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 21 through 30 of 154.00

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  No-brag gem for the practical driver - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Greenwich CT - October 10 - 3:40 am

  My cars: 80 Audi 5000, 82 Olds Ciera, 89 Bronco, 95 Explorer, 2000 Taurus SE, 2003 BMW 325xi, 2006 Saturn Ion 2. We have Mercedes and Toyota vehicles too. Most reliable: Ion. Cheapest: Ion. Best mileage: Ion. Best in all weather conditions: Ion, Taurus, 325. Best base stereo: Ion. Most practical storage features in a sedan: Ion. Cheapest interior: Ion. Least adjustable everything: Ion. Least curb appeal: Ion. Fastest depreciation: Ion. The Ion is a solid, simple, reliable, comfortable enough, safe, low cost American car if what you mostly need from a car is...a car. A friend has a Maserati. Cool. But worth nine of these? Pfff. Buy this and a Solstice and laugh all the way to the bank.

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  ION 3 Sedan 2.4L - 2006 Saturn ION
  By ChrisW - September 28 - 11:26 am

  It took 3 weeks to build my Pacific Blue ION 3-and it was worth the wait. My ION included the Enhanced Performance Package (2.4 liter engine, suspension tweaks, ABS, traction control), leather interior, 6-speaker SAS (Saturn Advanced Sound system) & sunroof. The 170hp engine pulls with power, & the suspension strikes a nice balance between a smooth ride & responsive handling. The comfy front seats slide way back-a 63" passenger remarked on how much leg room he had, & easier to get into than Civic/Mazda3. The SAS audio system sounds decent. There are a few rough edges on the dash, & some areas where bolt/screw covers could have been crafted with a better care. Overall, a fine, fun small car.

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  Love My Car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Sue Hutton - May 25 - 12:30 am

  This car has been such a joy to drive. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great car for the value.

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  Good to me - 2006 Saturn ION
  By CountBasey - November 21 - 4:26 pm

  My 2006 ION has been better than any GM car Ive owned. I formerly owned a 1997 Saturn SL2 that I drove until 130,000 miles - I only traded that in due to a leaky sunroof (that would have cost over $1.1K to fix - not doing on an 11 yr old car, sorry). But my ION has been good for the past 20K + miles without any issues. Love the plastic bodies - my 11 year old 1997 SL2 looked like new the day I traded it in. Hopefully my "last of the plastics" ION will hold up equally well.

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  Power Steering went out - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Cruces2009 - October 8 - 6:10 pm

  I got my car in Oct. 2005 and really had no problems and was planning on trading in for a Vue or Outlook with in the next year or so and then Yesterday my Power Steering went out, it was hard to turn and scary driving over a mountain with my two daughters alone. As soon as I turned off engine it was fine again. I went to dealership and its going to cost $1,000 to replace and to top it off I found out lots of people are having the same problem, this really stinks, I plan on calling customer service tommorrow, really wish there was a recall. :(

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  Nice Sporty Car for over 50 crowd - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Don - May 18 - 10:49 pm

  Was looking for a Stick Shift car as I was getting tired of my 95 Prizm with 3 spd automatic (great car, but boring!). Found this on car site, price was right, had under 89K on the clock and was a 5 speed (!). Only a few cosmetic blemishes (crack in upper front fender, small hole in side of drivers seat, but ran strong. Over the next 15 months, have replaced; A/C Unit (bought car in winter, was unable to test, Compressor was broken, replaced under warranty), new rear shocks ($50 from RA, did myself), upgraded front brakes (drilled and slotted units from RA for $105, did myself), new front wheel bearings ($75 total from RA, did myself) lower control arms ($105 total from RA, again, did myself). Not all cars are perfect, but this one has been the most fun to drive since my 1978 Firebird I had in 1982. It has the gumption to get up and go on the highway AND, you can do the Supercharger upgrade from the Redline OR Cobal SS without doing anything special as the 2.2 will handle the extra power without strengthening the valve train or crankshaft. Looking forward to having fun with this car, and...love the back suicide doors! Everyone gets a kick out of them!

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  OK car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Rita - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  I bought my 2006 Saturn ion new in April, 2006. For the first three years, it was perfect. However, in 2009 the power window on the drivers side quit working and it cost $300 to fix. The next thing was some sort of crazy quirk that froze the key in the ignition. After spending towing fees and replace the ignition, I found out that it might have been caused by parking it too long with the wheels turned hard left. (I know, I know - sounds goofy, but now I always make sure the wheels are perfectly in line when I park.) anyway, it does get good gas mileage (I have a long commute), it is ok comfort wise for a car of its class. However, if it does anything else, I am going to trade it.

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  Common problems shouldnt be "common" - 2006 Saturn ION
  By torianne9 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car about a year and a half ago. It was a leased car and it had 20,000 miles. I now have just over 55,000 miles and Ive already had the "common" door sensor problem, which wasnt cheap to fix, where my interior lights wouldnt turn off because my car didnt know that the door was shut and today I had my power steering replaced per warranty coverage. The problems that Saturn has "commonly" shouldnt be common problems. I read online that the power steering problem has cost 14 lives already. And the door sensor is extremely inconvenient. I love my car but I truly hate the "typical" problems that come with it.

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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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  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.