The model to have outsold Saturn Vue SUV is Saturn Aura, a mid-sized vehicle manufactured under the General Motors brand. The popularity of the concept became apparent in 2006 when it was made public at the New York Auto Show, and though it was meant as a replacement for the Saturn L-series, Saturn Aura brings a breath of fresh air to the entire Saturn collection. The outcome of this new direction is an advantage of American cars over European imports particularly since in recent years the the success belonged to the latter. Saturn Aura thus rivals with its distant relative: the European Opel Vectra.
The standard Saturn Aura has folding mirrors and side marker lights, and such specificities are tributary to European cars that served as a source of inspiration. The other aesthetic details make Saturn Aura a nice and good car with 17 or 18 inch wheels and all season tires according to the XR or XE models. The changes in decoration style are obvious in the design of the interior too, Saturn Aura provides the possibility to choose the saddle leather and back seat radio control. Even so, despite the real advantages in the standard model, Saturn Aura has been bad-mouthed for the quality of the materials used in the cabin design.
The technical features include an ABS system for all the four wheels, heated seats and both lateral and frontal airbags, with all these elements present on the standard models. Saturn Aura also spoils its users with 224 horsepower for a 3.5 liter V6 engine. The difference between Saturn Aura XR and XE becomes noticeable in the properties of the suspension system: thus Saturn Aura XE has soft suspensions while Aura XR has more rigid sportier ones. Last but not least, this concept difference is also relevant for the price of the cars in dealer shops.
Saturn Aura is also available in the hybrid eco form following the green line specificity. It uses a belt alternation system and it includes the same suspension system as the gas-only XE models. This hybrid variety provides 164 horsepower and a significant fuel consume reduction. In order to encourage the purchase of ecological cars so as to save or preserve the environment, governmental laws regulate a $1,300 tax credit drop. This means that after you purchase the Saturn Aura hybrid you'll deduct this sum from the regular amount you pay periodically.
