13th Place: Saturn Aura

Overview:

When the Aura came out for the 2007 model year, it was hyped as General Motors's return to family sedan dominance, the car that would finally show that the company could build a car as well as Honda and Toyota. All of this has been forgotten as the mechanically similar but somewhat improved Chevrolet Malibu came to the market a year later, earning the same praise and some of the same awards. But what has been ignored is how similar the two cars are. The two share a solid and planted feel with good ride, handling, and refinement, and an undersized rear seat. The Malibu has a slightly nicer interior, but both suffer from a few quality lapses. But although the Malibu is nicer overall, even ignoring the differences between the top-trim Malibu and the middle-trim Aura here, it can't match the Saturn's value. Comparably-equipped, the Aura is more than $3,000 less. Even the line-topping Aura XR, with the Malibu's larger V6 and stiffer suspension, is significantly less expensive. But in no small part because of their shortfall in family-sedan utility, neither is the new class standard that both have been billed as.

Driving the Aura:

The Aura XE has a somewhat firm, though comfortable and absorbent ride. It handles well, and the quick, well-weighted steering returns decent feedback. But while the Aura feels very well-composed, it doesn’t have quite the same sporty character as a Mazda6, and the Malibu's steering feels a bit sharper. The XE's 3.5-liter V6 isn't as smooth or as powerful as the Malibu and Aura XR's larger engine, but it is hardly weak or noisy. There should be less road noise, however. Gas mileage is much better however, one of the best in this group.

Inside the Aura:

Inside, the Aura’s front seats are firm and comfortable, but could use additional lateral support. As in the Malibu, the sloping roofline forces the rear seat to be mounted too low, and head space is still insufficient for adults. The interior uses a mix of high and low-quality materials, and some panels don’t fit together well. The gauges are clear and the instrument layout is simple, though a few displays can wash out in bright sunlight. Drivers sit comfortably, but rearward visibility could be better. Rear seat access is complicated by the low-mounted seat and the sloping roofline. The trunk is adequately roomy and reasonably well-shaped.

Aura pricing:

The Aura, like other Saturns, sells at no-haggle price, which was a relatively low $24,955 for this car when equipped with the group's expected features and GM's OnStar driver assistance system, power-adjustable pedals, and a remote-start system. The Chevrolet Malibu, nearly identically-equipped, ran $27,837, and buyers must haggle with the salesperson for that price.

Conclusion:

Despite its flaws, the Aura, like the Malibu, manages to convey the feel of a premium car. But also like the Malibu, its overall feel is not supported by all interior details, and its family car usability is compromised by relatively tight rear quarters. It works best as a bargain alternative to the Malibu, but it is also worth a look in general for its solid feel for a relatively low price.

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