Photos: 2007 Saturn Aura
Saturn's big sedan is an unruly beast in some ways--spinning its front wheels from a standing start--and it also features a decent stereo. Too bad about those door panels.
Saturn offers a big sedan for a reasonable price with its Aura. The Aura features a powerful engine and room for five in the cabin.
We like the feel of the rubberized material covering the top of the dashboard. The glossy plastic faux-wood accents are passable, used in many other cars, but plastic panels designed to look like stitched leather on the doors are atrocious.
The front of the Aura uses a very modern design, with headlight assemblies cutting into hood corners and a two-tier grille cut in half by the bumper.
The arched roof of the Aura gives the car a European look. We were impressed by the stock wheels.
Twin exhausts signal the performance characteristics of the engine in the Aura. A slightly pointed trunk deck gives an almost nautical impression.
The head unit module is similar to what we saw in the Buick Lucerne. In the Aura, it includes an MP3-friendly six-CD changer. The display does a decent job of showing ID3 tag information. Navigation and in-car telephony are available only through OnStar.
An auxiliary audio input right in the center stack makes plugging in any kind of MP3 player easy.
The Aura surprised us with its rear entertainment system, a set of separate audio controls for the backseat, complete with wireless headphones (and headphone jacks, just in case).
The steering wheel features controls on both spokes for cruise control and the stereo.
The instruments are basic but aesthetically pleasing.
The shifter controls a six-speed automatic. Move it to the M position, and the transmission can be shifted manually from paddle shifters on the steering wheel spokes.
To shift with the paddle shifters, push for an upshift and pull for a downshift. Because the paddles are attached to the wheel, they are difficult to shift during tight cornering.
The variable-valve-timed V-6 turning the front wheels of the Aura XE is so powerful that it easily overcomes the traction control. The less-expensive XR trim-level Aura uses a 3.5-liter V-6 that is less technically advanced, along with a four-speed automatic.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?