2003 Saturn ION Sedan

Saturn's got a brand new model and it's not a moment too soon. The venerable Saturn S-Series bowed in 1990 and soldiered on seemingly forever. Despite generic, dated-from-the-outset styling and a noisy engine, Saturn's brilliant, down-homey ads by Hal Riney & Partners (sadly, no longer the company's agency) created a warm, fuzzy feeling about the brand that inspired owners to sing its praises and make an annual pilgrimage to the factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee. But a warm, fuzzy pilgrimage, handsome, dedicated Saturn stores, cheerful sales folk and semi-fixed, no-dicker pricing can only go so far when everyone else is updating their wares and you're not. To my mind, the second round L-Series was so generic that the cars could have all been painted white with a prominent bar code affixed to the door panels. The new VUE sport-utility has helped a bit, but this is a car company, right?

Several easy-to-change external and internal panels allow ION owners to quickly give their car a different look.

Enter the ION. Its ostensible competitors are Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Ford Focus, but all these nameplates, GM included, are nervous about the steady incursion of low-priced Hyundais and KIAs. So this is where GM draws its new line, and it's not with a warmed-over Cavalier. ION is the first domestic use of the General's new Delta small-car platform. In keeping with Saturn tradition, a stamped steel space frame-shell is adorned with dent-resistant polymer and sturdy sheetmetal panels. Stiffness is a Benz-like 27 Hertz for the sedan and 23 Hz for the coupe, facilitating decent suspension tuning and offering a very solid on-road feel with virtually no structure shake on uneven surfaces.


Saturn's flexible (in terms of architecture options) new floor pan permits two body types. There's a conventional four-door sedan and (here's where the quirky stuff starts) a so-called Quad Coupe that employs a pair of outside handle-less rear-access doors, (Saturn calls them RADS) modeled after the single rear door on the current Saturn SC Coupe. The good news is, it's easier to get in the back seat. The not-so-good news is that the car's lines are somewhat compromised. The Quad, really a sedan with a rear door handle delete, and aimed at somewhat younger buyers, isn't as sleek and coupe-like as rivals like the Toyota Celica and Mitsubishi Eclipse. ION sedan production began in September in Spring Hill; Quad Coupes go into production early in 2003.


Under the ION's hood, shared with the VUE and L-Series, is GM's capable, smooth-revving twin-cam Ecotec 2.2-liter aluminum four. It's LEV-certified and develops 140 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque, very decent for the class. There's a capable, Getrag-supplied 5-speed manual with a synchro in the reverse gear, in case you try to back up while you're still rolling forward. Its 5-speed automatic, a rare feature for this class, helps fuel economy. Back in the quirky department, Saturn's Vti, continuously variable transmission, already in the VUE, will be available in the Quad Coupe. CVT's reportedly are more fuel-efficient, use fewer parts and need less maintenance than conventional automatics. The tradeoff is an annoying groan-y sound as the variable ratios change. An "S" selection provides some engine braking. While this transmission's shifting is impressively shockless, it still dawdles before speed increases. CVT's are an acquired taste. Many buyers won't even notice.

The seats fold flat enough to accommodate a sizeable kayak inserted from the side.

One advantage to sharing architecture with other GM entries is an integrated wiring system, so every ION has standard electric power steering, eliminating a power-robbing hydraulic pump. Also included in all models are daytime running lights, automatic headlights, an oil-life monitor, and speed-sensitive wipers. A neat feature: accessory power is available after shutoff. Another cool option is an automatic dimming mirror with a built-in outside temperature gauge and compass.