsumerGuide says that the "cabin is awash in cheap-looking hard plastic" and notes the presence of "numerous interior squeaks and rattles." Cars.com adds "the materials are hard to the touch." On the positive side, many reviewers appreciate the "piano black and metallic trim" on the Sky Saturn that Kelley Blue Book feels dominates the interior, imparting a "sophisticated, contemporary ambience." Things don't get much better for the 2009 Saturn Sky when it comes to practicality and storage space. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are quick to point out that the trunk on the Sky Saturn is woefully small, even for a convertible. Edmunds says that the trunk offers "just 5.4 cubic feet of space with the top up and practically none with it down," while Cars.com reports "when the top is down, roughly a backpack's worth of space remains, though the top must be lifted to reach it." The interior cargo possibilities on the Saturn Sky aren't very impressive either, and Cars.com reviewers feel "the Sky needs more covered, lockable storage so you can leave it parked with the top down." ConsumerGuide also notes "cockpit storage is meager, even for a sports car." The Saturn Sky loses yet more points when it comes to cabin noise. Cars.com laments the fact that "the engine noise is rough and...noisy." ConsumerGuide also notices the presence of "annoying wind rush even at moderate speeds," thanks to the "ill-fitting tops." ConclusionIf you want a high-quality, well-designed interior that delivers noiseless top-up driving, look beyond the Saturn Sky.  2009 SATURN SKY STYLING | [9 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "GM's designers knocked the styling right out of the park" Cars.com: "daring, more angular design inspires frequent rubber-necking and mouth-breathing" Car and Driver: "the refinement is turned up a notch over the Solstice" ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The car that reinvented this segment back in 1991, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is still the strongest contender. A quick drive in the Mazda reveals what's lacking in the base Sky roadster: the basics. It offers excellent quality, good ergonomics, and a top that raises and lowers with one hand. Lacking a higher-horsepower version, the Mazda loses its pole position when looking for competitors to the Sky Red Line. That honor goes to the Honda S2000; it brings an incredibly rev-happy, 237-horsepower, 2.2-liter VTEC four-cylinder and six-speed manual that doesn't match the Red Line for straight-line performance but beats it for the tactile experience. For those seeking more power, the torquey Nissan 350Z Roadster is also worth a look. If you want to keep your money in the GM family, the Pontiac Solstice is the only choice. Mechanically identical to the Sky, it offers a different look at a slightly lower price point.

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See the Saturn Sky in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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