The Ion is available as a four-door sedan or as a quad-door coupe. Both models are powered by a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. (It's the same engine introduced in the Saturn Vue sport-utility late in 2002.)
The base Ion 1 sedan comes with a manual transmission and starts at a competitive price of $11,510, but does not include air conditioning or even a radio.
The Ion 2 model with air conditioning, power door locks and an AM/FM/CD stereo starts at $13,510.
Ion 3 adds power mirrors, remote keyless entry, and cruise control for $15,010. Ion 3 is distinguished by 16-inch alloy wheels.
An optional five-speed automatic transmission adds $900 to the cost of each model. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with traction control add $595, and we recommend them highly for their ability to help you maintain control in a panic situation and avoid an accident.
The Ion Coupe is offered in much same variations as the sedans described above. The optional automatic, however, is a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.