- Structurally stiff new platform

- Smooth Ecotec engine

- Decent trunk space

- Dent-resistant plastic body panels

- Enough rear seat room

- Apawling quality

- Not the best Interior materials

- Rear suspension not independent

- Rear drum brakes

- Automatic transmission sucks the life out of engine.

The trend of development and progress in automobile industry, follows two distinct pathways. One option is for a company to unveil revolutionary brands time and again and though this may sound the ideal way to achieve success, it is a different ball game, putting it into action. The other option, is to work on an existing base, which means constant refinements and changes to a particular brand. This option, typifies most of the annual releases, and Saturn could take a leaf from  here, and seek to improve their latest release, the Saturn Ion Sedan 3. Though the  Smooth Ecotec engine, may provide for a comfortable push on the accelerator, there are major drawbacks which may well reduce sales and popularity. There has been a change and clearly it does look like a concerted effort, but there is room for improvement.  This release comes with a   five passenger ION sedan and four-passenger ION quad, and It does offer a fair share of options to the driver and passenger(S). However, the risk factor cannot be underplayed, and going forward with this transaction, may be fruitful if all goes well, but could also turn bitterly sour, should the opposite happen. The vehicle also provides certain novelty items, such as the  electronic power steering, but there seems to have been a lack of discipline while managing the formation of this vehicle and its frail posture is stimulus enough to ring the alarm bells.  Credit, must be given for some of the considerations made to cargo and comfort, but it wouldn’t take an expertly trained driver to notice, that there is something which isn’t quite right. It isn’t that the vehicle is an absolute disgust- it has some splendid attributes- but the compromise on safety is something which none should put up with.

Primarily, upon observing the brand, you will get  stimulation of a weak and timid presence- the catch is missing.  Indeed, age brings growth and this brand does have a transformed size compared to past brands-  approximately 150 mm (6 in.) longer and 50 mm (2 in.) taller with a 50 mm (2 in.) wider track and a 20 mm (0.8 in.) longer wheelbase.  The rest is almost typical and thrown in is also the   16 inch tires and alloy wheels. But there is an air of passivity and the command is lacking. In short though there is an increase in size, critics cannot  over look the awful build quality.  The interiors however, paints a different story, and it is perhaps the main asset of the vehicle. The increased dimensions have yielded more legroom, head room and trunk space. Cargo and passenger, have been taken care of and couple this with the option of leather seats and you got a classic touch. Yet, on proportion the use of the dimensions haven’t been fairly if not correctly allotted. The Ion's roomy trunk (14.7 cu. ft.) is about 18% bigger than the trunk of the SL sedan, while interior volume has increased by only 2%.
The dynamics of the seatings are decent but could use some re-thinking- The rear bench seat offers generous headroom and kneeroom, but there's not much footroom under the front seats,  Two adults can sit comfortably at the rear but it would take a generous heart to seat a third. Also, pertaining to folding, is that the Ion's 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks can only be released from inside the trunk. The seats are well touched with fabric, but can be a touch less comfortable to some. Critics have been quick to also spot the artificiality of certain interior fittings, suggesting them to be cheap and less real.

 The power mirror and windows are perhaps expected trends now,  but you could be cajoled by the superb audio system.  A  premium AM/FM/cassette/ CD player with auto tone control, auto reverse music search, and seek and scan functions, to keep you entertained and provide a home like or party like aura. The vehicle however, does appear to have been given creation, for a specific audience- young youths, interested in the zippy interior aspects, the  roof rails  are color-coordinated with the interior trim kits - these consist of trim for the centre-mounted instrument panel, shifter and heater control panel. Saturn also plans to offer a full range of retailer-installed accessories such as floor mats, cargo trays, and even coloured key fobs.

If you look at it, there is a decent amount of luxury to avail of, but there are equal levels of the opposite to put one off. It isn’t the peak, but it has a quality in its own right. Perhaps, you could say that there are advantages which are unfortunately leveled with equally valid disadvantages. However one major, aspect worthy of note, is the good trunk space, which is quite astonishing considering the size of the vehicle. In fact, this space if matched by a pleasing road performance may well be the reason for people to opt for this brand.

The performance on the road, can be attributed to a number of factors- each related instrument is functionally dependent on the other. One major focus is undoubtedly the power house- THE ENGINE- which under the ION's (steel) hood is an entirely new engine: an all aluminium 'Ecotec' 2.2 litre twincam 16 valve four cylinder engine. The Ecotec 2.2 litre engine has dual balance shafts for quieter, smoother running, and offers more torque for better throttle response.  The Ecotec engine provides consistent power  and enough torque to generate a bit of wheel spin when the car is floored from a standstill. It's also a fairly refined powerplant with only a slight whine from the engine compartment at higher rpms.  It drives very smoothly and tracks well at high speeds.  The Ion's suspension is all new, and to some it will be a disappointment. The previous independent rear multi-link suspension has been replaced with a semi-independent torsion beam setup. While the new rear suspension is more space-efficient, and provides a comfortable ride and decent handling over most paved surfaces, it lacks the ability for each rear wheel to act independently. Up front, the Ion retains an independent strut-type setup. A five-speed manual transmission will be standard for all ION models, and a new five-speed automatic transmission (formerly four-speed) will be available on up-level sedans and coupes. The big news however, is the availability of a new continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) which will be optional on base and mid-level IONS. The CVT provides an infinite number of gear ratios for a 'stepless' shifting experience. One advantage of the CVT is that it provides almost as good fuel economy as a manual transmission.
On the safety, aspect there are  features enough to reduce damage,  front and rear crush zones have been improved, and ION's include dual-stage driver and passenger air bags, front seatbelt pretensioners, three-point safety belts for all seating positions, and new LATCH (Lower Anchorages and Tethers for Children) child-seat attachment system. A new head-curtain air bag system is optional.