So many new vehicles hit the market for the 2007 model year, and the 2008 model year will offer about 80 new models that include sports cars, sedans, pickups, SUVs, and an assortment of hybrids. We've test driven many of the 2008 models, but there have been some outstanding 2007 models yet to be hailed. One of those is the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid Sedan, a winner of several awards for its style and performance. The Aura won the North American Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show for good reason-it's a great car.
The Aura has a sharply designed front grille and exterior styling, plus it has been carefully designed on the inside to be both attractive and usable. It has the most competitive price in its market segment at $22,045, and is loaded with safety and comfort features.
Our tested Green Line Hybrid had the 2.4-liter, DOHC, Ecotec, four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and fuel injection. Combined with a four-speed automatic transmission, the sedan offered plenty of power and performance and handled smoothly. EPA estimated fuel economy is 28 MPG/city and 35 MPG/highway.
Included on our hybrid sedan were an advanced NIMH hybrid battery, electric motor generator unit, regenerative brakes with ABS, Stabilitrak stability/traction control system, stainless steel exhaust system, folding/power outside mirrors, power windows/doors/seats, air conditioning, tire pressure monitoring system, and a great deal more.
In the safety arena, the Aura offered dual front airbags, a passenger sensing system, head curtain side impact airbags in the front and outboard rear seat, and side impact airbags for the driver and passenger. The Aura has a 5-Star frontal crash and side crash government ratings. It also has a 4-Star rollover rating.
We found the interior to be comfortable and very driver- oriented, with clear instruments that include a hybrid charge/assist gauge and driver information system. There is a split rear seat and six-speaker audio system with CD/MP3 player.
Overall, the Aura Hybrid was immensely pleasant to drive. It's a solid mid-size sedan that handles and corners well, and it's a lot of car for the money combined with its fuel economy.
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The Honda and Acura lineup of coupes and sedans has an amazing group of cars to choose from. We've driven most of the 2007 and some of the 2008 models. One of our favorites is the 2008 Arcua TSX NAVI-a sports sedan with plenty of attributes.
Our tested unit was powered by a 205-HP 2.4-liter I-VTEC engine. With its 16 valves and DOHC, the four-cylinder power plant offered plentiful acceleration and performance with its multiport fuel injection system. It was mated with a five-speed automatic transmission with sequential SportShift, allowing manual action if desired. The powertrain is reactive and shifting is smooth and efficient.
The TSX four-wheel double-wishbone suspension offers front and rear stabilizer bars. It's as tight as any sedan and handles well with its variable-assist rack and pinion power steering system and drive-by wire throttle system. P215/50R17 93V all-season tires are mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels.
Standard equipment on the TSX includes everything from Electronic Brake Distribution to a power moon roof. Our tested unit included anti-lock brakes; Vehicle Stability Assist; tire pressure monitoring system; complete front, head, and side airbag systems; the always-pleasant Acura audio system with eight speakers; XM Satellite radio; Bluetooth hands-free link; heated front seats; dual-zone climate control system with air filtration; heated power door mirrors; fog lamps; eight-way power drivers seat; leather trimmed seats; Xenon HID headlamps; iPod auxiliary jack; and a plethora of other features. There were no added options on our tested TSX.
The Acura Navigation System (hence the NAVI in the vehicle description) is one of the best on the market. The navi system has voice-activation and features an 8-inch touch screen mounted in the center control panel. Drivers or passengers can enter an address for a destination, or simply note your current location clearly outlined on the screen. Zagat Survey restaurant guides are built into the system as well.
With a rigid body structure, the TSX utilizes strong materials to add rigidity with lower weight. The use of lightweight magnesium and high-tensile steel enhance the car's strength while minimizing mass. The chassis is comprised of a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension systems. They provide an immensely enjoyable ride, and with torque-sensing variable-speed rack and pinion steering the handling characteristics are dynamic.
Overall, the TSX is a joy to drive. It has comfortable seating, provides lots of interior space, and there are plenty of performance elements to satisfy the most demanding driver. All for a MSRP of $30,290. EPA estimated fuel ratings are 20 MPG/city and 28 MPG/highway.
