2008 Saturn Aura

(*est. $19,745 to $24,955)

Pros

Stylish
Good value
Suspension, braking and fuel efficiency
Impressive standard safety features

Cons

Budget-grade materials
Cramped rear seat
Sluggish acceleration and steering

Our Analysis

Trunk space isn't impressive, and several testers complained of dirty hands caused by poor lid design. Performance-wise, slow steering is an issue. And acceleration is sluggish with the four-cylinder engine. Gas mileage on the conventional engines is acceptable, but road testing of the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid (*est. $22,140) revealed little difference in observed fuel economy. Most sources point out that the Aura doesn't surpass class leaders such as the Honda Accord (*est. $20,360 to $28,060) or Toyota Camry (*est. $18,720 to $28,270) in any aspect other than its ability to offer comparable equipment at a lower price.

We found the best, most credible reviews for the 2008 Saturn Aura from Consumer Reports magazine, ConsumerGuide.com and Car and Driver magazine. Motor Trend magazine provides a summary of the Aura's showing in comparative testing, and editors of Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book offer easy-to-read, detailed articles covering the Aura alone.

Sources say that the Saturn Aura's exterior is cleanly styled and projects a more upscale image than its price would suggest, and that the interior is handsome and quite comfortable for four. The Saturn Aura rides on a solid chassis, and the suspension absorbs bumps well. Braking is more than adequate. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash-test results are excellent, and the 2008 Saturn Aura carries a generous list of standard safety features, including antilock brakes, traction control, curtain-side airbags and OnStar vehicle assistance. Most sources say three adults won't last longer than a cross-town trip in the backseat, though, and drivers may find that the center console intrudes on their knee space.

Where To Buy

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2008 Saturn Aura

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports evaluates just about every family sedan on the U.S. market, including the 2008 Saturn Aura. One feature of this review is Consumer Reports' documentation on reliability, which predicts future trends based on past-model-year data. The editors' testing also focuses on ride quality, handling and safety.

Review: 2008 Saturn Aura Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver pits the Saturn Aura against perennial favorites in this evaluation of four-cylinder automatic-transmission family sedans. It places fourth here because of shortcomings that reviewers claim are the result of excessive corner-cutting by GM's designers.

Review: 2007 Honda Accord vs. Nissan Altima, Kia Optima, Saturn Aura, Toyota Camry, Chrysler Sebring, Aaron Robinson, Feb. 2007

3. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

Motor Trend's Car of the Year judges are encouraged by the direction that the Aura represents for Saturn, though there are still a few design and performance issues that prevent the Aura from becoming a class leader.

Review: 2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Testing and Finalists, Allyson Harwood

4. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com road-tests the vehicles it reviews, ranking each one against a class average. The 2008 Saturn Aura scores just above the average for the midsize segment, but its strong showings in performance- and value-related categories earn the Aura a "Recommended" label.

Review: 2008 Saturn Aura Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 9, 2008

5. Edmunds.com

Editors of Edmunds.com conclude that the Aura may represent a solid choice for family-sedan buyers who prefer a domestic car. Although this summary doesn't include the results of any official head-to-head assessment, the Saturn Aura is compared with its rivals in an informal way.

Review: 2008 Saturn Aura Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

6. Kelley Blue Book

Though not a formal comparison, this resource offers price-based lists of editors' top picks for family sedans. Vehicle-specific reviews -- which include comprehensive, easy-to-read, consumer-friendly overviews of each model's performance and value -- are also available. The 2008 Saturn Aura is on this fairly inclusive list.

Review: Recommended Shopping Lists: Mid-Size Sedans, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

2011 Honda Accord Base MSRP: $21,380 to $29,630

11 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2012 Ford Fusion Base MSRP: $19,850 to $29,000

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Ford Taurus Base MSRP: $25,555 to $38,155

8 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Avalon Base MSRP: $33,195 to $36,435

7 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Toyota Camry Base MSRP: $20,195 to $29,845

5 picks including: FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds.com…

2011 Chevrolet Malibu Base MSRP: $21,975 to $27,165