New Car Review Of The 2004 Saturn Ion Quad Economy Coupe

Base MSRP Range: $10,430 - $16,685

Base Invoice Range: $9,753 - $15,571

MSRP As Tested: $16,350

Versions: Coupe, Sedan

Vehicle Category: Sub-Compact Economy Coupe and Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive.

Engine As Tested: 2.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4 cylinder, 140-horsepower at 5,800rpm and 145 lb-ft torque at 4,400 rpm.

Transmission As Tested: Standard 5-Speed, Manual, 4-speed ECTAutomatic.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Manual 26/35 , 5-speed automatic 23/32, CVT automatic 25/32

Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger airbags, power-assisted disc brakes, ">Antilock Braking System (ABS).

Competition: Honda civic, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Sentra, Dodge Neon, Chevrolet Cavalier.

Review

Over ten years had passed since Saturn had introduced a brand new economy car model. It's entry-level S-series remained monotonous for years, stagnating sales and hurting Saturn's ability to compete in this highly competitive small-car segment. So, last year Saturn tabled the S-series and welcomed the sleeker, peppier Ion to its model line-up.

Positioned to attract the young eye of college coeds and recent graduates with its fresh appearance and innovative personality, the Ion had quite the feat ahead of it: to win over a tough market that was dominated by Honda and Ford.

Line by line comparisons

Park a Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, Ford Focus ZX3 and a Honda Civic Coupe side by side and the differences come down to options and appearances. Priced within a few hundred dollars of each other, the Ion offers head side-curtain airbags, vehicle theft tracking, airbag deployment notification and hands free or voice activated telephone as optional features where as none of these goodies are even available on the Focus or Civic.

However, when it comes to the true mechanics of each vehicle it's a much tighter race. The Focus barely squeaks ahead of the Ion in horsepower with a 145 hp rating versus Ion's 140 hp, although it does barrel past the Civic who's rating is a meek 115 hp. Fuel economy is a moot point on all three as they each average an excellent rating of 33 mpg on the highway and 25-26 mpg in the city. Leg and rear headroom measure within inches of one another and safety items, such as front and passenger airbags are found on all three.

The similarities keep on coming…they all offer 4-cylinder engines with manual transmission, power windows, locks, air conditioning, cruise control and intermittent wipers. They have the same basic warranties (36,000 miles) and basically the same passenger volume (i.e., you can comfortably seat two up front, and squeeze two in the back. Try to cram in a third and it better be a short trip).

So, if your checkbook is dictating that you go for a base model, then your decision lies in design preference. Or rather, which car looks the coolest; after all, looks play a major role in car purchases - especially in the young adult demographic.

Available in three numerically named trims: Ion 1, Ion 2 and Ion 3, the Ion comes as a sedan or quad coupe. Not your typical coupe, this four-door design eases entry and exit for stowing groceries or passengers. From the outside, the Ion has the sleekness of a typical coupe; however once you open the main doors two "hidden" doors appear. They're actually hinged on the hind side with a handle that's tucked flushed into the leading edge of the door jam, and can only be opened once the main door has been opened.

However, the extra doors aren't the only unexpected perk. In keeping with their target demographics' need to haul lots of gear around town, the seats - both front passenger and rear - fold flat, allowing long skinny objects, like skies or lumber (for that Homecoming bon fire) to be laid flat from tailgate to dashboard.

The Ion's controls are simple and straightforward. It uses a natural turn-style knob for climate control and small buttons for the radio. Unlike the Focus and the Civic, the Ion's instrument gauges wonder off the beaten path and are located in a center pod above the climate controls as opposed to directly in front of the steering wheel. It's a trend that we've never been very fond of for two reasons: 1) we found that we had to divert our eyes from the road when reading the gas gauge or speedometer and 2) at night the steering wheel is uncomfortably dark as the illumination is all directed at the center dash.

Other than that, the interior is pleasing. There are plenty of cup holders and power outlets, with one even located in the rear. The Ion comes standard with several convenient features, such as auto headlights that activate when the windshield wipers are set in motion, remote keyless entry, dent-resistant plastic body-side panels, anti-theft system, auto-dimming mirrors and retained accessory power after the engine is turned off.

New for 2004

The hippest improvement for this new model year is the radio: a six-disc CD with MP3 player replaces the '03 CD/cassette. Couple the radio with six premium speakers, a 160-watt amplifier and additional sound-deadening material and you have a very decent set-up. On top of that, XM Satellite Radio is also available. It provides coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original music, news, sports and talk.

Other '04 additions include a monochromatic instrument panel tinted in ebony, "soft touch" paint on the center controls and revamped colors for the radio panel and shifter bezel.

Family Friendliness

Even though the coupe comes with four doors, if you're planning to escort kids around town (especially ones that come with car seats) then you'll be better off with the Ion sedan or the larger, Saturn L300. Standard Ion safety features include dual front airbags, daytime running lamps, automatic locking retractors for child-safety seats and an emergency inside trunk release.

In Conclusion

In a market that is dominated by two old school manufacturers, Saturn is making its mark with the Ion. Its numbers can go head to head with the top two players, and it has proven to be a dramatic improvement from its S-Series predecessor, in both sales and appearance. It's well put together, but better yet, it has enough personality about it to attract lots of attention.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 6
• Performance: 6
• Price: 8
• Handling: 6
• Ride: 6
• Comfort: 6
• Quality: 6
• *Overall: 6

More Data

Where Built: United States

Major Options:Power brakes with anti lock braking system, XM Satellite Radio.

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: Coupe 185.0, Sedan 184.5

Warranties: 3 years/36,000 limited warranty, 6 years/100,00 miles corrosion, 3 years/36,000 miles free roadside.

Weight in Pounds: Coupe 2,769, Sedan 2,692.

Maximum Payload in Pounds: Not Available.

Maximum Gross Vehicle Weigh in Pounds: 3,305

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 13.2

Destination Charge: $565