Base MSRP Range: $17,500 to $23,000
Base Invoice Range: $16,000 to $21,000
Price Quote
MSRP As Tested: $17,735
Versions: L200, LW200, L300, LW300
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Passenger Car
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
Engine As Tested: 300s - 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V-6 cylinder, 182-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 190 lb-ft torque at 3,600 rpm. 200s - 2.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, Inline-4 cylinder, with 135-horsepower at 5,200 rpm, and 142 lb.-ft. torque at 4,400 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 300 - 4-Speed Automatic. 200 -- 5-Speed Manual or optional 4-Speed Automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 33 - 21/29. 200 -- 23/31 for the manual and 24/32 for the automatic.
Standard Safety Features: Driver and front passenger, front and side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release, Daytime Running Lights, Remote Keyless Entry.
Competition: Sedans - Buick Century, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mercury Sable, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Oldsmobile Alero, Pontiac Grand Am, Saturn L-Series, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40. Wagons - Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo V40.
For years, General Motors' Saturn division has been known as a no-frills, good basic transportation division. Nothing too fancy, no-haggling at the dealer, and solid, if unspectacular cars.
For 2003, Saturn has made some changes. Although you still won't haggle at the dealership, the cars you'll see there are a step up from past Saturn efforts. The 2003 L300 marks Saturn's effort to broaden the product line with a car that comes with a bunch of standard features, and offers some high-end type options. Can Saturn appeal to the buyer that might normally pass its dealerships by? The L300 is a good start to find out.
The L300 comes in both a sedan and a wagon. It's been given some redesigned cosmetics for 2003. The redesigned front end includes wrap-around projector beam headlamps with chrome trim, a larger grille and a raised hood. The new rear end includes new taillamps, and a revised fascia. The L300 comes with 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and power exterior mirrors. In addition, the car was raised 9mm in the front and lowered 8mm in the rear from the original design. It's a more substantial look overall.
Saturn has given the L300 a standard 3.0-liter dual-overhead cam, 24-valve with 182-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 190 lb.-ft. torque at 3,600 rpm. While acceleration is good, the engine is a bit noisy and the mpg is a few miles below what I'd hoped for (21/29 according to EPA). The standard four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and the optional anti-lock brakes stopped the car quickly and smoothly.
The suspension system is an independent MacPherson strut system with a stabilizer bar up front, and an independent multi-link with shock/spring module and stabilizer bar in the rear. The ride is good, particularly at highway speeds.
Inside, driving position is excellent. The L300's instrument panel includes a tachometer and a coolant temperature gauge, and idiot lights for everything else. The seats are comfortable with good support. There's a good amount of legroom for tall drivers and rear seat passengers won't be cramped. The trunk provides 17.5 cubic feet of space and if you go with the wagon, you can increase that to 79 cu-ft.
The L300 comes with a host of standard features, including air-conditioning with filtration, power locks and windows, cruise control, theft deterrent system, and keyless entry. The LS300 comes with an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers. For about $4,000, you can add the DVD entertainment package; that includes a built-in DVD player, an AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system, and wireless headphones.
In an interesting bit of marketing, this package also includes 16" chrome clad alloy wheels, foglamps, power driver's seat, heated outside mirror, rear seat armrest, dual map lights, floor mats, and the OnStar communications system (with one-year plan). OnStar, as most know by now, is the cellphone system you can use to ask for directions, find restaurants and ATM's, get your door unlocked when you've locked your keys in the car, and more.
Are you willing to spring for a $4,000 package to get all that? Saturn certainly hopes so.
As for safety, the L300 does come with head curtain side airbags, and Saturn has strengthened the body structure by using foam injection at pillar joints.
The L300 sedan starts at $20, 645. Add the DVD system and the anti-lock brakes and you're looking at a total of $25,715. Seems like a lot for some good, basic transportation, but Saturn is hoping that you won't look at the L300 as just good, basic transportation anymore.
Editors' Ratings
Pros: Fairly well equiped with popular accessories for the price. V6 engine with good acceperation. Saturn's dent-resistant body panels.
Cons: Poor fuel economy. Noisy engine. Poor build quality especially when compared to similar products with similar prices from Honda and Toyota. Cheap plastic interior parts. Uncomfortable seats, especially in the 2nd row.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 3
- Performance: 5
- Price: 7
- Handling: 5
- Ride: 5
- Comfort: 5
- Quality: 3
- Overall: 4.7
More Data
Where Built: USA
Major Options: Antilock Braking System, automatic climate control, heated seats and mirrors, leather upholstery, power seats, power sunroof, OnStar System, roof rails (wagon),upgraded sound system
Seating: 5
Number of Rows: 2
Crash Test Ratings: Sedan only.
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: ****
- NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: *****
- NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: ***
- NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: *****
- NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: ****
- IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Overall Rated Acceptable
Length in Inches: 190.4
Warranties: 30-day/1,500-mile money back guarantee. 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 6 years/100,000 miles corrosion, 3 years/36,000 miles free Roadside Assistance.
Weight in Pounds: Sedan - 2,989. Wagon - 3,070
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 15.7
Destination Charge: $610
