Saturn Ion
2004–2007 model years · Generation introduced 2003
Compare the years. Keep the details.
Compare model years ↓
- Available years
- 2004–2007
- Yearly records
- 4
- Reported market values
- $2,725–$2,875
The overview
Available as a sedan or four-door coupe, our test of the 2003 Saturn Ion didn’t have many high points. General Motors has made some changes in 2005, but they do not overcome the car’s weaknesses. On the positive side, the Ion is quick, and braking performance is very good. But the noisy engine returns unimpressive fuel economy. The cabin has poor-fitting materials. The seats are uncomfortable and the rear is cramped. Steering is inconsistent. The Ion scored Poor in IIHS side impact tests with or without head-protecting side air bags.
Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.
Compare the years
Each row keeps its own source data.
| Model year | Market value | Reliability | Owner rating | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 ↗ 3 sedan 2.2-liter 4 (145 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed | $2,725 | Not rated | Not rated | 27 MPG |
| 2006 ↗ 3 sedan 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed | $2,875 | Not rated | Not rated | 27 MPG |
| 2005 ↗ 3 sedan FWD 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed | $2,850 | Not rated | Not rated | 27 MPG |
| 2004 ↗ sedan 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 5-speed | $2,725 | Not rated | Not rated | 27 MPG |
Values depend on trim and condition. Ratings are source-reported; road-test results may describe a tested configuration.
Year by year
2007 model
3 sedan 2.2-liter 4 (145 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2007 listings ↗ Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- coupe
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2003
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $2,725
- Retail value range
- $2,725 - $2,725
- Original MSRP range
- $12,300 - $19,900
- Trade-in range
- $520 - $545
Ratings
- Road test score
- 38/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 24 MPG
- EPA highway
- 32 MPG
- EPA combined
- 27 MPG
- Tested city
- 17 MPG
- Tested highway
- 35 MPG
- Tested overall
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,915
- Cruising range
- 340 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.3 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 9.2 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 130 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51.5 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 185 in
- Width
- 67 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 103 in
- Weight
- 2,865 lb
- Maximum load
- 900 lb
- Towing capacity
- 1,000 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5.5 in
- Front leg room
- 40 in
- Rear head room
- 1 in
- Rear leg room
- 25.5 in
- Luggage
- 3+2+0
Vehicle ID: 5296 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2006 model
3 sedan 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2006 listings ↗
Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- coupe
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2003
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $2,875
- Retail value range
- $2,875 - $2,900
- Original MSRP range
- $11,925 - $19,425
- Trade-in range
- $670 - $725
Ratings
- Road test score
- 38/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 24 MPG
- EPA highway
- 32 MPG
- EPA combined
- 27 MPG
- Tested city
- 17 MPG
- Tested highway
- 35 MPG
- Tested overall
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,915
- Cruising range
- 340 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.3 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 9.2 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 130 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51.5 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 185 in
- Width
- 67 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 103 in
- Weight
- 2,865 lb
- Maximum load
- 900 lb
- Towing capacity
- 1,000 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5.5 in
- Front leg room
- 40 in
- Rear head room
- 1 in
- Rear leg room
- 25.5 in
- Luggage
- 3+2+0
Vehicle ID: 4613 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2005 model
3 sedan FWD 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 4-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2005 listings ↗
Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- coupe
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2003
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $2,850
- Retail value range
- $2,800 - $2,850
- Original MSRP range
- $11,430 - $20,885
- Trade-in range
- $620 - $680
Ratings
- Road test score
- 38/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 24 MPG
- EPA highway
- 32 MPG
- EPA combined
- 27 MPG
- Tested city
- 17 MPG
- Tested highway
- 35 MPG
- Tested overall
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,915
- Cruising range
- 340 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.3 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 9.2 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 130 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51.5 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 185 in
- Width
- 67 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 103 in
- Weight
- 2,865 lb
- Maximum load
- 900 lb
- Towing capacity
- 1,000 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5.5 in
- Front leg room
- 40 in
- Rear head room
- 1 in
- Rear leg room
- 25.5 in
- Luggage
- 3+2+0
Vehicle ID: 2117 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
2004 model
sedan 2.2-liter 4 (140 hp) (Regular Gasoline) Automatic 5-speed · Conventional · Used
Find 2004 listings ↗
Specifications
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- coupe
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Category
- Small sedans/hatchbacks
- Generation began
- 2003
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $2,725
- Retail value range
- $2,725 - $2,725
- Original MSRP range
- $10,430 - $20,385
- Trade-in range
- $545 - $565
Ratings
- Road test score
- 29/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 24 MPG
- EPA highway
- 32 MPG
- EPA combined
- 27 MPG
- Tested city
- 17 MPG
- Tested highway
- 34 MPG
- Tested overall
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $1,980
- Cruising range
- 320 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.6 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 10.3 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 135 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 52 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 185 in
- Width
- 67 in
- Height
- 57 in
- Wheelbase
- 103 in
- Weight
- 2,855 lb
- Maximum load
- 900 lb
- Towing capacity
- 1,000 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 5.5 in
- Front leg room
- 41.5 in
- Rear head room
- 2 in
- Rear leg room
- 26.5 in
- Luggage
- 3+1+0
Vehicle ID: 4267 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: September 11, 2026
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
Behind the data
Latest source update: September 11, 2026
Vehicle summaries, specifications, pricing and ratings come from Consumer Reports vehicle records. Auto Guide groups these records by model and reported generation start year.
Available years are listed explicitly. Gaps do not imply that a model was discontinued. Prices are source estimates, not live offers. No first-hand road test by Auto Guide is claimed.
