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 11 through 20 of 154.00

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  Absolutely Loved my ION! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By VroomVroom - May 9 - 10:33 am

  This is by far the best car I have owned to date. This was the first car I bought right after I turned 18. It had 25,000 miles on it so I got to keep the warranty for a little bit :-) The Ion and I went ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY! and I not once EVER had a problem with it. Just kept up basic maintenance on her. Loved the placement of the gauges. Smooth as butter and the exterior wouldnt dent a bit. I recommend this car despite the surprisingly bad reviews. Maybe I just got lucky?

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  The Redline Lives Up to Its Name - 2006 Saturn ION
  By SaturnTuners - April 26 - 11:36 pm

  I have had my car for over a year now, and put nearly 19,000 miles on it. It is by far the best car you can buy for the price. I got mine for around 20k, with a killer trade in deal on my last car. This car beats 03 Mustang GTs no problem, and it gets twice the mileage! The supercharger whine is amazing, especially with the intake. I also got the thermal R&D exhaust, and it sounds really nice; unlike a Civic hatch. If you are looking to pick up a really good deal, now is the time. You can get a very high performance grocery getter for around 15k loaded.

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  What Next? - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Neveragain - April 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 2006 and loved it at first. Then one night during a rain storm my car alarm went off for no reason. The next day I found the foam seal along the top of both doors is badly weathered and rain water runs in along the door panels and puddles on the floor. With 20,000 miles the front struts are shot and just yesterday my key became stuck in the ignition while the car is running. Likely the ignition cylinder will need to be replaced (from the looks of it this is a huge big with the ION). And who will have to pay for it all? My guess is GM will bail on that as well. So here I sit with a car that leaks every time it rains, bad suspension,and a junk ignition cylinder.

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  its all new to me - 2006 Saturn ION
  By DJ - February 21 - 8:36 pm

  well just bought it but so far so good, its a big change for me cause i fianlly got rid of my 93 roadmaster with a 350-5.7l..so to go to a 4cyl its a change. the car looks great feels great and sounds great..the center dash is nice once you get used to it. it was worth it though for myself, my wife and 2 kids...happy driving..and go try one it wont hurt..lol

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  Dissappointed, sad, and upset - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Annie - February 13 - 10:03 am

  I bought my Saturn Ion new in February of 2006. After the first year of ownership I had the transmission replaced and it was not something I did but something they say just happened. I paid for it out of my pocket. I called GM and they said they were not going to reimburse me. I still own the vehicle and cannot drive it now. As of April 6, 2009 I was returning home from work, tried to turn off the ignition and it would not turn off. I called Onstar and they GM. Neither one knew what to do. My Saturn Ion ran for three hours sitting still because they could not figure out how to shut the car off. I had to have the ignition switch, steering column, and the key replaced. GM said it was natural.

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  Crude Design - 2006 Saturn ION
  By talismanPHL - February 8 - 12:00 pm

  Dark gray exterior looks great when its clean - very sleek lines. However, the interior is awful. Its filled with cheap mismatched plastics. We never did get used to the centrally placed dashboard - why not go with a normal dashboard with larger gauges? Extremely cheap seat fabrics that stained very easily and small rear seat with very little legroom.

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  so far so good - 2006 Saturn ION
  By bowtieguy4 - February 6 - 8:03 am

  hello, i owned a 2006 cobalt prior to this car and i had 65,000 miles on it. i had some of the same problems as other saturn owners had. i do however i enjoy the saturn more than the cobalt. it seems to be a better built car and drive better, the sound system is much better it has a dome light big improvment.I hope the power steering dont go out like on the cobalt that is a expensive fix,the center dash is a very nice design.the performace is better that is a nice upgrade. this car has a r title to it only paid 6000.00 for it in very good cond,will give more updates as i drive it more.

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  Stay away from this car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Disenchanted - December 26 - 4:33 pm

  Fun to drive, fairly comfortable, and good gas mileage. But! Out of warranty repairs are extreme! You will pay for repairs that should have been recalls. Parts failing from poor design. And lots of them. From the bearings to the steering column to the ignition switch to the transmission to the ECM (doesnt like to start when its cold outside) to the bushings to leaks in your trunk to faulty wheel speed sensors. My my my it goes on and on. But other than that its a nice car. Saturn puts out many TSBs but refuses to pay for any of the repairs. Buyer beware! Besides your payment hold back about an extra $100 per month for repairs (if your lucky that is).

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  Lacks - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Terie - December 14 - 3:40 pm

  This is our 5th Saturn. Weve had mostly SC2s and a SL. This car just doesnt feel as solid. It feels cheap, like a Kia or a Neon. When I drive my bright yellow 2001 SC2, theres just more there. The doors feel tighter, the interior is better appointed.The seats arent as comfy and front visability is a problem for a shorter person like me in the ION. Those big columns on either side of the windshield are a hazard. Paint has always been an issue with our Saturns, and it still is. My car is black, so you see every little thing.The yellow car always had paint issues to I dont think Saturn is the car it once was. Dont think a 6th Saturn is in our future.

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  I love this my Saturn!!!! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By I love my Saturn - December 9 - 3:03 pm

  I highly recommend this vehicle. The price is right, it is cheap on gas, fun to drive, the interior is nice, reliable, handles well, the battery is in the trunk, it is a great car all around. I would not change a thing. I recommend this car to anyone who considers themselves a true North American. The car was built in Canada, the transmission was built in the city I live in. I like knowing that my car was built in Canada. I absolutely love this car! I only drive North American made vehicles and this is my favourite one so far!