Saturn's first attempt at a midsize sedan was the L-series, which debuted for 2000. Unlike the unique-to-Saturn compact S-series, the L-series shared the GM2900 platform with the Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3 & 9-5. Sales were less than stellar and the model was discontinued after the 2005 model year.
They took another swing at the segment with the Aura for 2007. Based on the same Epsilon platform that underpinned a host of other vehicles from the Chevy Malibu and Pontiac G6, to the Fiat Croma, Opel Vectra, and Saab 9-3, the Aura was a fairly conventional FWD midsize sedan. The interior got good reviews for its appearance and layout but was dinged for everything being a bit plasticky.
The base XE came with the pushrod LZ4 3.5L V-6, rated at 224 SAE net horsepower, while the higher-end XR featured the DOHC LY7 3.6L 24V V-6 that put out 252 ponies. The XE got a four-speed automatic, while the XR had a six-speed slushbox with paddle shifters. Car and Driver clocked the XR at 6.2 seconds in the sprint to sixty, which is plenty quick for a family bus.
Base price on the XE was a very reasonable $20,595, which is about $33,500 in inflation-adjusted dollars. It was produced through the 2009 model year before vanishing along with the rest of the Saturn marque.
The Black Onyx Aura XE in the photo was snapped in October of 2026 using a Nikon Df and 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G zoom lens.
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