The 2009 Saturn Aura comes in four models: XE, XR, XR V6, and Hybrid (formerly called Green Line). All are front-wheel drive. XE, XR and Hybrid come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine; a 3.6-liter V6 powers the XR V6.
XE, XR, and XR V6 come with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift control paddles on the steering wheel. The Hybrid comes with a four-speed automatic.
Aura XE ($22,655) features cloth upholstery; air conditioning; cruise control; a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack and redundant steering wheel controls; XM Satellite Radio; OnStar; tilt/telescope steering wheel; two-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar support; 60/40 split folding rear seat; power windows, mirrors and locks with keyless entry; automatic headlights; and 225/50R17 low-rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch steel wheels.
Aura XR ($24.670) adds leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an eight-way power driver seat, front seat heaters, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Aura XR V6 ($27,150), in addition to the larger engine, upgrades to automatic climate control, auto-dimming inside mirror with compass, universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver's side, fog lights, remote engine starter, and 225/50R18 touring tires on 18-inch alloy wheels.
Aura Hybrid ($26,240) is equipped similarly to the XE, but adds automatic climate control and skips the audio buttons on the steering wheel.
A Preferred Package ($430) adds an eight-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped shift knob, and Bluetooth to XE; the same package adds all of the above plus steering-wheel audio controls to the Hybrid. Hybrids with the Preferred Package can add the Premium Trim Package ($990), which includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather upholstery and heated front seats. A Convenience Package for XR ($590) adds heated exterior mirrors, remote starter, auto-dimming inside rearview and outside driver's mirror, compass, and universal garage door opener; a similar package for XE ($840) adds heated front seats as well. Available on XR and XR V6 is a six-way power passenger seat ($400); a 6-CD changer ($300); and an Advanced Audio Package ($425) comprising an eight-speaker, 240-watt audio system with rear-seat audio controls with two wireless headphones. All models offer a power sunroof with sunshade ($800), premium floor mats ($80-100), woodgrain interior trim ($75), and an engine-block heater ($75). The new All Season Package ($290) includes rubber floor mats and molded splash guards, but is not offered on the Hybrid. Chromed wheel covers ($200) are available on XE only.
Safety features that come standard on all models include anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and for 2009, StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Passive safety features that come standard on all models include front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters, dual advanced 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.