2008 Saturn Aura Hybrid Performance Review
Based on analysis of 14 Aura-Hybrid reviews and test drives.
Performance - What the Auto Press Says
Test drivers found Aura's Green Line is a comfortable cruiser, not a fun and exciting one. Consumer Guide says, "Hybrid Green Line is significantly slower than other Auras, but copes reasonably well with traffic."
Acceleration and Power
The Aura Green Line is categorized as a "mild hybrid," meaning that the engine turns off when the car is braking or stopped, leaving the car's battery to power the car in the interim. The Green Line does have an electric motor, unlike some mild hybrids, but nonetheless, its electric motor is incapable of driving the car, even at slow speeds. As a result, test drivers aren't impressed with the Aura's oomph, or lack thereof. BusinessWeek warns, "If you're looking for a car with pep, this isn't the model for you. Even assuming that most people shopping for a budget hybrid sedan aren't lead foots, this car is quite slow."
Aura's Green Line has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid-propulsion engine that makes 164 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque. MSN is just one of many to refer to it as "anemic-feeling." Furthermore, MSN notes the vehicle's electric motor is meant to supplement the four-cylinder's engine power, "and from my test driving, it doesn't do a class-leading job of it."
Acceleration is categorized as one of the car's lowlights. During a comparison test with the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2007 Prius, Edmunds states the Aura Green Line's acceleration "didn't win it any points against its competition …. It was off the pace in acceleration to 60 mph, where it registered an embarrassing 11.0-second time - more than 2.5 seconds behind the 2nd-place Camry." Automobile.com states the car's ability to accelerate is "hobbled by a less than optimal four-speed automatic" transmission.
The stop-start hybrid transitions are also not popular. Automobile.com says, "The second you release the brake pedal from a stop, the inline four wakes up from its idle-stop slumber with all the subtlety of a boot to the backside."
Reviewers say there's another flaw with the Aura's hybrid engine -- its purported fuel efficiency. MSN says it has, "Disappointing fuel economy," and Newsday notes, "Although the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] numbers are very good on the Aura, don't expect to see the stellar mileage of the Prius." However CNET argues, "While its hybrid drive train may not be as sophisticated as that of other manufacturers, the Saturn Aura Green Line does succeed in its mission of delivering significantly improved gas mileage over its award-winning gasoline counterpart." According to the EPA, expect the Aura's hybrid model to achieve 24 miles per gallon in the city, and 32 on highways.
Handling and Braking
Though the Saturn Aura Green Line's engine power is categorized as less than satisfactory, test drivers say the Aura Green Line has a pleasant ride. MSN reports they "enjoyed the comfortable ride and easy handling nature of the Aura." Consumer Guide says there's little difference between the suspension tuning in the Green Line and the Aura's conventional trims, reporting that all "have a firm but agreeable ride," and adding, "Body control is generally good …. Green Line rides on the smallest wheels and has the most comfortable ride of the three." According to BusinessWeek, the Green Line's suspension and electric power steering with variable assist are carryovers from GM's Opel cars, and "have a tight, European feel to them."
As with most hybrid vehicles, the 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line's four-wheel disc, anti-lock brakes are regenerative, which means the brakes store some electrical energy for future use during the drive. Reviewers feel a learning curve is necessary to use the brakes properly. MSN reports, "Only with practice did I learn that in the test Aura hybrid, the brake pedal had to be pressed firmly to the floor for the engine to turn off. Unfortunately, this meant that my stops were no longer smooth. Rather, they ended in a jolt."
