- Transmission
- 4-Speed Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
- Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering
- Telescopic Steering Column
- Suspension
- Front Suspension With Springs and Shock Absorbers
- Rear Suspension With Springs and Shock Absorbers
- Electrical
- Battery
- Delayed Power Retention
- 2 Front Power Outlets
- Drive-By-Wire Control For Throttle
- Braking & Traction
- 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
- Front Power Disc and Rear Power Disc Brakes
- Traction Control
- Safety
- Front Side Airbags
- Trunk Anti-Trap Device
- Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
- Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
- Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
- Front Side Head Curtain Airbags
- Front Passenger and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors
- Crumple Zones
- Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
- Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
- Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
- Front Pretensioners
- Retractors
- Crumple Zones
- Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
- Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
- Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
- Front Pretensioners
- Side Guard Door Beams
- Anti-Theft & Locks
- OnStar® Stolen Vehicle Tracking
- Child Safety Door Locks Located On Rear Doors
- Programmable Power Door Locks With Automatic Locking
- Selective Locking/Unlocking Via Remote
- Vehicle Anti-Lockout
- Vehicle Anti-Theft Via PASS-Key III Plus Engine Immobilizer
- Remote Controls & Remote Releases
- Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob
- Multi-Function Remote Operates Door Lock/Unlock and Trunk
- Remote Trunk Release Located On Multi-Function Remote
- Remote Fuel Door Release
- Braking & Traction
- StabiliTrak® Vehicle Stability Control System
- Engines & Emissions
- 3.5-Liter, V6, 12-Valve, SEFI Engine
- Engine Block Heater
- Entertainment, Communication & Navigation
- AM/FM Radio With 6-Disc CD Changer
- Saturn Advanced Audio System
- Rear Sound Controls
- Instrumentation
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Audio
- Interior, Design, Decor & Floor Covering
- Premium Front and Rear Carpeted Floor Mats
- Woodgrain Trim
- Front Carpeted Floor Mats
- Power Adjustable Foot Pedals
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Leather Located On Shift Knob
- Remote Controls & Remote Releases
- Universal Garage Door Opener
- Remote Ignition
- Seats
- Driver Power Seat Adjusts 8 Ways Total
- Front Dual Heated Seats
- Front Passenger Power Seat Adjusts 6 Ways Total
- Leather Seats
- Special Package
- Advanced Audio Package
- Preferred Package
- Convenience Package
- Carbon Flash Special Edition Package
- Enhanced Convenience Package
- Premium Trim Package
- Premium Trim Package
- Steering
- Hydraulic Power Rack and Pinion Steering
- Sunroof/Moonroof & Removable/Convertible Top
- Power Tilt and Slide Sunroof
- Wheels & Tires
- Alloy Wheels, 17-in.
- Chrome Alloy Wheels, 17-in.
- Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
- Heated Electrochromic Exterior Rearview Mirrors
- Heated Exterior Mirrors
- Electrochromic Interior Rearview Mirror
- Key Technical Specs
- Standard Engine: 3.6L V6
- Standard Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic
- Cylinders: 6
- Horsepower @ RPM: 252@6300
- Torque @ RPM: 251@3200 (foot-lbs)
- Airbags
- Driver Airbag: Standard
- Passenger Airbag: Standard
- Passenger Air Bag Cutoff Switch/Sensor: Standard
- Front Side Airbag: Standard
- Second Row Side Airbag: N/A
- Front Side Airbag with Head Protection: N/A
- Second Row Side Airbag with Head Protection: N/A
- Side Head Curtain Airbags: Standard
- General Safety Features
- Side Guard Door Beams: Standard
- Safety Rollbar: N/A
- Child Safety Door Locks: Standard
- Trunk Anti-Trap Device: Standard
- Locking Pickup Truck Tailgate: N/A
- Panic Button or Alarm: Standard
- Theft Prevention
- Vehicle Anti-Lockout Device: Standard
- Selective Locking/Unlocking: Standard
- Valet Lockout: N/A
- Wheel Locks: N/A
- Locking Fuel Filler Door or Cap: N/A
- Vehicle Theft Tracking/Notification: Standard
- Detailed Warranty Information
- Basic: Saturn Service Plan Warranty corrects any vehicle defect related to materials or workmanship. Original Owner may return vehicle for any reason if not completely satisfied within 30 days/1500 miles, whichever comes first.
- Basic Miles: 36,000
- Basic Months: 36
- Towing: Towing is available to nearest Saturn dealer for warranty covered breakdowns.
