With the 3.6-liter V6, acceleration is strong and smooth at any speed - with six gears to choose from, the power is always on tap. Thankfully, the Aura uses hydraulic power steering that provides more feedback and a more linear feel than the fussy electric power-assist units used in its GM cousins. Minimal body roll and a smooth, hushed highway ride make the Aura a great long-distance companion. Given the 2007 Saturn Aura's European roots - the car's chassis is also used for the Saab 9-3 - you'd expect capable and confident handling, and that's what it provides. With strengths including a balanced approach to ride and handling, upscale styling, a classy cabin and generous safety features, this is a Saturn that's finally competitive against the leaders in the midsize family sedan segment. Overall, the 2007 Saturn Aura looks to be one of the more interesting midsize sedans available for 2007.

The Green line hybrid version makes the Aura one of the few cars in this segment available with that gas-sipping technology, though in real-world testing we've found its increases in fuel economy to be middling. The spirited 3.6-liter V6 in the XR is the same mill used in the Cadillac CTS and comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that's not available in the Caddy. Two of the three powertrains offered in the Aura merit special mention. Saturn sees the Aura as a sport sedan, so even base models get 17-inch wheels as standard, while the sportier XR model wears 18s. Further differentiating the Aura from its other GM relatives is the Aura Green Line, GM's first hybrid passenger car ever. The car's chiseled physique draws inspiration from some Opel products (a European-only GM division), while the cabin has an upscale ambiance never before seen in a Saturn. The Aura is front-wheel drive and features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link independent rear suspension design.įor the outside, Saturn chose to give the Aura a European look. In the Aura's case, it uses a stretched version of the 'Epsilon' platform that's also employed for the Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. For the 2007 model year, it's releasing its new Aura, and this one finally looks to be a car that you'll want to take a look at.Īs is the case with most General Motors products, the 2007 Saturn Aura's mechanical underpinnings are similar to those used in other models. (And based on sales figures, nor would it seem to have been a favorite of the general public.) But Saturn's fortunes in the midsize sedan market are changing. Due to its anonymous styling, middle-of-the-road performance and cut-rate cabin, Saturn's L-Series, the company's previous midsize family car entry, was never a favorite of ours.

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