The 2006 Saturn Relay comes in two trim levels, which with Saturn's characteristic no-frills approach are named Relay 2 and Relay 3. (There is no Relay 1.)
All Relays are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available on Relay 3. All Relays feature seven-passenger seating, with two rows of bucket seats and a three-across split folding bench in the third row.
Relay 2 ($22,850) comes with manually operated sliding doors on both sides. Standard features include ABS, OnStar with a one-year subscription, air conditioning, tilt wheel, remote keyless entry, cruise control, power locks, power windows, power heated mirrors, a roof rail system, a nice-sounding eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio unit, rear seat audio controls, rear-seat DVD entertainment, and 17-inch wheels and tires.
Relay 3 ($27,345) adds a long list of additional standard equipment, including a six-way power driver's seat, second row captain's chairs (they have armrests, which the standard bucket seats do not), a power passenger-side sliding door, rear air conditioning, power third-row vent windows, headphones and remote control for the DVD system, storage systems overhead and in the rear cargo area, a universal garage door opener, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, traction control, and other features. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger have joined the list for '06. Second-row side impact airbags are optional ($350).
A 3.9-liter V6 is optional ($500) for late-2006 Relay 3 FWD models.
Relay 3 AWD ($29,755) adds all-wheel drive, sport-tuned steering, independent rear suspension (rather than a twist-beam axle), automatic load leveling, and an inflator kit.
Options for Relay 2 include rear-seat air conditioning ($475); a six-way power driver's seat ($275); a power sliding door for the passenger side ($450); and headphones for the DVD player ($75). An Entertainment Package ($450) includes the wireless headphones, plus a 115-volt power point and a second-row toy box. A Safety Package ($545) combines traction control with front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags. The Captain's Chair Package ($1,095) replaces the second-row buckets with captain's chairs that incorporate side-impact airbags, too.
Options for Relay 3 include leather upholstery with heated front seats ($1,350) and GPS navigation ($1,995). A Convenience Package ($545) combines a power driver-side sliding door with ultrasonic rear park assist.
Options for all Relays include StabiliTrak electronic stability control ($450); XM Satellite Radio ($325, including a one-year subscription); a PhatNoise entertainment system ($795) that features a 40 gigabyte hard drive that can store 10,000 songs in MP3, WMA or WAV formats; remote starter ($175); and a trailering package for up to 3500 pounds ($175). A Touring Package ($260) for FWD Relays combines firmer suspension components with uprated tires, automatic load leveling, and the inflator kit.
Safety equipment has been upgraded for '06. The multi-stage frontal airbags that come standard now feature GM's Passenger Sensing System, which shuts off the right-front airbag if it detects a child or small adult in that seat. Front-seat seat-belt retractors incorporate pre-tensioners and load limiters. Front-seat side-impact airbags are now standard on Relay 3 and optional on Relay 2. Second-row side-impact airbags are optional.
Also available is a second-row seat that swivels outside of the vehicle and incorporates a power lift function, designed to make it easier for physically challenged people to get in and out ($4,795).