Overview & Reviews

The entry-level Ion 1 trim level has been dropped for 2006. Wheel designs have been revised, OnStar is now standard across the board, and air conditioning has moved to the options list for the Ion 2. Upgraded performance is available via an optional Enhanced Performance package, which includes antilock brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 170 horsepower.

• Limited rear legroom, center-mounted instrumentation takes some getting used to, below-average interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 91 through 100 of 154.00

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  1st Saturn-Last GM vehicle - 2006 Saturn ION
  By jack - February 12 - 7:33 pm

  Problems so far: Key often gets stuck in ignition, check engine comes on for no reason, front transmission mount broke, cap on canister type oil filter leaks, suspension is clunky and soft. Slow to get up to speed, cheap interior materials, weather stripping around windshield comes loose, power steering feels weird. Gets good gas mileage & A/C is cold. This is the American version of the Yugo, a real piece of crap! Current mileage is 63,000, I doubt if it makes it to 100,000. My other cars are all old Fords. Now I know why.

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  My first Saturn - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Lorie - February 3 - 11:06 pm

  This is my first Saturn and I love it. It handles great on the road, even in rain. It is great on gas. Looks small but has much room, even the trunk.

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  No problems - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Rob D - January 31 - 4:23 am

  First off, the engine is a joy to drive once it gets broken in (about 3000 miles). Gas mileage is excellent, and amazingly efficient if you can keep your highway driving under 2500 revs (about 60mph). Most of what has been mentioned in other reviews is accurate, except for those calling the car a lemon. I havent had any problems with the service departments. Im 6 4" and fit comportably - cant say that about Mazdas and Toyotas that Ive sat in.

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  Decent car with some issues - 2006 Saturn ION
  By pippi777 - January 29 - 6:03 pm

  I really love my Ion, but have had some issues with it. The key often got stuck in the ignition & could take a few minutes for it to be released. (Found out it was due to the gear shift not recognizing the car was in park, thereby not releasing the key. This took 5 trips to the dealership to diagnose.) It currently periodically jerks while Im driving & automatically drops down to 15 mph. With the gas floored it wont go any faster. I have to pull over & turn the car off for a couple of minutes, then it starts up fine & I have to go get the check engine light turned off later. (I dont currently know what the cause of this is yet. Im leery of driving it on the highway, though.)

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  Cmon GM - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Skaggz - December 1 - 4:00 pm

  No wonder saturn has been cut from GM, my saturn needs more work than it is worth. My ignition was unable to be turned off for the second time today as well as problems with the transmission. It was but a year and a half ago I had my ignition fixed to where it would actually turn off. My steering column had to be replaced in February because the power steering went out.

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  ION Red Line, what a car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Michael - September 28 - 12:33 am

  I purchased this car used with 7500 miles on it 3/07. When I first drove this rocket I was amazed how much power it had for a I4. The handling and the out of box thinking from Saturn is solid. I will know how this engine and car perform because it will be 250,000 mile before I hand it down or even think of selling it.

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  Not my best car purchase - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Stephen - August 23 - 1:16 am

  At the time of purchase, I needed an inexpensive, fuel-efficient car. For those requirements, it has fit the bill but I sadly cant say it has exceeded my expectations. It replaced a 1995 Saturn SL-2 with 130,000 mostly trouble-free miles, so at the time I felt confident in the purchase. Since then, Ive been plagued by a significant number of "little problems" that would have cost me upwards of $1200 to fix had they not been covered under the warranty. None of these problems were "normal wear" items. The dealer is great about fixing them, but the many problems in the first couple of years have convinced me to sell before the (extended) warranty expires. Pity, as I do like the car.

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  Horrible Car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ben - August 5 - 10:00 am

  This car was passed down to me, when I got my license at 18, with just over 14,000 miles on it. I just hit 24000 yesterday, and within those 10,000 miles Ive had too many problems to keep up with. The power steering stopped working( found out the power steering of this car was re-called). One time my key would not come out of the ignition and I had to replace the steering column. One night the dome light wouldnt turn off. When it rains the car leaks. My car alarm would go off randomly, the dealership told me the car doesnt think the drivers door is closed, so I have to manually lock my doors. This car has been nothing but trouble for me, and its my first car. Im never buying American.

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  Nice car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Dom - July 20 - 2:10 pm

  First time buyer of a Saturn, Im very impressed with the car since its a affordable in comparison to its competition.

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  What a LEMON - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ron - July 11 - 10:30 am

  I bought my 2006 Saturn Ion in July of 2006.Ever since I bought this car it`s been a problem.First week I own the car I had to get a new radio installed.The second week a spark plug had to be replaced. Six months later the car shook badly every time I stopped and still does to this day (7- 10-10) had it at the dealership countless times for the shaking.they claim nothing wrong with it. I recently had to get a waiver from the state of Pennsylvania because my check engine light won`t go out even after it was re-programmed by a authorized dealer. This car is nothing but a LEMON!