Aura review: Better than Accord, Camry, Mazda6

[Northstar]

A great review:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/dr...e1-957453b083d4

If the powertrain is excellent, then the Aura's chassis is nothing short of exemplary, especially in XR trim. The major difference between the two is one-inch larger tires (18s instead of 17s, though the tires are the same width at 225/50) and the XR gets monotube shocks instead of the XE's lesser twin-tube dampers.

The XR is the best-handling mid-sized front-wheel-drive sedan I've tested, with large stabilizer bars minimizing roll in corners, and there's excellent feedback at speed.

Aura is definitely the class of this class, which includes the Camry, Accord and Mazda6.

If the XR handles that well, the Redline will be on rails (for a FWD midsizer, that is).

[daves87rs]

Swweeett!

[Cadillacfan]

You know as soon as the American car mags review it, the reviews aren't going to be as glowing(with the exception of Autoweek). I think the reviews from the Canadian auto press are as good as we're going to get it guys. I can already assume they'll(American journalist) cry over the 4 speed.. even though Aura offers a 6. They'll cry over the lack of a 4 cylinder engine and the fact that the Hybrid will be a year late. What else? Hmm... Oh.. they probably won't like the interior all that much because it has too many pieces from the GM parts bin. Then, they'll start making up new issues (i'm looking at you Edmunds) that never seemed to be a problem before on other cars.

Finally, I guarantee that at least one article will mention that GM dumbed down the vehicle from concept to production even though we have yet to see the rumored redline version which may look more like it. I can keep going.

Sure, I may be overreacting but I'm just preparing myself for the worst. Hell, I may be entirely wrong. They may love this car but most will still love the Accord and Camry more. Now, if I'm going to be specific; the three main offenders I'm thinking of are Edmunds, Motortrend, and Car and driver. They're usually the worst.

[pow]

You know as soon as the American car mags review it, the reviews aren't going to be as glowing(with the exception of Autoweek).  I think the reviews from the Canadian auto press are as good as we're going to get it guys.  I can already assume they'll(American journalist) cry over the 4 speed.. even though Aura offers a 6.  They'll cry over the lack of a 4 cylinder engine and the fact that the Hybrid will be a year late.  What else?  Hmm...  Oh.. they probably won't like the interior all that much because it has too many pieces from the GM parts bin.  Then, they'll start making up new issues (i'm looking at you Edmunds) that never seemed to be a problem before on other cars.

Finally, I guarantee that at least one article will mention that GM dumbed down the vehicle from concept to production even though we have yet to see the rumored redline version which may look more like it.  I can keep going.

Sure, I may be overreacting but I'm just preparing myself for the worst.  Hell, I may be entirely wrong.  They may love this car but most will still love the Accord and Camry more.  Now, if I'm going to be specific; the three main offenders I'm thinking of are Edmunds, Motortrend, and Car and driver.  They're usually the worst.

179613[/snapback]

'Cause it's true.

[Northstar]

'Cause it's true.

179623[/snapback]

And you know this how?

[Flybrian]

'Cause it's true.

179623[/snapback]

In reference to

Edmunds, Motortrend, and Car and driver. They're usually the worst.

Is wholly accurate.

[FAPTurbo]

CR will rip it apart.

[CARBIZ]

I read this National Post piece on Friday and it was quite favorable. Even the Toronto Star liked it yesterday, although they did nitpick about all those things you just said.

I'd say kudos to GM. Looks like they have a winner. Guess I'll have to dust off my resume and apply at a Saturn store because with the Sky, Aura, Outlook and all the Opel product Saturn is getting next year, Chevy will be f'ked in the Toronto market.

[Cadillacfan]

The difference between them nitpicking the things I posted is that while the Canadian papers don't hold it over the whole car, the American mags in question will give the car two out of 6 stars because the interior materials didn't feel as soft as a baby's ass.

Edited August 13, 2006 by Cadillacfan

[regfootball]

I expect C/D will give it a fair review. they have come back to being objective in the last 4-6 months. And, if you read the reviews on the Lucerne, Malibu Maxx SS, and G6's recently, you'll see they've been fair to very positive.

I'll expect James Healy of the USA Today to say its 'unexpectedly delightful' or something like that. He will rate it well.

I think Road and Track will like it.

I fully expect Motor Trend to nitpick the crap out of it. Their noses are so far up the imports butts now with Angus atop the crew. They cannot retreat, its written in stone that they will like how it drives but will cricify it for little tiny details. Motor Trend writes like they are only writing for the California crowd.

The Leinarts won't be able to admit its a good car.

Ann Job will probably say some kind things.

Canadian Driver will have a nicely positive and informative review of it....but for what car DON'T THEY?

Autoweek will think its good.

Edmunds will make sure to point out how perfect the Accord and Camry are in spite of whatever good they say about the Aura, and will make at least 5-7 backhanded potshots at GM in their review regardless. In fact, I am sure the title of the article will even have some sort of ill natured attack on GM.

Dan Neil of the LA paper may be forced to write something good on it.

Auto Extremist may write a short piece on it saying how nice of an example of Detroit doing things right is becoming more and more common.

isn't it sad when we are commenting on what the auto journalists may say? I mean, its almost like you can write a predictions page and lay wagers on it, almost down to the sentence.

Jermey Clarkson will rip it I am sure.

The Truth About Cars....oh sorry, they aren't a real publication.

I think GM was smart and gave reviews to the Canadian press first, to get an easier postive buzz, and so the US journalists would gravitate towards regurgitating reviews they've already read.

