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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, October 29, 2009 9:18 PM

BEHIND THE WHEEL: Drive off the lot with an out-of-this-world deal

By LINDA BROWN, Behind The Wheel

This week, we’re on the road in a 2008 Saturn Aura XE from Crist Auto and RV Sales at I-35 and K-68 highways.

Introduced in 2007, the Aura was one of the best things to happen to the Saturn brand. It was named North American Car of the Year and offers the same comfort and features as all General Motors mid-size sedans but has a little more style and flare.

Powered by a 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, the Aura holds its own during highway acceleration and offers 30 mpg on the highway as well.

Set on the same platform as the Pontiac G6 and 2008 Chevy Malibu, the Aura is front-wheel-drive and features independent front suspension, along with a sportier chassis than its GM cousins.

Inside the Aura is roomy and quiet, an accomplishment often failed by car manufacturers putting low-slung sedans on the road.

A good choice for a family of four, the Aura has an abundance of backseat space but lacks a center armrest for rear-riding passengers. While not a huge deal to some car owners, a rear center armrest has proven to be better than a babysitter for families with warring siblings in the backseat.

The front seat is equally roomy and has wide door openings, although you may look a little ungraceful when trying to get behind the wheel until you get used to the drop.

The vehicle is equipped with the usual power equipment and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system.

One of the coolest interior features comes where, in the old days, you’d expect to find an ashtray. Behind the oblong, touch-sensitive door is a 12 volt cell phone charging station. Pretty cool, pretty handy and you always know where your phone is.

The Aura XE four-door design looks sporty enough for a young family to feel good about, but is sophisticated enough for the more mature driver.

Safety features include the OnStar emergency communication system, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags and traction control.

The Aura earned a perfect five stars in frontal and side-impact crash tests.

If you’re planning a road trip, the trunk capacity measures at 15 cubic feet. The Aura provides a European feel behind the wheel and should make a great long-distance traveling companion.

On sale this week at Crist Auto and RV Sales this 2008 Aura with 29,000 miles on the odometer is priced at $13,485.

Test drive and take it home all in one day, but you’d better hurry, there’s only one.

Linda Brown is marketing director for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.

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BEHIND THE WHEEL: Drive off the lot with an out-of-this-world deal

By LINDA BROWN, Behind The Wheel

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.