| The Saturn XR model we
sampled was optioned up from a base of $24,595 to slightly more
than $27,000, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels (vs. 16s on
the XE), eight-way power driver seat, advanced audio, stability
control, seat heaters, remote start, & a choice of aluminum or
woodgrain interior trim. The latter is good enough that you have
to ask if it’s wood (it’s not), but we prefer the
brushed-aluminum look. From the driver’s standpoint, the biggest
upgrade to the Saturn XR is GM’s high-feature 3.6-liter
overhead-cam aluminum-block V6 with VVT coupled to a six-speed
automatic (the first front-drive application for this
transmission). It makes a strong 252 hp &, more importantly,
follows the Camry example with a displacement advantage over the
Honda. This pays off with 251 lb-ft of torque at only 3200 rpm. |