The 2006 Saturn Ion is available as a four-door sedan or an innovative coupe, which Saturn calls a Quad Coupe for its unusual reverse-opening rear doors. Picture the door arrangement on an extended-cab pickup, but with more style.
The base engine for the Ion is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder rated at 140 horsepower. New for 2006 is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated 170 horsepower. The top-performing Red Line model comes with a supercharged 2.0-liter four rated 205 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and an automatic transmission is optional ($900).
For 2006, the sedan is offered in two trim levels, called Ion 2 and Ion 3. Quad Coupes come in Ion 2, Ion 3, and Red Line trim.
The Ion 2 sedan ($11,925) and Quad Coupe ($12,925) come with air conditioning, four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, tilt steering, height-adjustable driver's seat, an immobilizing anti-theft system, and 195/60 tires on 15-inch steel wheels. OnStar, previously a $695 option, is now standard as well. A Preferred Package ($875) adds cruise control, power windows, mirrors and locks. Aluminum wheels are also available ($440).
The Ion 3 sedan ($14,325) and coupe ($15,625) add an MP3 player and better speakers, cruise control, programmable power locks with remote keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, and other niceties, plus 205/55 tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels. Leather upholstery ($700) is optional. The new Enhanced Performance Package ($995) combines the new 2.4-liter engine with stiffer shocks and anti-roll bars.
Ion Red Line Quad Coupe ($19,425) boasts 205 horsepower from a supercharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine mated to a heavy-duty Getrag five-speed manual gearbox. The Red Line comes with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a recalibrated suspension with a lowered ride height (by 10mm), and 215/45R17 tires on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels. The Ion Red Line is distinguished by unique front and rear fascias, side sills, a rear wing, a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and Recaro sport seats. A Competition Package ($1,375) adds a Quaife limited-slip differential, 17-inch forged wheels, a boost gauge and a programmable tachometer.
Stereo upgrades include a CD changer, CD/MP3 systems, and XM Satellite Radio ($325). A Travel Package ($200) includes a map light, outside temperature gauge, compass, and auto-dimming inside mirror. A power sunroof ($725) is available for all models.
Safety features include dual-stage driver and front-passenger frontal airbags. New for 2006 is a Passenger Sensing System that switches off the right front airbag if the right front seat is unoccupied, or occupied by a small adult or child who could be injured by the airbag; it's standard in all Ions except the Red Line. (Saturn still strongly recommends restraining children in the back seat in appropriate child seats.) Optional side-curtain airbags ($395) are designed to improve head protection for front- and rear-seat passengers in the event of a side impact or rollover. The Ion has received five-star/five-star ratings, the highest attainable, in the federal government's crash tests. We recommend the optional ABS and traction control ($400) as it can help the driver avoid a crash. Always wear your seatbelts as they are your first line of defense in an accident.