The 2008 Saturn Aura comes in four models, XE, XR, and Green Line. All are front-wheel drive.
Aura XE ($19,745) comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes cloth upholstery; air conditioning; cruise control; traction control; a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack; XM Satellite Radio; OnStar; tilt/telescope steering wheel; six-way power driver's seat; 60/40 split folding rear seat; power windows, mirrors and locks with keyless entry; automatic headlights; and 225/50 tires on 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. An optional 3.5-liter V6 ($1,580) includes StabiliTrak.
Aura Green Line hybrid ($22,140) uses a four-cylinder engine assisted by an electric motor. The Green Line is equipped like the XE and adds automatic climate control and StabiliTrak. Tires are 215/60R16s on 16-inch alloy wheels. Options for the Hybrid are limited to the sunroof and the Preferred Package.
Aura XR ($25,375) comes with a 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift control paddles on the steering wheel. The XR also features automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, front seat heaters, heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver's side, a remote engine starter, an eight-speaker stereo with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and controls on the steering wheel, rear audio controls, a universal garage door opener, fog lamps, and 225/50 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels.
Options for the XE: The Preferred Package ($440) adds eight-way power driver's seat and steering wheel radio controls. The Convenience Package ($840) adds heated front seats and exterior mirrors, remote starter, auto-dimming inside rearview and outside driver's mirror, and universal garage door opener. The Advanced Audio Package ($725) adds the eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer and rear audio controls. Chromed ($200) and alloy ($400) wheels are also available.
Options for XE and XR models include an Enhanced Convenience Package ($425) comprising a six-way power passenger seat and power adjustable pedals; a Premium Trim Package ($990) that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather upholstery and heated front seats; a power sunroof with sunshade ($800); premium floor and trunk mats ($100); and an engine-block heater ($75). XR is available with Morocco Brown leather ($150). The Carbon Flash Limited Edition ($2,025) is available on V6-powered XEs with metallic gray paint and gray interior, the sunroof, the Premium Trim Package, and chromed wheels.
Safety features that come standard on all models include anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and traction control. V6 models and the hybrid come standard with electronic stability control, which is not available on the base four-cylinder. Passive safety features that come standard on all models include front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters, dual front air bags, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags (for torso protection in a side impact), and front- and rear-seat curtain air bags (for head protection in a rollover or side impact). Be sure to wear those seat belts because they are your first line of defense in a crash.