Wow.
This could be the best FWD midsize sedan GM has ever built.
For the most part we don't get the good stuff here in the US. Now and again we get a gem from overseas (the departing Pontiac GTO a gift from Holden would be one example) but for the most part we don't get the stuff you guys in Europe get. That's starting to change.
Saturn in the US is basically turning into Opel USA, and we'll probably wind up with every Opel model in the US (Captiva = Vue. Astra. Maybe even Corsa) and it starts with the Aura. What a way to kick things off.
The car I drove had the uplevel engine--a 3.6L DOHC V6 making 252 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode (no true stickshift is offered). Off-the-line performance is spirited to say the least, and the car surges forward with considerable gusto. The car's wide powerband and prodigious amount of torque gives it a lot of low and mid range punch for passing or squirting out of corners. The brakes were equally good, providing confident stopping power from four-wheel ABS discs. The suspension is up to the task as well. It's not bone-jarring firm, but it's firm enough to keep the car well-planted at speed. Likewise it's still comfortable enough to be a good daily driver, soaking up the typical road irregularities and potholes to be found on your average American surface street while letting only the largest craters through to the cabin.
Speaking of the cabin, it's a really nice place to be. The car I drove had the Moroccan Brown leather and wood trim, which features only a little brightwork on the console and some trim rings on the dash. The wood paneling is unfortunately not real wood, one of the few sticking points I have with the car. The brushed metal trim looks much better, but it's not available with the brown leather. Interior room is excellent for a midsizer, allowing plenty of front head and legroom for a six-footer like me. Once the front seat was adjusted for my comfort I climbed in back to see there was still a couple inches between the back of the seat and my kneecaps. Rear seat passengers had their own audio controls as well, something good to keep the kids quiet on long trips--however those same audio controls eat into legroom for the middle rear-seat passenger.
Cargo space is ample in the Aura, however the trunk opening itself is a little too narrow and a little too high up. I'd like it to have been a bit wider to facilitate loading of bigger items.
That said, there are a few points lacking on the Aura. The car lacks a four-cylinder option (available on both the Accord and Camry) as well as a manual transmission and a hybrid drivetrain. All of these things however are on the way, so it's only a matter of time.
Will this be the car to save GM of North America? No--it'll take more than one car to save GM. Does it beat the Accord and Camry at their own game? ...I'm going to say yes. Yes it does.
This could be the best FWD midsize sedan GM has ever built.
For the most part we don't get the good stuff here in the US. Now and again we get a gem from overseas (the departing Pontiac GTO a gift from Holden would be one example) but for the most part we don't get the stuff you guys in Europe get. That's starting to change.
Saturn in the US is basically turning into Opel USA, and we'll probably wind up with every Opel model in the US (Captiva = Vue. Astra. Maybe even Corsa) and it starts with the Aura. What a way to kick things off.
The car I drove had the uplevel engine--a 3.6L DOHC V6 making 252 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode (no true stickshift is offered). Off-the-line performance is spirited to say the least, and the car surges forward with considerable gusto. The car's wide powerband and prodigious amount of torque gives it a lot of low and mid range punch for passing or squirting out of corners. The brakes were equally good, providing confident stopping power from four-wheel ABS discs. The suspension is up to the task as well. It's not bone-jarring firm, but it's firm enough to keep the car well-planted at speed. Likewise it's still comfortable enough to be a good daily driver, soaking up the typical road irregularities and potholes to be found on your average American surface street while letting only the largest craters through to the cabin.
Speaking of the cabin, it's a really nice place to be. The car I drove had the Moroccan Brown leather and wood trim, which features only a little brightwork on the console and some trim rings on the dash. The wood paneling is unfortunately not real wood, one of the few sticking points I have with the car. The brushed metal trim looks much better, but it's not available with the brown leather. Interior room is excellent for a midsizer, allowing plenty of front head and legroom for a six-footer like me. Once the front seat was adjusted for my comfort I climbed in back to see there was still a couple inches between the back of the seat and my kneecaps. Rear seat passengers had their own audio controls as well, something good to keep the kids quiet on long trips--however those same audio controls eat into legroom for the middle rear-seat passenger.
Cargo space is ample in the Aura, however the trunk opening itself is a little too narrow and a little too high up. I'd like it to have been a bit wider to facilitate loading of bigger items.
That said, there are a few points lacking on the Aura. The car lacks a four-cylinder option (available on both the Accord and Camry) as well as a manual transmission and a hybrid drivetrain. All of these things however are on the way, so it's only a matter of time.
Will this be the car to save GM of North America? No--it'll take more than one car to save GM. Does it beat the Accord and Camry at their own game? ...I'm going to say yes. Yes it does.
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