Lots of headroom, a benefit of its high roofline, makes the Ion sedan a good choice for tall drivers. Passengers in all four seats of the Ion sedans enjoy good headroom. Rear passengers benefit from slightly elevated (theater) seating, as the rear seats are mounted two inches higher than the front seats. This gives back-seat riders a better view. Rear-seat legroom is adequate, and the front seats have longer-than-normal adjustment rails. A short front-seat passenger can slide way forward to allow more legroom for someone in back, while a tall front passenger can take advantage of expansive leg room when no one is sitting behind.
The interior looks stylish and youthful. Ion's interior design features interlocking half circles and an assortment of textures. Textures and materials have been upgraded for 2005 and the overall effect is nice. New chrome rings adorn the instruments and vents. The new four-spoke steering wheel feels nice to the touch and is larger in diameter than last year's, making it more comfortable to hold. There's a new shifter and new cruise controls. However, the center console is tiny and the switchgear feels cheap.
The open dash design gives the Ion an airy feel. Immediately noticeable is the center-mounted instrument cluster, a feature popularized by the Mini Cooper and Toyota Echo. The advantage of this, says Saturn, is that the instruments can be set at the same level as the outside mirrors, so there's no need to look down, only across. Tall drivers find it convenient, but short drivers who sit closer to the steering wheel have to swivel their heads farther to look across at the speedometer.
Forward visibility is good, though inhibited toward the corners by thick A-pillars in front. The view over the right shoulder is hindered by wide C-pillars. We found the electric window switches hard to locate in the dark, as they are not illuminated and are located rearward of where we expected them. At least they are mounted on the door and not on the center console as in previous Saturn models.
A big trunk adds to the practicality of both coupe and sedan. The sedan's trunk is a little larger than the coupe's and, with a capacity of nearly 15 cubic feet and a practical shape with a flat floor, it's as big any in its segment and is as big as those in many mid-size cars.
OnStar, GM's security and information service, is at times quite useful. Unlike a navigation system, there's nothing to program. Simply press the OnStar button and a human operator responds to provide directions or any other assistance to make your life more wonderful. OnStar operators can quickly pinpoint the exact location of your vehicle, and can direct you to the nearest gas station, ATM or Mexican restaurant. OnStar operators will notify authorities of your location if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls, and rescue crews will be dispatched to the scene. Or you can press the emergency button and they'll send out the troops. If you lock the keys inside, they can unlock the doors. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its exact location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover.
The audio system is a paragon of ergonomic design. All stereo systems should be designed this well. The optional CD player features big buttons and knobs to control audio functions. An MP3 player can be added as well. A nice in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 capability is also available.
XM Satellite Radio is a great option to have when traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country. You still get ads, but they are fewer and less obnoxious than what you hear on FM. Around town, XM Satellite Radio is nice to have for listening to the 24-hour news channels such as Fox News and CNN, specialized sports channels such as NASCAR Racing, talk radio, or for staying tuned to your favorite types of music. Instant traffic and weather reports are being added and are now available for the top 20 metro areas, providing more in-depth information than what's available on AM.
NEXT - Driving the 2005 Saturn Ion