2000-2005 Saturn L-Series - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	Saturn L300 Rating (See All Ratings)

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	6

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	6

Value within Class	6

Total Score:	53

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model

2000-2005 SATURN L-SERIES BUYING RESOURCES

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2000-2005 Saturn L-Series Review

The L-Series sedan and station wagon could have a V6 instead of the four cylinder common to the smaller S-Series. The new front-drive midsize 4-door sedan and wagon were based on the German-made Opel Vectra. Assembled in Delaware, the L-Series used Saturn's familiar dent- and rust-resistant polymer panels for front fenders, doors, and bumper fascias. Other body parts were made of steel. Sedans came in LS, LS1, and LS2 form. Wagons were named LW1 and LW2. LS, LS1, and LW1 models used a new GM 4-cylinder engine. The LS2 and LW2 borrowed a 3.0-liter V6 from Saab, another GM company, but omitted Saab's turbocharger. LS and LS1 vehicles could have 5-speed manual shift or a 4-speed automatic transmission; the others were automatic-only. All models seated five and had 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks. LS2 and LW2 versions had 4-wheel disc brakes. Antilock brakes were optional, coupled with traction control.

Year to Year Changes

2001 Saturn L: Inflatable side-curtain airbags became optional on all models for 2001. All L-Series models were renamed. Instead of LS, LS1, and LS2, the sedans now were known as L100, L200, and L300, respectively. Wagons switched from LW1 and LW2 to LW200 and LW300. Models with "100" and "200" suffixes had a 4-cylinder engine, while "300" designated vehicles came with the 3.0-liter V6.

2002 Saturn L: Curtain side airbags were among previously optional features made standard for 2002. And added midyear was an optional rear-seat DVD video entertainment system. Other new options included a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, and, at midyear, an automatic climate system.

2003 Saturn L: All models gained a chrome grille, larger headlights, and revised rear appearance. Silver-colored plastic console and instrument-panel trim is new. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels replace 15s on 300 models; the 16s are optional on 200s.

2004 Saturn L: The L-Series gets renamed L300 in 2004. Also new is the return to standard antilock brakes, which were optional last year.

2005 Saturn L: Wagon models were dropped, leaving only sedans for the L-Serie's final season.

2000-2005 Saturn L-Series Road Test >

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