- Towing Miles: 60,000
- Towing Months: 60
- Extended Warranty: Several Saturn Service Plan options are available for purchase.
- Rust: Warranty covers any body sheet metal panel that actually rusts through (an actual hole). Cosmetic or surface rust corrosion is not covered.
- Rust Miles: 100,000
- Rust Months: 72
- Paint: Covers damage (in the form of blotchy, ringlet shaped discolorations or small irregular dark spots etched into paint surfaces) caused by airborne pollutants.
- Paint Miles: 12,000
- Paint Months: 12
- Powertrain: Part of Saturn Service Plan Warranty .
- Powertrain Miles: 100,000
- Powertrain Months: 60
- Tires: Covered by tire manufacturer.
- Transferability: Fully transferable to subsequent owners at no cost for remainder of warranty.
| Saturn AURA XE | Honda ACCORD LX | Toyota CAMRY LE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 2.4-liter 4-cyl. | 2.4-liter 4-cyl. | 2.4-liter 4-cyl. |
| Horsepower | 169 @ 6,400 | 177 @ 6,500 | 158 @ 6,000 |
| Torque | 160 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 | 161 lb.-ft. @ 4,300 | 161 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 |
| Wheels | 17 steel " | 16 steel " | 16 steel " |
| Tires | 225/50R17 | 215/60R16 | 215/60R16 |
| Frontal Impact Crash Rating | 5-star/5-star | 5-star/5-star | 5-star/5-star |
| Side Impact Crash Rating | 5-star/5-star | to be rated | 5-star/5-star |
| XM Radio (3-month trial) | standard | not available | not available |
| Satellite Communication | OnStar® | not available | not available |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5-yr/100,000-mi | 5-yr/60,000-mi | 5-yr/60,000-mi |
| Starting MSRP5 | $20,395 | $21,795 | $21,735 |
| Saturn AURA XR | Honda ACCORD EX V6 | Toyota CAMRY SE V6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Engine | 3.6-liter V6 | 3.5-liter V6 | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 252 @ 6,300 | 268 @ 6,200 | 268 @ 4,700 |
| Torque | 251 lb.-ft. @ 3,200 | 248 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 | 248 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 |
| Wheels | 18 alloy " | 17 alloy " | 17 alloy " |
| Automatic Transmission | 6-speed w/TAPshift® | 5-speed | 6-speed w/seq. shif |
| Frontal Impact Crash Rating | 5-star/5-star | 5-star/5-star | 5-star/5-star |
| Side Impact Crash Rating | 5-star/5-star | to be rated | 5-star/5-star |
| Stability Control+Traction Control | standard | standard | optional |
| Satellite Communication | OnStar® | not available | not available |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5-yr/100,000-mi | 5-yr/60,000-mi | 5-yr/60,000-mi |
| Starting MSRP5 | $25,545 | $26,595 | $25,575 |
“Anyone who has ever rented a car in Europe knows that Opel (GM’s European division) builds taut, serious cars with the everyday athleticism that European drivers expect... With the Aura, all those sensations are here: the heavy, positive feel in the steering, the augured-down suspension (struts in front, multi-links in the rear), the level cornering, the firm and supportive seats.” – Los Angeles Times
“In the premium mid-size sedan segment, the upscale Aura XR, with supple leather seats, a 252-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission, gives the front-wheel-drive versions of the Audi A4 and Volvo S60 sedans a very good run for the money.” – WashingtonPost.com
“...at last, Saturn’s in the same league as Honda, Toyota, Mazda and VW.” – Los Angeles Times
“It is the first genuinely likable, got-to-have, give-me-that-one sedan to come from Saturn.” – WashingtonPost.com
The Aura’s road manners are a pleasant surprise. The four-wheel independent suspension has front and rear stabilizer bars, and when cornering, the XR model remains impressively flat for a family sedan; body roll is well controlled. The suspension is tuned for firmness, but it’s fairly good at damping bumps in the road, too. It’s a setup that’s likely to appeal both to buyers looking for a sporty feel in their sedan as well as those who just need a means of transportation. – Cars.com
The 2008 Saturn Aura is a well-rounded midsize sedan with sufficient levels of style, comfort and performance to please most families of four. If you’re looking for a domestic-brand alternative to the import standbys, this is one of the best choices for 2008. Potent and refined powertrain in XR model, balanced ride and handling, attractive design inside and out, roomy seating for all. – Edmunds.com
User Rating: 9.1 (out of 10) – MSN Autos
User Rating: 4.5 (out of 5) – Yahoo! Autos
