
An Advanced Audio package ($725) features eight speakers, a six-disc in-dash changer, and rear-seat audio controls. A power sunroof is $800, and various designs of aluminum wheels cost $200 to $400. The XE has a number of stand-alone options and packages, many of which are available only with other packages. At a base price of $26,025, this has rear-seat audio controls, fog lamps, StabiliTrak, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and 18-inch aluminum wheels as standard. The final Aura variant is the XR, powered by a more modern 252-hp, 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission that gets 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
#2008 saturn aura xe full#
It’s one of the cheapest gasoline-electric cars on the market, although as a mild hybrid that can’t run solely on its electric motor, it doesn’t return the lofty fuel-economy numbers of some full hybrids, getting 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, which aren’t much better numbers than the four-banger Aura’s. The Green Line hybrid, which mates an electric motor/generator to a 164-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission, starts at $22,790 and includes such features as 17-inch aluminum wheels and StabiliTrak skid control. Four-cylinder fuel economy is 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway the 3.5-liter returns 18/29. The XE is also available with a pushrod 219-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic, which adds $1580 to the base price.
#2008 saturn aura xe windows#
An automatic transmission is standard, along with power windows and locks, a CD/MP3 audio system, cruise control, and 17-inch wheels and tires. The base Aura is now the four-cylinder XE, which costs $20,395. A driver-information center adds real-time fuel-economy information on the XE and XR models, and, finally, there are some new colors. The StabiliTrak stability-control system is now standard on XE V-6 models, and XM satellite radio is now fitted across the board. It is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder XE model, powered by a 2.4-liter engine that produces 169 horsepower, is new for ’08. The car handles quite nicely, and the interior quality is worlds better than its predecessor’s, but it still doesn’t quite match the best of the Japanese rivals, the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima.Ĭlick here to read our full review of the Saturn Aura.Ĭlick here to read our full review of the Saturn Aura Green Line.Ĭlick here to read our latest comparison test involving the Saturn Aura. The Aura is a fine-looking mid-size family sedan, but it hasn’t quite been the success that Saturn hoped for, probably because it is much more expensive (and rightly so) than the woeful LS. In truth, the Chevy Malibu is a more fully realized version of these underpinnings. And the four-cylinder Aura XE is less expensive but isn’t quite as sweet as the best Japanese powerplants. The Aura XE V-6 has good power (219 horsepower) but is a bit coarse at high revs. The hybrid Aura gets better gas mileage but isn’t as refined as the Toyota Camry hybrid.

The upscale XR has a terrific 3.6-liter V-6 engine making 252 horsepower, but it becomes pricey. The Aura replaced the LS sedan in the Saturn lineup and was introduced initially with two V-6 engines and a hybrid powertrain: a four-cylinder version was added for the 2008 model year.Īll models are decent but involve some trade-offs.

Like the Pontiac G6 and the Chevrolet Malibu, it is based on a General Motors global architecture that is shared with vehicles such as the European Opel Vectra and the Saab 9-3. The Saturn Aura was introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model and was named North American Car of the Year.
