Acceleration

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	4

Adequate from a stop with either manual transmission or conventional automatic. That's reflected in Saturn's 0-60-mph estimates of 9.5 sec with manual transmission, 10.0 with the 5-speed automatic. Once underway, manual-transmission versions feel lively, have pleasant shift action. Automatic is quick to downshift and doesn't hurt acceleration much. Despite traction control, test manual-transmission level 3 sedan suffered copious tire slip when accelerating from a stop on wet pavement. CVT coupe unavailable for testing.

Fuel Economy

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	6.5

Test 2-model sedan with automatic transmission averaged 22 mpg. No opportunity to measure other versions, but EPA fuel-economy estimates are lower than for such rivals as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Saturn recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	4.4

Surprisingly firm. Sporty suspension tuning delivers a controlled ride, but bump absorption may disappoint. No models with 14-inch tires made available for testing yet.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
6	7	7	5.3

A high point. Steering firm, direct, nicely weighted. Ions corner with little body lean, feel secure at highway speeds. Level 2 coupes have slightly firmer suspension tuning, but don't handle appreciably better. Electric-boost steering feels unnatural to some drivers.

Quietness

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	3	3	3.7

Wind noise well-muted, but 16-inch tires transmit considerable road noise on some coarse surfaces. Engine produces pronounced but refined whine at higher rpm; is otherwise subdued.

Controls

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	5.6

Gauges large, plainly marked. Locating them in center "pod" is an annoying design quirk to some testers. Others find looking right to read instruments instead of down quickly becomes second nature. Because the driver need not look through steering wheel to see gauges, wheel is of unusually small diameter; that doesn't affect its function. Controls clearly labeled, easy to reach. Most interior surfaces and switches look and feel budget-grade.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	5	5	4.8

Ion is among the largest subcompacts. That pays off in front-seat room. Even robust drivers have plenty of head and leg space. However, seats are flat and lack side support, a deficit exaggerated by absence of a center armrest on 1 and 2 models, and by the 3's slippery optional leather upholstery. Visibility to all directions fine in sedan, marred over-the-shoulder in coupe by rear roof pillars.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	4	4	3.7

Both body styles seat two in acceptable comfort. No excess of foot room, however, and though seat is too low for optimal support, head room is still tight for 6-footers. Quad Coupe door design simplifies rear-seat entry/exit, though once seated, closing the rear doors requires an uncomfortable reach.

Cargo Room

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
4	4	6	3.8

Sedans have good trunk volume for the class, and a low liftover. All sedans have 60/40 split rear seatbacks that fold flat. Coupes have added convenience of folding front passenger seat.

Value within Class

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
5	5	5	5.4

Saturn damaged its image by keeping the subpar S-Series little changed for more than a decade. The Ion is better in every way, though it doesn't give this General Motors division a subcompact-class leader. Still, despite disappointing interior decor, Ion matches most like-priced competitors for comfort and performance. The Quad Coupe has more storage flexibility and easier rear-seat entry/exit than other subcompact coupes. And no rival offers Saturn's dent-resistant, rustproof body panels or its no-haggle, one-price policy.

Total Score

2 sdn, auto.	3 sdn, man.	2 cpe, man.	Class Average
46	47	49	47.2

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		47
High Score		62