2004 Saturn Ion Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

New interior materials and the midyear addition of a performance-oriented Red Line model highlight Ion's '04 changes. Ion is available in sedan and 4-door "Quad Coupe" forms in three trim levels numbered 1, 2, and 3. These share a 140-hp 4-cyl engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Two automatic transmissions are available. Sedans get a conventional 5 speed. Coupes use a continuously variable unit (CVT) with near-infinite gear ratios. Added midyear was the Ion Red Line coupe with a supercharged 205-hp 4 cyl, mandatory 5-speed manual, sport suspension, and 17-inch wheels vs. 14s, 15s, or 16s on other Ions. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are optional on all models; torso side airbags are unavailable. The 1, 2, and 3 models have front-disc/rear-drum brakes; Red Line has 4-wheel discs. ABS is standard on Red Line, optional on the others, and includes traction control. Ion's Quad Coupe has two rear-opening half doors behind the front doors. They do not open or close independently of the fronts. Ion locates its instruments in the center of the dashboard rather than in front of the driver. Split folding rear seatbacks are standard. The coupe's front passenger seat folds forward to create a 10-foot-long storage channel. Leather upholstery is optional on 3 sedans and coupes. A newly available MP3 option upgrades the existing CD player to read discs recorded in MP3 format. All Ions have revised interior trim with new "soft touch" surfaces.

News

Ion arrived to very mixed reviews and shows no sign of becoming a sales threat to class leaders Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. No significant near-term changes are forecast, but a new front-end look is said to on for 2005. In '06, Saturn will introduce its first rear-drive car, its first 2-seater, and its first convertible. Intended to a brand image- and sales-booster, the still-to-be-named addition shares GM's new Kappa platform with the Mazda Miata-like 2006 Pontiac Soltice convertible and one other version, probably a Chevrolet. The Saturn will naturally share Solstice underskin components, including a 170-hp 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine and standard 5-speed manual transmission. Styling will unique, however. In fact, GM says this model will launch a new Saturn look. Starting price is expected to be under $20,000, as on the Solstice. Keep checking back with us for the latest rumors and hard news.

2004 Saturn Ion Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Interior materials

Acceleration (Redline)	Noise

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

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

1s, 2s, 3s 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 model suffered copious tire slip when accelerating from a stop on wet pavement. CVT coupe unavailable for testing. Red Line's supercharged engine adds healthy dose of responsive power, and its shifter has shorter throws than in other manual-transmission Ions.

Fuel Economy

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
6	7	7	6	6.6

Test 2-model sedan with automatic transmission averaged 22 mpg; test 3 coupe with manual averaged 25.1 mpg. No opportunity to measure Red Line. Saturn recommends premium-grade fuel for Red Line, regular-grade fuel for others.

Ride Quality

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
5	5	5	4	4.4

Firm, controlled suspension readily soaks up small bumps but can jolt over larger ones. No models with 14-inch tires made available for testing yet. Red Line stiffer than others, but not punishing.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
7	7	7	8	5.3

Ions corner with little body lean, feel secure at highway speeds. Level-3 coupes have slightly firmer suspension tuning, but don't handle appreciably better. Red Line firmer still, with less body lean and sharper steering response. Low-speed maneuverability aided by tight turning radius and light steering, but electric-boost steering felt unnatural in some test cars.

Quietness

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

Wind noise well-muted, but 16- and 17-inch tires transmit considerable road noise on some coarse surfaces. Both standard and supercharged engines produce pronounced but refined whine at higher rpm, but are otherwise subdued.

Controls

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

Gauges large, plainly marked. Locating them in center "pod" is an annoying design quirk to some testers. Because the driver need not look through steering wheel to see gauges, wheel on 1, 2, and 3 models is of unusually small diameter; that doesn't affect its function. Red Line steering wheel is of normal size. Controls clearly labeled, easy to reach. Despite upgrading, most interior surfaces and switches look and feel budget-grade.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.1

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 models, and by the 3's slippery optional leather upholstery. Red Line seats have prominent bolstering for more side support. Visibility to all directions fine in sedan, marred over-the-shoulder in coupe by rear roof pillars.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
4	4	4	4	3.9

Coupe seats two. Sedan seats three, but center passenger will be squeezed. Acceptable comfort in both body styles, though no excess of foot room, and head room is tight for 6-footers. Quad Coupe door design simplifies rear-seat entry/exit, though once seated, closing rear doors requires uncomfortable reach.