Edited August 14, 2006 by regfootball

[jrockb4]

I love this line from the National Post: Despite all the positives, there is a "but" -- Saturn Canada has priced the XR at $30,985. That's quite a jump from the US$24,595 price, considering there's less than a 12% difference between our currencies. Though that's not outlandishly expensive, it's a shame since the Aura is definitely the class of this class, which includes the Camry, Accord and Mazda6.

It is how funny we have had little to say about this subject compared to the Camaro. lol. But in my opinion this is a much more important vehicle for GM. I am hoping to take one for a drive here real soon and will let you know what my wife and I think. Has anyone else here driven one yet?

[Matt276]

I read this National Post piece on Friday and it was quite favorable.  Even the Toronto Star liked it yesterday, although they did nitpick about all those things you just said.

  I'd say kudos to GM.  Looks like they have a winner.  Guess I'll have to dust off my resume and apply at a Saturn store because with the Sky, Aura, Outlook and all the Opel product Saturn is getting next year, Chevy will be f'ked in the Toronto market.

179739[/snapback]

You'll be getting a brand new and awesome Malibu in second quarter+ a mild hybrid version.

[toesuf94]

You guys are probably right about the mags and U.S. reviews...I saw my first Auras yesterday and can say that I was very excited about the car. My mom, who is an SUV person of over 20 years now fell in love with the car. Like a moth to a flame she was on that car. Would have taken it home yesterday had the store been open. Midnight Blue over Morrocan Leather...wow! It was stunning!

That is when the weird thing happened. A woman in an L200 pulled in and started taking pictures of the three Aura's on the lot. She likes the car, but is UPSET because the do not offer the car with the polymer body panels any more...she actually said: "Well, I guess I will go look at a Camry over at Toyota since these do not have the polymer panels." ? I looked at her, I got mad and then went off on Toyota...do they have the plastic panels? NO! Do you like your Saturn Dealer? "Yes! - Been here 12 years now" so I asked her why she would move to Toyota when she likes her dealer and loved the look of the new car so well...she only said that her daughter in law had one and loved it. In the end, i think I convinced her to stay at Saturn...but if the plastic panels are such a big deal to Saturn owners, is GM going to have a problem???

[regfootball]

Aura Autoweek review topic

[vt_hokie]

That is when the weird thing happened.  A woman in an L200 pulled in and started taking pictures of the three Aura's on the lot.  She likes the car, but is UPSET because the do not offer the car with the polymer body panels any more...she actually said: "Well, I guess I will go look at a Camry over at Toyota since these do not have the polymer panels."  ?  I looked at her, I got mad and then went off on Toyota...do they have the plastic panels?  NO!  Do you like your Saturn Dealer?  "Yes! - Been here 12 years now"  so I asked her why she would move to Toyota when she likes her dealer and loved the look of the new car so well...she only said that her daughter in law had one and loved it.

I guess it's a little different when a car company never offered the feature in the first place, vs one that did and then said, "F*** you" to its customers who liked the feature and took it away to save money.

[Flybrian]

Polymer panels are one of those feautres you grow to love and part of what made Saturns such 'friendly' cars. A cute little wagon, a cute little coupe, and a cute little sedan - all cheap, all made in the same cute little plant in Tenneessee, with cute little styling and cute little plastic bodies that went 'ouch!' instead of 'DENT!'I hope Saturn doesn't 'mature' beyond that customer base.

[haypops]

I hope Saturn doesn't 'mature' beyond that customer base.

180199[/snapback]

original here

<<My '95 SW1 just hit the 400,000 mile mark. Original are all front end and suspension parts with the exception of the right front axle bearing, clutch, rear brakes and drums, air conditioning components, EGR valve, timing chain, starter, and alternator. With the exception of the famous rust problem in the right rear door sill, and some parts of the engine cradle that are starting to look a little tired, body and paint are primo.

This car represents everything Saturn has espoused - relability, ease of maintenance, and enjoyable driving. It's gotten me through some horrific weather situations, and like and old friend has been always been there for me. The great people on this forum have been particularly fortunate in having Charlie maintain the high standards we associate with Saturn, and in having the likes of Wolfman, Sattech, Sscarman, and others, share tremendous depths of product knowledge. As an ex wrench, I can tell you they know their stuff - and then some.

Again, here's hoping everyone on this forum enjoys his or her Saturn, or whatever your ride may be, half as much as I've loved mine. Life's too short not to.>>

[carman21]

Does anybody know if the Aura will get a 2.4L Ecotec?

[regfootball]

Polymer panels are one of those feautres you grow to love and part of what made Saturns such 'friendly' cars. A cute little wagon, a cute little coupe, and a cute little sedan - all cheap, all made in the same cute little plant in Tenneessee, with cute little styling and cute little plastic bodies that went 'ouch!' instead of 'DENT!'

I hope Saturn doesn't 'mature' beyond that customer base.

180199[/snapback]

I went to the VW dealer a couple weekends ago on a Saturday. i could not find a place to park anywhere within 200 feet of the door. All full of young hip and trendys blowing 30 g on jettas.

The Honda and Toyota lots are always crawling with credit worthy people. Even mazda dealers get loaded with younguns, spending cash freely on their first new car.

Its no secret who's business Saturn wants and needs to get a piece of. They have no place being what they were anymore.

Edited August 14, 2006 by regfootball

[Northstar]

Yep, the Aura will get the 2.4L, but I'm not sure if it will in a non-GL version.