New Car Review of the 2005 Saturn Ion Compact Sedan and Quad Coupe

Description: Compact Sedan and Quad Coupe
Base MSRP Range: $11,430 - $20,885
Invoice Price Range: $10,684 - $19,477
Where built: USA

Saturn's compact-class cars, conformed as a shapely four-door sedan and four-door Quad Coupe, earn refinements inside and out with issues of 2005.

The sedan shows a new face with revamped fascia and grille marking a slinky body dressed in geometric shapes mingled with angular flanks and smooth rails arching over the cabin. Inside, form-fitting seats are new with larger bolsters for improved lateral support. The four-spoke steering wheel is larger and comes with revised steering calibrations to enhance the on-center feel for Ion's driver.

GM's 4-cylinder EcoTec engine enthuses Ion with 140-hp through a manual 5-speed transmission or optional new 4-speed automatic transaxle (Hydra-Matic 4T45-E).

Ion Quad Coupe has two extra doors set behind the front doors. Hinged at the rear, each back door swings wide and permits easier access to rear seats. In the coupe's cabin, the back of the front passenger bucket folds forward to form a flat horizontal surface, and backs of the rear seats, divided into two sections, also fold flat. Fresh body colors apply, like Dragonfly Green and Pacific Blue, and there are new audio options such as a CD deck and MP3 player or the subscription-based XM satellite radio service.