It’s a challenge today to make a unique, inexpensive sub-compact that will appeal to many ages and compete with the foreign models in quality and price. GM has not had a new sub-compact out in quite awhile, the Cavalier/Sunfire duo being 8 years old at this point without a major restyle and the Malibu not doing so well with reliability issues and strong competition. Last I heard, over 50% of GMs profits rely on the sales from trucks and SUVs, not cars. The reason for this is the SUV boom when the Detroit three realized they could make more money from trucks and SUVs thanks to the famous loopholes, including the emissions loophole. And the chicken tax adding a 25% tax to any imported truck or SUV over a certain weight…eliminating competition in full size SUVs and trucks from the foreign makers.
It made sense for GM to sell more Suburbans to families than Malibus because there were more profits on the Suburbans and nothing like it from foreign competitors for quite awhile. But, that also meant less R&D to design and produce more efficient cars to compete with foreign models, which is evident in GMs lagging car selection. With rising gas prices, Bush killing the chicken tax, Toyota and Nissan now making SUVs and trucks on US soil and surrounding issues with full-size SUVs and trucks, it’s time for GM to start catching up in the car market again.
Their first and long awaited step to do this is the Saturn Ion, a new sub-compact for the Saturn division of GM. I recently tested the 4-door 5-speed Ion 1 and came away impressed, but I was not sure what to expect after reading so many mixed reviews of the Ion. One thing I was certain about the Ion is that it’s a good deal for the money.
Performance, Power and Handling
The Ion has a 140hp 4-cylinder engine, which is standard on both the sedan and coupe. Acceleration is a little low at 0 to 60 in 9.5 seconds for the manual transmission and 10 seconds for the automatic, but still not bad for something with a curb weight of 2,692 to 2,751 lbs. I was surprised at how well this model handled and griped the road, there was minimal body roll on tight turns. I was also very impressed with the visibility on the Ion, the upright position and large windows contribute to this. The power steering was very easy, the Ion was very responsive and I always felt I was in control, even at higher speeds.
The ride was a little clunky on road bumps, but, in my opinion, not bad compared to other cars in its class. Also expected for a car in its class is some road, wind and engine noise, but I did not find it to be a problem. The standard P185/70R14 seemed to grip the road well and fit the car.
The 5 speed manual transmission, which is standard, has EPA ratings of 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway, only slightly better than the automatic at 24/32. Not too impressive compared to a Civic or ECHO, but not bad for 140HP. With a 13.5 gallon fuel tank, the Ion will get you 324 to 445 miles on a tank of gas.
Interior Looks and Features
One of the big controversial issues about the design of the Ion is the center-mounted gauge cluster, a lot like the Toyota ECHO. But, this is a design we’re starting to see in many new cars, including the Prius and the Mini and seems to have been well excepted in other countries. It just seems to be taking longer here in the US. Personally, I had no problems adjusting to it and think taller drivers will appreciate it more because you’re not required to look through the steering wheel to see the gauges. Also, the gauges seem to be better lit in daylight conditions because they’re not masked by the shadow of the steering wheel. So I like this design and think we’ll slowly be seeing more of it in the future. Keep in mind that it may take a little adjusting to for some drivers.
Overall I found the seats comfortable, but may be a little tiring on large trips. The Ion does not have arm rests which may bother some drivers, but I’m used to seeing this in a car in its class. At 6 ft. tall, I had plenty on room in the drivers seat and had no problems with the driving position, as well as the front passengers and back seats. The Ion seems like it could comfortably seat 5 people.
I like the look of the steering wheel with a circular center and angular dash, giving the interior a futuristic, but retro look. I did not have a problem with the location of the controls, the power controls are located on the armrest of the door, where most would expect them to be. The interior materials seemed a little cheap in some areas, but that’s something I’ve seen on most cars in this price range. The Ion can pull this off with the unique interior.
Standard interior features include 60/40 split folding rear seats, trunk light, dual power outlets, visor mirrors and an AM/FM radio with 4 speakers and clock which can be upgraded to a CD and CD and Cassette player under just the Ion 1 package.
Exterior Looks and Features
The first thing I noticed about the Ion on a walk-around is the location of the gas cap…on the passengers side instead of the drivers side like in previous models. All the cars I’ve owned have always had the gas cap on the drivers side, it would take me awhile to get used to it located on the passengers side. I’d probably pull into gas stations on the wrong side for the first couple of weeks. Not sure why GM changed this when Saturn and other GM drivers are probably used to it being located on the driver’s side. Personally, I prefer the drivers side because it just makes sense, it’s closer to you when you get out to fill up and easier to remember. But, some might be used to and prefer to passengers side.
Like past Saturns, the Ion has dent resistant side panels. Having two high-mile 98 SC2s in the family, I have to say I’m impressed with how well these panels hold up. My fiancé’s 98 SC2 has about 90,000 miles on it and has never been garaged kept, and like most guys, he does not wash and wax it regularly (if ever), but the door panels still look as good as the day he bought it in 1997. Sitting out in the abusive Florida sun for many years, the paint on the roof and hood still looks good, no fading spots or clouding. And I’ve noticed this on many of the older Saturns in my area, the exterior still looks good. I’ve never seen a Saturn with clouding/fading paint, very rare in Florida. I regularly see older Hondas and Toyotas with fading paint spots. Saturns claim about their red paint never fading also seems to be true.
The exterior looks of the Ion are new and refreshing, but not too shockingly strange. 14-inch wheels are standard on the Ion, or the Ion 1 package. The Ion 2 package comes with 15-inch wheels, which give the Ion a more aggressive look. And the Ion 3 package gives you 16-inch alloy wheels that look very nice, but also jumps the price. The Ion is considerably bigger than the previous S series.
The Ion 1 package has few exterior color options that are black, cranberry, silver and white. All with Grey cloth interior. However, you can customize the two exterior roof panels with 4 different patterns. The Ion 2 and Ion 3 packages gives you more exterior options including black, blue, green, cranberry, gold, silver, silver blue and white. This package has the same 4 exterior pattern options for the roof panels.
Safety
Standard safety features include daytime running lamps, child safety rear doors, child seat automatic locking retractors, dual front airbags, front and rear energy absorbing crumple zones, three-point seat belts. Safety options include side airbags, ABS brakes and traction control.
Being a new model, I was not able to fid crashtest ratings on the Ion yet. Saturns in the past have done well, but it’s hard to say with this being a new model.
Parting Shots
I’m not too sure about the reliability of this model. We have two 98 Saturn SC2s in the family and have had mostly good luck with them. Based from experiences with those cars, I would say Saturns have above average reliability. But, this is a completely new design and engine, so the reliability is a tough call. Starting at $11,500, I found the Ion to be equal price-wise to a 4-door ECHO, but you get a bigger, more powerful sedan. The price can jump all the way up to just over $15,000, but I found I was could get a 4-door sedan with the power options I wanted for about $13,500. There are three main option packages, Ion 1, Ion 2 and Ion 3. They each have standard and optional features.
While the Ion does have some design quarks, it’s a very competitively priced sub-compact that offers a lot of space, unique, customizable looks, decent power and fun. I think it will please most looking for a sub-compact, or maybe even a larger sedan.
Amount Paid (US$): 11,850
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
Model and Options: Ion 1 5-speed
