The Ion sedan is a good choice for tall drivers as it offers lots of headroom, a benefit of its high roofline. The front seats have longer-than-normal adjustment rails as well. A short front-seat passenger can slide way forward to allow more legroom for someone in back, while a tall front passenger can take advantage of expansive leg room when no one is sitting behind. Rear passengers enjoy good headroom and the rear seats are mounted two inches higher than the front seats, giving them a better view out front. Rear-seat legroom is adequate for a compact.

The first thing you'll notice when climbing in the Ion is the center-mounted instrument cluster. The advantage of this, says Saturn, is that the instruments can be set at the same level as the outside mirrors, so there's no need to look down, only across. Tall drivers find it convenient, but short drivers who sit closer to the steering wheel have to swivel their heads farther to look across at the speedometer. We're traditionalists in this regard, preferring to have our gauges hidden behind the steering wheel, but the Ion's open dash design does give the cockpit an airy feel.

Forward visibility is good, though inhibited toward the corners by thick windshield pillars. The view over the right shoulder is hindered by wide C-pillars. We found the electric window switches hard to locate in the dark, as they are not illuminated and are located rearward of where we expected them. At least they are mounted on the door and not on the center console.

Big trunks add to the practicality of the coupe and the sedan. With a capacity of nearly 15 cubic feet and a practical shape with a flat floor, the sedan's trunk is big for a compact and is as big as those in many mid-size cars. Remarkably, the coupe's trunk is only half a cubic foot smaller. Among sport coupes, the Ion Quad Coupe is a real cargo hauler.

OnStar, GM's security and information service, is now standard in all Saturns. It can be quite useful. Unlike a navigation system, there's nothing to program. Simply press the OnStar button and a human operator responds to provide directions or whatever assistance you may need to make life more wonderful. OnStar operators can quickly pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle. Just ask and they'll give you directions to the nearest gas station, ATM, or Mexican restaurant. OnStar operators will notify authorities of your location if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls and rescue crews will be dispatched to the scene. Or you can press the Emergency button and they'll send out the troops. If you lock the keys inside, call OnStar and they will magically unlock them for you. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its exact location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover.

The audio system in the model we tested was a paragon of ergonomic design. All stereo systems should be designed this well. The optional CD player features big buttons and knobs to control audio functions. An MP3 player can be added as well. A nice in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 capability is also available.

XM Satellite Radio is a great option to have when traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country. You still get ads, but they are fewer and less obnoxious than what you hear on FM. Around town, XM Satellite Radio is nice to have for listening to the 24-hour news channels such as CNN, Fox News, specialized sports channels such as NASCAR Racing, talk radio, or one of the many music stations. Instant traffic and weather reports are being added and are now available for the top 20 metro areas, providing more in-depth information than what's available on AM.

Driving Impressions

The Saturn Ion is a lot of fun on a winding road. It handles well and the engine pulls nicely. Brake for the corners, turn in, and roll onto the gas. It's also smooth and quiet, something that hasn't always been the case.

Saturn has improved the Ion each year since its introduction as a 2003 model. The steering is much better, thanks to recalibrated steering, though it still seems sensitive at high speeds. The variable-ratio steering is electrically assisted, a technology General Motors developed first for its luxury cars. It makes the steering boost more effective at slow speed and improves fuel economy as power is not sapped from the engine by a hydraulic pump. The downside is that there is little feedback through the wheel, making it difficult to know how much traction the front tires have in cornering. We do like the sedan's small turning radius, which is a couple of feet tighter than that of a Dodge Neon or Ford Focus. That's useful when making U-turns.

Ride and handling are about average for the class. The Ion seems to be free of squeaks and rattles, especially since additional sound deadening material was added for '05. GM's Quiet Steel is used in the firewall between the engine compartment and passenger area. (Two pieces of steel sandwich a layer of asphalt, which absorbs vibration much better than traditional materials.) A noise-absorbing cover over the engine cuts sound from that source. Overall, the latest Ion seems more refined than it used to be. Noise and vibration are now about average for a compact car.