Cargo Room

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
4	4	4	4	3.9

Good trunk volume for the class and a low liftover. All have 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks that fold flat. Coupes have added convenience of folding front passenger seat to accommodate long items.

Value within Class

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
5	5	5	4	5.6

Despite still-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. Note that contrary to long-standing policy, Saturn is now offering rebates.

Total Score

2 sdn, auto.	2 cpe, man.	3 cpe, man.	Red Line	Class Average
48	49	48	48	48.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		64

2004 Saturn Ion Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/22/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Ion 1 4-door sedan, manual	$10,430	$9,753	$565

Ion 1 4-door sedan, automatic	$11,410	$10,665	$565

Ion 2 4-door sedan, manual	$14,185	$13,246	$565

Ion 2 4-door sedan, automatic	$15,085	$14,083	$565

Ion 2 4-door coupe, manual	$14,735	$13,758	$565

Ion 2 4-door coupe, CVT automatic	$15,635	$14,595	$565

Ion 3 4-door sedan, manual	$15,710	$14,664	$565

Ion 3 4-door sedan, automatic	$16,610	$15,501	$565

Ion 3 4-door coupe, manual	$16,235	$15,153	$565

Ion 3 4-door coupe, CVT automatic	$17,135	$15,990	$565

Red Line 4-door coupe, manual	$20,385	$19,012	$565

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

Powertrain

2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, visor mirrors, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, remote decklid release.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 185/70R14 tires, wheel covers.

2 adds to 1:

Powertrain

Continuously variable automatic transmission (coupe automatic).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, height-adjustable driver seat, fold-flat passenger seat (coupe), power door locks, rear-hinged rear doors (coupe), AM/FM/CD player.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

195/60R15 tires.

3 adds to 2:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, sport suspension (coupe), 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Red Line adds to 3:

Powertrain

2.0-liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth/leather upholstery.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, Red Line suspension, 215/45WR17 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Power Pkg.
2	$825	$767
Cruise control, power mirrors and windows, remote keyless entry, alarm.

Travel Pkg.
2, 3	$200	$186
Automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, map lights.

Safe and Sound Pkg.
2	$1,475	$1,372
3	$1,495	$1,390
Travel Pkg. plus curtain side airbags, antilock brakes, OnStar assistance system, w/one-year service, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player (2), AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer (3).

Safety
Curtain side airbags
1, 2, 3, Red Line	$395	$367


Antilock brakes
1, 2, 3	$400	$372
Includes traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system
2, 3	$695	$646
Includes one-year service. Requires Travel Pkg. 2 requires optional radio.

Air conditioning
1	$960	$893


Power sunroof
2, 3, Red Line	$725	$674
2 requires Power Pkg.

Leather upholstery
3	$700	$651
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel.

AM/FM/CD player
1	$290	$270


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
1	$510	$474
2	$220	$205


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
2	$460	$428
3, Red Line	$240	$223


Satellite radio
2, 3	$325	$302
2 requires optional radio.

Premium radio system
2, 3, Red Line	$290	$270
2 requires Power Pkg., optional radio.

Floormats
1, 2, 3, Red Line	$80	$74


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
2, 3	$250	$233


Accent color roof rails
1, 2, 3, Red Line	$125	$116


Alloy wheels
2	$375	$349

2004 Saturn Ion Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Saturn Ion 4-door coupe	Saturn Ion 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.2	103.2

Overall Length, in.	185.0	184.5

Overall Width, in.	67.9	67.2

Overall Height, in.	56.0	57.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2751	2692

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.2	14.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2	13.2

Seating Capacity	4	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9	40.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	36.5	37.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.7	33.3

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

Engines

	dohc I4	Supercharged dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.2 /134	2.0 /121

Horsepower @ rpm.	140 @ 5800	205 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	145 @ 4400	200 @ 4400

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	26/35	23/29

5-speed automatic	23/32	--/--

CVT automatic	25/32	--/--

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	Saturn Ion 4-door coupe	Saturn Ion 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5	5

Rollover Resistance	4	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3	3

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	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	Saturns have a 30-day, 1500-mile money back guarantee.

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

< 2004 Saturn Ion Photos

Also in the 2004 Saturn Ion Review:

Saturn Ion

Saturn Ion Road Test

Saturn Ion Prices & Equipment

Saturn Ion Specs & Safety

Saturn Ion Photos

Saturn Ion Full Review

All Saturn Ions

All Saturns