We're going to be saying good bye to our long term 2007 Saturn Aura XR test car soon so I was given the keys to arrange it's sale. When I climbed in I checked the fuel economy on the onboard computer and it read 16.6 mpg from a recent variety of drivers. I zeroed out the meter for my 31-mile commute home which has a lot of stop and go traffic. When I got home it was reading 22 mpg. It's lifetime average is 19.9 mpg.
The next morning I zeroed it out again for my morning commute. I set the cruise control and kept pace with traffic (no hypermiling here). A block from the office I took this picture reading 30.2 mpg.
So, if I owned this car, for this commute, I could make it to my office on about one gallon of gas at a current cost of $3.50 one way.
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
I was thinking the other day (always a dangerous proposition, I know) and wondering how all the current (or really, really recently departed) Edmunds/Inside Line long-term vehicles stack up against each other in fuel economy, at least the fuel economy we've been recording during their time with us. So I made a list. For you and for me. In case we were both wondering.
The only current vehicles missing from my list are the Audi R8 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, and that's because no one has entered any fuel data into the tracking spreadsheet for those vehicles yet. The very top and the very bottom of the list aren't going to surprise anybody (I don't think), but the middle is kinda interesting. Seeing the Rondo and the WRX so close to each other made me raise my eyebrows. Ditto the Ford GT's spot above the Veracruz. Ready to check it all out? Follow the jump with me.
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Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2004 Toyota Prius,2005 Ford GT,2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI,2006 Lexus RX 400h,2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT,2007 Ford Edge SEL,2007 Honda Civic GX,2007 Honda Fit Sport,2007 Kia Rondo,2007 Saturn Aura XR,2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab,2008 BMW 135i,2008 BMW X5 4.8i,2008 Buick Enclave CX,2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI,2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe,2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6,2008 Hyundai Veracruz SE AWD,2008 Mazda CX-9,2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2008 Scion xB,2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe,2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Nissan GT-R
Last night on my way home, I found myself behind our Saturn Aura. In the fading sunlight I was admiring the lines of the Aura's bum.
That's a nice-looking car.
But because we were both moving, my photo is a little blurry. Here's a nicer one.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
There are so many posts listing the negatives on our long-term Aura. As I waited for the attendant to finish toweling-off the scarlet Saturn at the car wash, I saw a lone water drop mournfully drip from the driver's side headlight. A tear? As I pondered my blog entry, I realized I should probably point out something I like, rather than dig for yet another item of contention.
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Here's a picture of the Aura's HVAC controls which are fairly easy use. But they could be easier if they had a temperature knob in place of those two buttons. They could be easier. That's all I'm saying.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 20,204 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Nearly all cars with automatic transmissions are engineered to have some built-in "creep." No, not the Radiohead song, the phenomenon that occurs when you take your foot off the brake pedal and the car automatically moves forward.
While driving around town this weekend, I noticed the Aura to be particularly creepy at times. Even while stopped on a hill, the car attempted to break out of my control and chug its way up without help. I'm not certain the Aura's creep is any more aggressive than any other car's, but it's annoying nonetheless.
In my opinion, when you're stopped, you should be stopped. Sure, cars with manual transmissions can roll forward or backward if they're not on a perfectly flat surface, but the concept of creating artificial creep is baffling. The only thing I ever see creep being used for is to snug up closer to the limit line or someone's back end at a stoplight. I suppose it's better than requiring drivers to rely on a delicate use of throttle, but even that wouldn't be necessary if people just paid attention and stopped at the correct distance in the first place.
I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who love the creep, but I say it's needless and encourages sloppy driving habits.
Laura Burstein, Automotive Editor @ 19,950 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Most midsize sedans I can think of have one-touch open and close features for their sunroofs. Our long-term Saturn Aura XR doesn't. First of all, it integrates the tilt and slide functions, so you have to press the switch two times -- once to tilt, twice to open. Second, there's no auto-close -- you have to hold the switch down the whole time, just like in my '95 Integra (kindly correct me if I'm wrong, Aura Nation). Hardly a dealbreaker, but certainly a throwback to an earlier age of sunroof design.
