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2004 Saturn Ion
Date Published: 2/20/08

2004 Saturn Ion
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MSRP:
$10,430 - 20,385

Invoice:
$9,753 - 19,012

Class:
Compact Car
2004 Saturn Ion
Expert Rating Summary
Category 2 sdn, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Compact Car Average Rating
Acceleration 4 4
Fuel Economy 6 6.6
Ride Quality 5 4.4
Steering/Handling/Braking 7 5.3
Quietness 4 4
Controls 4 5.6
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 5 5.1
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 3.9
Cargo Room 4 3.9
Value within Class 5 5.6
Total Score: 48 48.4
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2004 Saturn Ion Review
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.
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