Overview & Reviews

The Saturn Ion was the brand's entry-level car from 2003-'07. Aimed at younger buyers, the Ion got what Saturn considered unique styling and design features, and a strong 2.2-liter engine. We never thought very highly of it, however, and took issue with its poor interior quality, unimpressive driving dynamics and bizarre styling inside and out. The Ion gave way to the vastly superior Astra hatchback.

Most Recent Saturn Ion

The Ion launched in 2003 as a replacement for the now-defunct S-Series. Throughout its lifespan, Saturn was vigilant about making minor improvements (particularly for 2005) to the quality of the ride, interior and overall refinement, so we suggest more recent model years if you've really got your heart set on a used Ion (although we hope you don't).

The front-wheel-drive Saturn Ion always came in two body styles: a four-door sedan and the "Quad Coupe." The Quad Coupe was styled like a two-door coupe but actually had two rearward-opening doors similar in style to an extended-cab pickup. For each body style, there were three primary trim levels: a base 1 (dropped for '06), 2 and 3.

All trims came standard with a 145-horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. For '06 and later, the Ion 3 sedan gained an optional 2.4-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing, which was good for 175 hp. It was part of an Enhanced Performance Package -- only available with the Ion 3 -- that also included antilock brakes, traction control and a sport-tuned suspension. A five-speed manual transmission came standard on these main trims, but most used Ions you'll come across will come with the optional four-speed automatic or an earlier continuously variable automatic transmission.

There was an additional performance trim for the Quad Coupe called the Saturn Ion Red Line. It was powered by a supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which bumped power up to 205 hp. The Ion Red Line came exclusively with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, upgraded disc brakes and a track-tuned suspension package.

One of the Ion's few strong points was its amount of cargo room in all trims. The front passenger seat folded flat, and trunk space was among the largest in the segment. The base Ions came pretty bare-bones, without standard air-conditioning or power mirrors and windows. You had to step up to the Ion 3 for these features, as well as 16-inch wheels and tires, cruise control and an upgraded CD/MP3 audio system. Given the Ion's significant depreciation, we suggest keeping your search to the Ion 3.

In road tests and comparison tests, our reviewers found the Saturn Ion to be among the lower performers in the entry-level sedan and coupe classes. Despite the strong engine, the Ion lacked liveliness, and overall performance was conservative at best. The steering was overly heavy. Even with the continuous interior improvements made throughout its lifespan, the seats were uncomfortable and offered little support. Overall, we suggest looking elsewhere for an economy car.

User Reviews:

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  Frustrated - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Frustrated - April 7 - 2:43 pm

  Its a good thing that Saturn stopped making the ION. This car developed rattles after about 1000 miles, its gas mileage has gone from about 35 average to about 13. Its going to go to the wrecker soon if it keeps losing its solid "new car" feeling. It has some pep, but that just makes the fuel pump sound like someone knocking to get out of the trunk. This car is fun to drive, but knowing that each press of the gas pedal is costing a few dollars and listening to all the interior rattle and buzz makes me drive like a senior citizen.

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  Stupid American Car... - 2007 Saturn ION
  By papaclutch - April 4 - 12:20 pm

  Used to Hondas and Toyotas. Bought used Ion for my teenage daughter - what a mistake. Clean CarFax, 91,000 seemed to drive fine. Assumed it would be good for her limited driving needs for a few years. Wrong - at just 91K needs ball joints, shocks/struts, and the transmission seems to occasionally slip. Repairs first year are going to be as much as I paid for the car - $3000! In the end I should have just spent $6000 on a good Honda or Toyota. American cars are just bad - especially GM. No American cars for me EVER AGAIN.

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  Great car - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Jennifer - March 26 - 5:36 am

  I have always drive a GMC Z-71 but living in Atlanta GA and driving 25,000 miles a year had to retire my truck to the driveway and get a car that fits my driving budget. This car has been great! I still love my truck but do not want to spend $1000 a month. The ION is fun to drive and gets about 30mi per gallon, my truck gets 12. If I had to switch this is the car for me. 16,000 miles and no problems with this car.

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  sad - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Denise - March 22 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Saturn Ion in 2005 it was a year old. I have driven it for almost four years. Really the only problem I have had with it was the CD s stick. This last Sunday however my daughter was hit on the passenger front end. After doing some research I found out that the 2004 had a recall of the body structure on the passenger side right where she was hit. she was driving about 20mph and was hit by a truck going about 55-70 in town. The Ion Airbags did not deploy. Thank God she was not hit severely. Though my car was totalled. I have found six other recalls on the car I bought and I have never received any type of notification...

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  Not really pleased... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ladydih30 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  In the past year Ive taken my car into the dealership to have 6 different (major) things repaired. The ignition was replaced, the passenger side lower control arm had to be replaced, the turn signal wiring had to be replaced, the computer replaced. There was a fuel line recall, and the door lock collapsed into the door. Someone at the dealership told me to be grateful I didnt have the same problem another customer does, apparently her car just shuts down randomly as she is driving along and they cant figure out why. I dont have the trust in my Saturn that I had in the cars Ive had by other manufaturers.

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  My pee wee ion 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Michael L. Joyner - March 18 - 10:00 am

  i like the gas mileage and the way it drives

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  Great until something goes wrong - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Diane - March 8 - 1:50 pm

  I have only had my ION for 3 months. Needless to say when I was on the highway a deer decided that it liked my car better than me. So he took out the front end of it. looking at $6000.00 in damages. But my problem is that when it hit me my seat belts completly locked up and refuse to come loose at all. If it was anywhere near my neck it would have killed me. Now after most of the repairs have been done the body shop has had to order now 3 times seat belts and all of them have been defective. Needless to say all the other parts had to been ordered twice because they had cracks. This is not giving me a good opinion on Saturn at all.

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  Truckin Along - 2007 Saturn ION
  By huntermcc - March 8 - 10:55 am

  I have 120k miles on my ion 3 and its still truckin along just fine. At around 100k I had the infamous power steering glitch, it would go out till you restarted your car but after a week it stopped. Havent had it happen in 20k miles. Just keep up with your maintenance and change the oil every 3-5k and itll last forever. I havent had one thing go wrong since I got it at 65k. I am 64" and its not the most comfortable to get in and out of if your a big person, but other than that there is nothing to complain about.

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  Ignition Switch etc - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Gary - March 7 - 3:23 am

  Saturn had always held themselves up to be a "different car company" and well, they are. Ive owned probably 20 cars in my life and never seen a company ignore a known severe problem (the ignition switch failure) leaving consumers to pay $700 or more to have repair work done. I marvel at the prior reviews - people posting here after they bought their Saturns. The fact is after a few years (we now have 45000 miles on our car) the thing begins to fall apart. Windows falling off, ignition wont turn off, bearings failing, its a real piece of you know what. I understand things fail but what is irritating is that known severe failures should cause the company to recall or reimburse.

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  my ion experience - 2003 Saturn ION
  By kc - February 28 - 10:00 am

  At 2000 miles engine light came on. Took to dealer twice, second visit it was kept for three days. Turned out to be a screw had gone through wire in harness and had to be removed. No problems since.