Oh, and the pop-up wind deflector looks like it's made out of the mesh shorts Al Austria likes to wear around the office. It works quite well actually, reducing ear-popping buffeting to a mere hiss, but it doesn't exactly drive up the perceived-quality index of the car. The new Lincoln MKS has one of these too. Not the best company for the Aura to be keeping.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,842 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Damn, Aura.
Your color reminds me of the finest Himalayan silks. You are swifter than the wild stallions of the Asian steppes. You also have four wheels. But why do you poke me repeatedly in the biceps when I roll down your window and try to rest my arm on you? Damn! You know I am just trying to get to know you better, and treat you the way you are meant to be treated.
Aura, you even poke me when the door is locked. Damn. Why are you so cold? Have I not pampered you with a diet of the finest backroads known to mankind, and faithfully quenched your thirst with exotic oils procured from the kingdoms of the Middle East?
Aura, listen. If you keep poking me, I will become distracted from my love for you. My arm belongs on your windowsill. Let down your little plastic lever and surrender yourself to me. Damn!
Josh Sadlier Smoove B. True, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,603 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
That picture has nothing to do with the Aura's fuel economy (at least I don't think it does, but if you have a theory linking the two, I'm listening). It's a shot of some fuzzy black tape on the front passenger seat belt buckle where said buckle hits the center console. Doesn't look so great, but it seems to keep the buckle from scratching the center console. And to be fair, the only time you'll see the tape is if you push the buckle down like I am in the photo, which probably wouldn't happen very often. Strangely, the driver's seat belt buckle doesn't sport the fuzzy tape, and it shows. Lots of unsightly scratches on the buckle and the side of the console, right where they hit each other.
But let's talk about fuel economy, since it's been a while:
Lifefime average: 19.9 mpg
Best tank: 31.1 mpg
Worst tanks: in the mid-15 mpg range
Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,552 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Having had the pleasure of our long-term Aura XR's company over the weekend, I'll see Jay's post and raise him another. The last time I posted about our venerable Saturn's 3.6-liter V6 (forgive the wonky formatting over there), I argued that it was overkill. Why? Because the Aura simply can't tame the 252 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque that are routed to its front wheels. There's an extraordinary amount of wheelspin off the line when you put your foot in it, traction control notwithstanding, and flooring it at speed results in squirrelly torque-steer.
I stand by those comments -- but, having randomly driven just about every V6-powered family sedan in existence over the past couple weeks, I now have something nice to say as well: I really like the low-rpm and midrange pull of our Aura's V6. It positively owns the Accord's sluggish V6, for example, which doesn't even start to wake up till you've crested 4,000 rpm. In fact, the only V6 in this segment that's hands-down better, in my opinion, is Toyota's creamy-smooth and amazingly fuel-efficient 3.5-liter unit. I just wish the Aura could put its impressive power to the ground in a more refined way.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,425 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Those two vertical seams in the seatback of our longterm 2007 Saturn Aura do a remarkable impression of a bunched-up shirt when you're driving.
Fidget, tug, fidget.
It's a minor irk, but I can think of no other car in our fleet that has seats with such prominent and unyielding seams right along your spine.
Aside from that, the seats are quite comfy.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 19,425 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
For those of you sick of reading about the Audi R8, here's a post about another car, the Saturn Aura.
When I first drove the Audi R8 home (which I haven't blogged about yet), I pulled into my driveway and ran into the house because I had forgotten my garage door opener. It took me about 30 seconds. When I got back outside, my neighbor was all over the R8, asking questions, wanting me to start it so he could hear it, asking how much it cost, blah, blah, blah.
Last night, I was standing in my driveway talking to the same neighbor and he asked me if I got demoted at work. The poor little Saturn Aura proudly sat in my driveway, unloved by my neighbors.
So I told him about the Aura's steering problems and how much it has improved since we've had it repaired. It no longer feels like it steers with giant rubber bands, I said. It just seems like a normal economy car. I felt like I was bragging about a child who had finally gotten an A in math. Well, maybe a B.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
On the eve of Independence Day, I thought I'd peruse our garage for the most American metal. Amongst the many long-termers presently in the long-term fleet, we have quite the selection of cars built by domestic makers. Some are excellent representives of this great land, others ... not so much. And that's not counting the pretty cool American cars that reside in our editors' own garages: Trans Ams, Challengers, Corvettes and Schmidt's big ol' F-150.
