2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Oldsmobile's flagship loses its V6 version for 2003, which the company says will be Aurora's final model year. Aurora shares its platform with the Pontiac Bonneville and Buick LeSabre. A V8 engine with automatic transmission is now the only powertrain. Standard are front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and antiskid system. Also standard are automatic load-leveling suspension, tire-inflation monitor, and General Motors' OnStar assistance system. Optional is a "navigational radio" system that stores maps on CDs and gives directions via a dashboard-mounted screen or by audio instructions. Olds says production of the Aurora will cease in May 2003, and that the final 500 vehicles will wear Collector Edition trim with special wheels, paint, and badging.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has its benchmark in the Lexus ES 300. It blends comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 manages to offer a little more luxury than others in the class.

We Recommend the Acura TL, Audi A4, and new Infiniti G35. All offer comfort, speed, and nimble handling at attractive prices. The sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series is Recommended as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

News

As the last of their kind, the '03 Auroras might be collector's items one day--but not now. Oldsmobile's imminent demise means heavier than usual first-year depreciation that must be weighed against the extended warranty, 0-percent financing and other sweetners now being offered on all remaining Olds models. Still, an '03 Aurora could make sense if you can cut a good deal, provided you don't mind driving an "orphan." GM has already announced that the very last Auroras come off the line next May.

2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear visibility

Passenger room	Climate controls

	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Class Average
7	6.5

Impressive at any speed. Transmission is smooth and alert.

Fuel Economy

Base	Class Average
3	4.5

Test Aurora averaged 14.1 mpg. Olds recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Base	Class Average
7	7.1

Copes comfortably with most surfaces, though too firm on rough pavement with the standard 17-inch tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Class Average
7	6.7

Credible near-luxury road manners, but not as athletic as European sport sedans. Steering provides good feedback. Braking is strong and drama-free, though some Auroras tested had overly firm brake-pedal feel.

Quietness

Base	Class Average
7	6.8

Low wind and tire noise. Engine is quiet, but sounds less refined than best import brands.

Controls

Base	Class Average
5	6.6

Audio unit mounted low, requiring long look away to adjust, though redundant steering-wheel buttons help. We have not had an opportunity to test the navigation system. Climate controls are a bit too complex. Rearward visibility limited by high tail, bulky center stop lamp.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Class Average
7	7.2

More than adequate leg and head room, even with sunroof. Plenty of seat/steering-wheel adjustments for drivers to get comfortable, though lumbar support feels too prominent to some testers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Class Average
5	5.5

Plenty of room for tall folks, but cushion is too small and too soft to provide much support. Entry/exit poses no problem.

Cargo Room

Base	Class Average
4	3.9

Generous trunk, with large opening and low liftover, but lid hinges dip into cargo area.

Value within Class

Base	Class Average
3	5.7

Few other sedans in this class offer a V8, but we doubt Aurora tempts Lexus or BMW owners. This is, however, a pleasant, slightly sporty all-arounder that could appeal to value-minded near-luxury buyers. But you'd have to keep your Aurora 5-10 years to mitigate the resale-value damage caused by the phaseout of Oldsmobile.

Total Score

Base	Class Average
55	60.5

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		60
High Score		70

2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/17/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$34,725	$31,773	$720

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

4.0-liter dohc V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, daytime running lights, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), leather upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, rear-seat trunk pass-through, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors, outside-temperature indicator, overhead console, map lights, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, power remote decklid and fuel-door release, automatic headlights, floormats, front and rear fog lights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, automatic load-leveling suspension, 235/55HR17 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Collector's Edition
Base	$1,115	$992
Unique badging and floormats, special chrome alloy wheels. Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg., Convenience Pkg., heated front seats.

Passenger Comfort Pkg.
Base	$440	$392
Dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear-seat ducts, 6-way power passenger seat w/lumbar adjustment, rear storage armrest, additional cupholders.

Convenience Pkg.
Base	$565	$503
w/power sunroof	$455	$405
Memory system (driver seat and mirrors), automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, rain-sensing wipers, universal garage-door opener. Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$1,195	$1,064
Includes universal garage-door opener.

Navigational radio system
Base	$1,035	$921
Includes Bose speakers. Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg., 12-disc CD changer.

Bose sound system
Base	$500	$445
Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg.

12-disc CD changer
Base	$460	$409
Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg.

Heated front seats
Base	$345	$307
Requires Passenger Comfort Pkg.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Gold Pkg.
Base	$175	$156


Special paint
Base	$550	$489


Engine-block heater
Base	$40	$36


Chrome alloy wheels
Base	$800	$712

2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Oldsmobile Aurora 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	199.3

Overall Width, in.	72.9

Overall Height, in.	56.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3802

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.0 /244

Horsepower @ rpm.	250 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	260 @ 4400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/28

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Oldsmobile Aurora 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	GM Protection Plan, see dealer for details.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Photos

Also in the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora Review:

Oldsmobile Aurora

Oldsmobile Aurora Road Test

Oldsmobile Aurora Prices & Equipment

Oldsmobile Aurora Specs & Safety

Oldsmobile Aurora Photos

Oldsmobile Aurora Full Review

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