2007-2008 Saturn Aura: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Aura bowed for 2007 as the first midsize car at General Motors' Saturn division since the demise of the slow-selling 2000-2004 L-Series. This V6 sedan shared a wheelbase and front-wheel-drive architecture with the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx hatchback and Pontiac G6 models, but differed in styling and price. Aura came in XE and uplevel XR models. The XE had a 224-horsepower V6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. Saturn's XR got a 252-hp V6 with a six-speed automatic, with steering-wheel paddles for manual shifting. Both models included antilock braking and traction control. An antiskid system was standard on XR, but unavailable for the XE sedan. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags were standard. So were automatic climate control and OnStar assistance. Options included leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, a sunroof, and a "panoramic" sunroof with a tilt-up front section and three rear-sliding panels. With the Aura, Saturn competed against major midsize sedans, including the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. During the 2007 model year, Saturn introduced a Green Line sedan with a hybrid (gasoline/electric) powertrain, consisting of a four-cylinder engine and battery-powered electric motor.