Of course, what constitutes an American car these days is up for debate given the Focus is hecho en Mexico and our Hyundai Veracruz is hecho en Alabama. But I'll leave those determinations up to you. And the nominees for our Most American Car are...
Buick Enclave
Cadillac CTS
Chevy Silverado
Dodge Caravan (oh dear god, I hope not)
Ford Edge
Ford Focus
Ford GT
Pontiac G8 GT
Saturn Aura
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
Categories: 2005 Ford GT,2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT,2007 Ford Edge SEL,2007 Saturn Aura XR,2008 Buick Enclave CX,2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI,2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT,2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe,2008 Pontiac G8 GT
As the above photo illustrates, the driver seat of our long-term 2007 Saturn Aura XR is a fairly nice place to be. We have the optional $800 premium package, which provides leather seats, leather on the shift knob and other pleasantness. I like the clear, easily read gauges and the relatively uncluttered center stack.
Then the eye drifts left...
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Okay. The comparison in the title may seem a little far-fetched. Maybe it is. But here's what I mean, I saw the movie 'The Incredible Hulk' this weekend and it didn't seem to try very hard to be memorable or interesting, just serviceable. And I had a similar reaction to the Aura. It gets you around town, has decent space, looks okay, but it never gives something extra. It's not fun to drive or interesting to be in, in most any way. Is that bad? Not really if you view cars as a tool to get from A to B. But maybe so if you like a little picante salsa on your automotive burrito.
A compliment that I have for the car is that, unlike some cars in its segment, the Aura doesn't feel obliged to have a ton of buttons on the center stack, which makes it as much an eyesore as anything. Instead, this car keeps it simple and functional, which is not unimportant.
Glenn McClanan, Video Producer, MFA (Master of Failed Analogies) @ 18,607 miles
Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
The Malibu LTZ's interior looks much better than the Aura XR. I'll take two tone over faux wood trim anyday. Even the 4-cyl Malibu 2LT's interior looks nicer than the Aura's. I'd rather have the suede seats from the Malibu 2LT than the extra cost leather that you can get w/ the Aura XR...
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
There's a lot to like about the Saturn Aura - I think it's a decent looking sedan for one. Also, there are a few details that make it feel like more than just another sedan.
The side marker lights and detailed logo up front are just two of the things I'd look at if I were an Aura owner trying to make myself feel better about my choice. But those little touches stand in stark contrast to the hit and miss interior...
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
You may have noticed a lack of blogs on the Long Term Saturn Aura lately. No the Aura has not been in a debilitating accident nor is its year up -- though it is getting close. For the past few weeks our Aura has been in the care of Saturn of Santa Monica. The problem? The same steering clunk that was initially reported to the blogosphere by Erin, saying:
"When making large steering inputs at low speeds (in the parking lot),there's both an audible and tactile clunking and shuddering from the steering column. This happens about 2/3 of the time, and it's not the result of wrenching the wheel to full lock -- it occurs even if you're delicate in your inputs."
A few days later, in my last Aura blog I reported that the intermediate steering shaft had been replaced but had not subdued the infernal clunk.
Well now it's fixed and back in regular service. The full story after the jump. ( Warning: long story ahead! )
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
This weekend was spent driving through the Central Valley from Los Angeles to Sacramento, where the daytime ambient temp easily cleared the century mark, at one point reaching a blazing 111 degrees.
Our long-term 2007 Saturn Aura, which is nearing the end of its year-long service, provided a welcome relief from the hot weather with a constant rush of cold air coming from the vents. For three days and just a click over 1,000 miles, the Aura's air conditioner kept our cabin comfortably cool, even with its black leather seats.
With the A/C blowing, the Aura achieved 25.5 miles per gallon...
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Life ain't easy in the concrete jungle -- just ask our long-term Saturn Aura. As I threw my bag in the back after a softball game last night, I noticed some paint-less pockmarks on the driver-side rear bumper. Appparently some nefarious jungle-dweller (a renegade shopping cart, perhaps?) had sunk its teeth into our Aura's hindquarters at some point. And that's not all; I gave the poor Saturn a once-over in the daylight this morning and spotted another unhealed wound on the front fascia...
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Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
