2009 SATURN AURA XR 4cyl Test Drive

  

  

2009 SATURN AURA XR I-4 ‘NO COMPROMISES’

Wait, you don’t have to compromise and purchase a sub-compact car to achieve more than 30mpg. You don’t have to squeeze into your new ride to squeeze out the most mpg.

The new, 2009 Saturn Aura XR mid-size sport sedan gives excellent mpg and more.
With the 2.4 liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, you can expect to get EPA mileage rated specs of 22mpg/city, and 33mpg/highway, the best of any mid-size sedan.

 

Depending on how you drive your Aura, and the current traffic conditions, you can get up to 39mpg/highway and up to 26mpg/city. These numbers can really stretch your dollars.

Generating a healthy 169hp and 160lb.ft. of torque, the 2.4 liter Ecotech engine features cast aluminum engine block and heads, roller finger follower rocker arms, chain-driven DOHC camshafts, twin balance shafts and a very rigid structure.

 

To further enhance fuel savings and provide a more engaging driving experience, the XR model is equipped with a six-speed transmission and TapShift, a feature that allows you to manually change gears with steering-wheel mounted paddles.

The Aura is the flagship vehicle in Saturn’s recently revamped car lineup, blending the brand’s European-inspired design language and high levels of refinement with its trademark customer-centric purchase and ownership experience.

 

The Aura sports bold styling elements including distinctive headlamps covered in clear housing that wrap upward, and around the corners of the vehicle that adds a sense of motion to the vehicle. A chrome grille bar proudly carries the Saturn badge.

 

From the side is a long and sleek silhouette with sweptback windshield pillars, flared fenders, an elegant chrome strip surrounds a low greenhouse that is longer in the rear giving backseat passengers more legroom, and a short deck-lid.

Aerodynamic sideview mirrors, chrome pull-out door handles, and lower rocker panels help the Aura to cheat the wind, improving the handling and quietness inside.

 

At the rear are LED taillamps that enhance Aura’s technical ethic and provides extra visibility. A single, 2in. round, chrome tipped exhaust outlet is found below the rear bumper.

The four-cylinder Aura XR model rides on 17X7in. cast aluminum wheels wrapped with low rolling resistance, P225/50R17in. performance tires.

The Aura XR’s stiff steel unitized body and frame are underpinned with a sport-tuned, fully independent suspension. Up front are MacPherson struts with aluminum L-shaped control arms and a direct-acting stabilizer bar. The rear features a four-link setup with monotube gas-charged shocks, dual-rate mini-block coil springs and a direct-acting stabilizer bar. The ride is very precise and controlled. The power assisted hydraulic rack & pinion steering system gives excellent feedback from the road and quickly steers the car where you want it to go. The XR remains flat in steep curves, solid on the freeway at high-speeds, and smoothes out the bumps when traveling over poorly paved roads.

When the sport-spirit takes control, using the TapShift feature allows you to hold the gears to redline, and you can quickly downshift when entering curves at high speed.

Not too fast though because the Aura XR, and all Auras’ for that matter, are front-wheel-drive and you can expect some understeer when entering a steep curve at higher-than-recommended speeds. StabiliTrak electronic stabilization program now comes standard along with traction control. In combination they can help you maintain control in similar situations, or when driving on slick roads.

Slowing the new Aura XR down from speed are power-assisted, four-wheel disc brakes.
Up front are 11.6in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers, and 10.6in. solid discs clamped with single-piston calipers in the rear.

The four-cylinder XR has great contemporary styling and superb engineering with input from Opel, GM’s German subsidiary, so you know that you’ll enjoy the ride, whether on a short or long trip. The car easily maneuvered around slow city traffic, and cruised seamlessly at more than 65mph.

 

The interior takes its cue from the outside with unique and refined styling in a roomy, comfortable and safe cabin that sits four-adults in comfort. A major attribute of the Aura’s interior is its premium materials with soft-touch face and low-gloss appearance with tight tolerances throughout exhibiting excellent fit and finish.

 

For 2009, both the XR four-cylinder and V6 models get standard leather-appointed and heated front bucket seats. The standard leather-wrapped steering wheel is tilt/telescoping with redundant audio controls and cruise-control buttons. Bluetooth hands-free phone technology is also standard this year. The T-shaped dashboard features aluminum and chrome trim, and the console features storage space, dual-cup-holders and two-tiered storage bin with 12-volt power plug. The instrument cluster is easy to see and uses LED-lit analog gauges, as well as LEDs projecting an amber glow from the overhead lamp and front door release pockets to give the vehicle a warm, upscale character. Self-dimming theater lighting enhances the premium feel and provides added convenience at night.

 

A six-speaker AM-FM-CD stereo system is standard and includes an auxiliary input jack for portable audio players. Saturn’s advanced audio system is optional on XR and it includes an AM-FM-CD/MP3 radio with eight-speakers, 240-watt amp and rear-seat audio controls with two-wireless headphone. XM Satellite Radio and ONSTAR are come standard for one-year.

 

Standard equipment on the XR model, not mentioned above, includes AC/Heater, rear window defroster, power windows/door locks, 8-way driver power seat adjustments, floor mats front/rear, Driver Information System, rear dual cup-holders and 60/40-split back seating that enlarges your cargo-carrying capacity.

 

Options include power sunroof, Bose Surround-Sound audio system with Saturn’s Navigation system, heated/self-dimming driver-side outside mirror, remote trunk release, remote vehicle start, and a self-dimming rearview mirror with compass heading.

Standard safety features include dual-front airbags, head curtain airbags-front/rear, front side-impact airbags, daytime running lamps, automatic headlamps, LATCH system for child seats, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitor, theft deterrent system, steel beams in each door, and front/rear crush zones.

 

With the segment-best non-hybrid fuel economy, roomy seating for up to five, contemporary styling, excellent ride and handling, it is no wonder that I really enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the new inline-four cylinder Saturn Aura XR.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 190.9 in. Width: 70.3 in.
Height: 57.6 in. Wheel Base: 112.3 in.
Curb Weight: 3438 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 39.4 in. Front Hip Room: 53 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.9 in. Rear Head Room: 37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 54 in. Rear Hip Room: 52.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.2 in. Rear Leg Room: 37.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 14.9 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2.4 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 169 hp
Max Horsepower: 6400 rpm Torque: 160 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4500 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs.
Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 40.4 ft.
0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.3 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 22 mpg / 33 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 358.6 mi. / 537.9 mi.