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 1 through 10 of 154.00

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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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  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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  Started every day, outdoors, in Twin Cities winter - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Tommy Boye - February 10 - 12:23 am

  hard to get into and out of.

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  5th and last Saturn at our house - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Terie - May 31 - 8:10 am

  My beloved 1997 SC2 got wrecked, but we still had the yellow 2001 SC2.There were 2 before those. We liked Saturns. This one is cheaply made. Things are breaking! Window switches, back seat releases, etc. This dealership is nothing like the ones wed used in other states. The car isnt as well built or as easy to drive as a SL2, gas mileage is horrible. Seats arent comfortable after about 30 min of driving. I doubt that a 6th Saturn will be in our future. Customer service at corp level is gone down also. Too bad, they cared at one time about their customers, not now.

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  Great on gas not on corky issues - 2006 Saturn ION
  By saccity - February 24 - 1:53 am

  I have owned my 2006 ION for 2 years now & I have loved the gas mileage and how it handles while driving to Tahoe ( fun drive) but I have always had a knocking in my car. It sounds like someone is in the truck, just a simple 3 tap noise, and it happens usually every morning during the first 10-20 miles. But now I have a big complaint my key got locked in the ignition after driving home from work one evening, the car was still running, it wouldnt turn off. I disconnected the battery & pulled a fuse out to get it turned off. I have read online several complaints about this issue And I hope Saturn will fix it today, with no money out of my pocket.

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  Okay Car!!!!!!!! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By PD - January 16 - 5:56 am

  I purcahsed a 2006 Saturn Ion3 brand new, and for about the first year the car is an absolute blast to drive. Then when the first year is over watch out because this will start having problems, clunks and rattles and the dealer will tell you "oh! we cant fix it" or "we cant duplicate the problem." I am now looking to trade this car and get something that is more reliable and better built. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE STEER CLEAR OF THIS CAR!!!!!!! And the worst part about these cars is that when you take it in for warranty work Saturn doesnt like to pay for warranty work or for recalls that are necessary and you will end up have to pick up the bill later.. I will never buy another Saturn........

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  Saturn = Chevy = Junk - 2006 Saturn ION
  By doc4bax - March 9 - 5:35 pm

  I used to have a older Saturn and it held up well. I figured I would find one for my son to drive back and forth to school. I found one, bought it and it had a host of issues. This vehicle is notorious for front end suspension failure. First to go are the front sway bar end links and the sway bar bushings. They are poorly made and wear out prematurely. You hear that clunking noise going over bumps? If so you have this problem. Another problem is the front control arm bushings which are known for failure. Another clunking noise under your feet? You might want to take a look. Another issue, the plastic fuel tank is known to crack at the top where the plastic lines enter the fuel pump (which is in the fuel tank). That wiff of fuel you smell at the back of the vehicle? That means get your wallet out. Fortunately for me, there was a special warranty that I qualified for and GM took care of it. I just made it under the time length (expires 8 years from manufacture date). This is not a cheap fix. They had to replace the tank, fuel pump and hoses plus labor. Also, their is a problem with the shifter. The shifter looses the ability to talk to the ignition switch. When you put the car in park the key will not release from the ignition switch. This leaves the ignition stuck in the accessory position and drains your battery if left there. Fortunately this was covered under recall and it wasnt a cheap fix. Another recall is the actual ignition switch which I had done. the rear shocks wear out prematurely. This car bounced like a clone car when I first got it. This a $50 fix if you do it yourself. Lastly, the electric actuator that recirculates the air from inside or outside the vehicle goes bad. The gears shear off that turn the recirculation door. This actuator is located way up inside the dash. Dealer estimates around $600 plus to replace it as the dash has to completely come off to get to it. I was able to do this myself with minimal dash removal but it was an absolute nightmare and took all day to do. Relatively cheap part but a lot in labor costs to install.

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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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  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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  Want lemonade? Buy a Saturn - 2006 Saturn ION
  By My 1st Saturn - January 29 - 12:23 pm

  I purchased my Saturn on 10/23/06. I was told that the ION 2 was the best fuel efficient vehicle on the market. I get only 24 MPG which most of my miles are highway. It also has slow take off. I am very disappointed in this vehicle. I have been given poor customer service and I keep getting the run around from the dealership. My next step is to contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney Generals office. If you are looking to buy a new car, dont buy a Saturn ION 2 unless you plan on spending double in gas per week.