So Saturn has replaced its original S-Series. This may have some Saturn fans upset. But the new ION is a winner. The ION starts at around 11K. This is a great value with a car that beats most baseline engines in its price range.

Overview
The ION comes in 3 trims ION-1, ION-2, and ION-3.It is also the first car in GM's new delta platform. The ION features the new Global GM engine (L61) called the Ecotec. The Ecotec is a 140hp engine that provides excellent durability, performance, and cost of ownership. The engine was designed to last unlike some early problems with the 91-96 Saturn’s burning oil. The ION also features options that you will not find on any other cars in its price range or class. Such as: a 5 speed automatic transmission, the onstar system, and an auto dim mirror with compass.

Exterior
The exterior of the Saturn is unique taking the traditional styling swoosh from Saturn on the sides and sticking with Saturn’s horizontal headlights. The front resembles the last generation L-Series in the front. The sedan also features the option to replace the roof rails with customized ones. It also features Saturn's traditional polymer body side panels. That prevents the normal dents and dings of the traditional sheet metal car. It also keeps Saturn’s look new longer and better.

Interior
The interior of the car is an improvement. The quality isn’t that of the former S-Series the plastics used are defiantly an improvement and some effort was made to correct some problems. Saturn is also offering a dealer dash kit to customize the center IP. This has now moved from the driver’s position to the center of the car facing the driver. (This may turn some customers away) But I thought it was very easy to get use to and quite enjoyable. The seats were comfortable. Something that I think the S-Series lacked. The steering wheel is oddly small...And I didn’t like the cruise control's labels. The back seat was spacious compared to the S-Series and offers those people that needed the extra space more legroom. The trunk is a lot bigger also. And another interesting thing is the battery is now located in the trunk of the car near the spare wheel.

Ride Quality
The ride quality was outstanding. No interior noise. The delta platform provided this car with a stiff frame that provides excellent handling and ride quality. The ION does suffer from slight torque steer. This should be expected with an engine this strong. My current Grand Am with the same engine does the same thing.

Features
The ION 1 base car is the typical base car. It comes with daytime running lamps, speed sensitive windshield wipers, 14" wheels. Other features available are air conditioning, cd and cd/tape upgrade, abs/traction control, and head curtain airbags. The ION-2 offers a little more standard, including: 15" wheels, color keyed door handles, air conditioning, power door locks w/ keyless entry. Optional features include: onstar, sunroof, spoiler, advanced audio system, travel package which includes Maps Lights, Outside Temperature Gauge, Compass, Auto-Dim Mirror. The ION 3 offers even more with the only upgrades being onstar, leather appointments, spoiler, sunroof, travel package, abs/traction control, advanced audio system, and head curtain air bags.

The Negative
The downfalls on the ION though to me were the ION 3 doesn’t have a performance option its just 140 hp and that’s it. I don’t really care for the styling of the alloy wheels. I would much rather have the hubcaps (and I don’t like hubcaps). Rear disc brakes would have been nice too. But GM seems to not be setting any trends by not offering that on most of their cars.

Amount Paid (US$): 16000
Model and Options: ION 3