Stereo upgrades include a CD changer, CD/MP3 systems, and XM Satellite Radio ($325). A Travel Package ($200) includes a map light, outside temperature gauge, compass, and auto-dimming inside mirror. A power sunroof ($725) is available for all models.

Safety features include dual-stage driver and front-passenger frontal airbags. New for 2006 is a Passenger Sensing System that switches off the right front airbag if the right front seat is unoccupied, or occupied by a small adult or child who could be injured by the airbag; it's standard in all Ions except the Red Line. (Saturn still strongly recommends restraining children in the back seat in appropriate child seats.) Optional side-curtain airbags ($395) are designed to improve head protection for front- and rear-seat passengers in the event of a side impact or rollover. The Ion has received five-star/five-star ratings, the highest attainable, in the federal government's crash tests. We recommend the optional ABS and traction control ($400) as it can help the driver avoid a crash. Always wear your seatbelts as they are your first line of defense in an accident.

Walkaround

The Saturn Ion sedan is stylish and draws favorable comments on the street. The bright metal grille with the Saturn logo front-and-center that were added for 2005 give the Ion a more conventional look, but it's less polarizing (and better looking) than the previous design with its heavy bright bar over a blacked-out slot just above the bumper.

The windshield slopes dramatically, helping the relatively tall Ion look sleek. And the Ion does stand tall, at 57.4 inches. The sedan's roof curves heavily down to the high trunk line, almost giving it the appearance of a hatchback rather than a traditional sedan. We found the Ion's small, lever-style door handles relatively hard to grasp.

The Quad Coupe breathes through a blacked-out slot above the bumper and a larger rectangular scoop below, but it looks simple, functional, and attractive. Red Line models have three big openings below the bumper.

The Quad Coupe gets its name from a pair of mini-doors behind the main portals that open on rear-mounted hinges, in much the same way as the auxiliary doors on an extended-cab pickup. The rear doors have no exterior handles to compromise the coupe's sporty styling; and when they are open, there's no B-pillar in the opening, which makes access to the rear seat very easy for such a small car. It's an innovative design that enhances the practicality of this sport coupe. The front passenger seat folds flat, improving utility further. Saturn likes to demonstrate that it's possible to stuff a nine-foot kayak into the coupe through its doors, a feat that would be plenty tough for many SUVs, let alone other compact coupes. You may not find the need to stuff a kayak in your car, but you may occasionally need to haul something big and the Quad Coupe's rear access doors will be helpful.

Ion continues the Saturn tradition of attaching composite polymer body panels to a substantial steel space-frame. The polymer panels can't rust and, because they are slightly resilient, they resist the minor impacts that leave small dents and dings in sheet metal. Another benefit of the composite panels is that they are relatively easy to replace. Saturn has exploited this advantage on the Ion by offering alternatively colored roof rails that owners can easily install to customize their car's appearance. Nickel-Silver roof rails are available for the coupe and sedan, and Charcoal rails are available for the sedan only. The downside is that the composite panels look thicker than steel panels, and gaps between body parts have to be greater to allow for expansion and contraction in hot and cold weather.

Interior Features

Ion's interior looks stylish and youthful, with a design theme that features interlocking half circles and an assortment of textures. We weren't happy with the comfort nor the quality of the Ion interior when the model first appeared in 2003, but Saturn has made significant changes since then.

The biggest of these changes came for 2005, when larger and more substantial seats replaced the original flat and skimpy perches. This represented a vast improvement, though we'd still like more side support. However, they do feature a height adjustment via a mechanical jacking system something like Volkswagen's. The Red Line coupe comes with excellent Recaro seats, but they are best suited for drivers with narrow hips.

Textures and materials were upgraded for 2005 and the overall effect is nice. Chrome rings adorn the instruments and vents. The four-spoke steering wheel feels nice to the touch and is larger in diameter than previously, making it more comfortable to hold. The shifter and cruise controls were improved as well.

For 2006, Saturn has addressed the center stack and console, adding storage space above the radio while increasing inboard clearance for knees. The standard fabric in Ion 3 has been upgraded for 2006 as well.