The 2006 Saturn Ion is a modest, adequate, affordable little compact with a powerful engine for the price. But, cramped back seats, recurring steering issues, and cheap-feeling interior trim serve as a constant reminder that the short-lived nameplate’s main selling point was the low sticker price.
Is the 2006 Saturn Ion a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – It’s not exactly a lemon, but it’s not a hidden gem, either. The 2006 Saturn Ion is an adequate budget compact.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – All six of these points are for the front seat. Even your kids will find the back row cramped once their legs start growing.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and transmission are built to last. But after you pass 200,000 miles you’ll be making more and more trips to the dealer to replace electrical components.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test scores were mediocre on release, and the onboard safety tech is well outdated by now.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The base model gets 26/35 miles the gallon, city/highway, with a 5-speed manual transmission, which is about what you expect of a 2006 compact. That is to say, not bad.
- Value 7/10 – If you can find one in good condition for around $3,000, you’d be foolish to pass it up. If it’s selling for closer to $4,000, you’re better off looking for a 2006 Ford Focus.
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Saturn Ion?
Consumer Reports were never big fans of the Saturn Ion, and they found the changes made to this model to be too little too late. They note responsive braking and zippy acceleration as the sole positives, with the cheap-feeling, cramped interior and the underwhelming fuel economy among the leading negatives.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Saturn Ion a lukewarm 80% recommendation. Positive reviews note that the car is low-maintenance, fun to drive, agile, and speedy. Cheap finishing materials earned the most consistent criticisms, with chipping paint and flimsy plastic interior components showing their age by now.
Edmunds liked the low pricing of the Saturn Ion, the large trunk, the smooth ride, and the sharp cornering. They didn’t like the limited legroom or the awkward instrument layout, and they added to consensus that the trim materials are pretty shoddy.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Saturn Ion Have?
The 2016 Saturn Ion has 1,232 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This number is a bit high for a car of this age, and is inflated largely by 543 steering complaints, with drivers reporting loss of power steering, despite a 2014 recall intended to address the issue.
Electrical complaints take a close second place with 390 reports on file. Drivers report difficulty pulling the key out of the ignition while in park, despite three 2014 recalls intended to address the issue.
These issues sound worrying, but on the upside, powertrain and engine complaints are relatively scarce for a car of this age, so most of the issues you’re going to be dealing with will be electrical rather than mechanical.
The 2006 Saturn Ion has 6 recalls on file in total, with half of these being for the ignition problem.
How Long Will the 2006 Saturn Ion Last?
Drivers typically report a minimum mileage of 200,000 before the Saturn Ion’s problems become too expensive to bother fixing. The transmission and engine will go a very long time with regular maintenance, but electrical issues may add up until they’re not worth the expense at a certain point.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $338, far below average. The most expensive common fixes include new rack and pinion systems starting at around $651, and new HVAC air door actuators at $632.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2006 Saturn Ion is decent for the model year. CD players come standard, and the high-end models come with MP3 players, which you couldn’t always find back then.
Safety features are adequate for the model year. Anti-lock brakes are included in the higher trims, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Is the 2006 Saturn Ion a Good Value?
The 2006 Saturn Ion is a pretty fair value. The fair market range goes from around $2,557 to $4,768, with an Ion 2 typically listing at around $4,195 with just 130,000 miles on the odometer.
It’s definitely a budget car. The interior is a bit cramped, the trim materials feel cheap, and onboard tech is pretty basic. But, it’s fuel efficient and low-maintenance, making it well worth the price if you can find one in good condition for under four grand.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Saturn Ion?
The 2006 Saturn Ion is offered in three trim levels, the Ion 2, the Ion 3, and the Redline.
With the base Ion 2 you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- CD player with 4 speakers
- Engine immobilizing theft-deterrent system
- Power windows and door locks
The mid-range Ion 3 adds:
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- Premium cloth seating
- Fog lights
Finally, the top-of-the-line Redline model features:
- Leather accented Recaro bucket seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Cruise control
- MP3 player
What Engines Come In the 2006 Saturn Ion?
- The Ion 2 and Ion 3 come with a 2.2L inline-four engine delivering 140 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 24/32 in the 4-speed automatic models, or 26/35 in the 5-speed manual edition. All 2006 Ions are configured in front wheel drive.
- Ion 3 models are offered with a 2.4L i4 delivering 170 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering 22/32 miles to the gallon when paired with a manual transmission, and 21/29 with an automatic.
- In the Redline edition you’re getting a 2.0L i4 delivering 205 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 23/29 MPG in the manual, and 24/32 in the automatic.
What Colors Does the 2006 Saturn Ion Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Saturn Ion?
The front seats of the 2006 Saturn Ion are fairly comfortable, although taller passengers may find the leg room a bit short. The suspension has held up well over the years and the ride is nice and smooth. The back seat is a bit tight, at just 49 inches of hip room and scarcely enough leg room for larger children.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Saturn Ion Have?
The 2006 Saturn Ion offers up 14 cubic feet of trunk space, or 15 cubic feet in the hatchback. This is about on par with a typical compact car released in 2006. You should be able to pack 5 or 6 medium-sized suitcases in the back with no issue.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2006 Saturn Ion was the third model year in the nameplate’s first and only generation, running from 2003 to 2007.
2003: The Ion was introduced in a quad coupe body with a 2.2L EcoTec i4 engine delivering a respectable 140 horsepower.
2004: Some tweaks under the hood improved the Ion’s steering for 2004, but the car still has a lot of steering complaints on file with the NHTSA.
2005: Saturn swapped the 5-speed automatic transmission out with a one-speed CVT for 2005.
2006: The Ion 3-exclusive 170 horsepower 2.4L i4 engine was introduced for 2006.
2007: No major changes for the Ion’s final model year, but the engineers at Saturn did manage to squeeze an extra 5 horsepower out of the base engine.
How Does the 2006 Saturn Ion Compare to the Competition?
The 2006 Saturn Ion fares better against comparable budget cars than did previous models. From trim to trim, it’s a little more powerful than the Hyundai Elantra, and about as fuel-efficient in the same price range. But, the Elantra is a little more spacious and the interior is a little more high-end (though still budget-quality).
It’s the same story with the 2006 Ford Focus. From trim to trim, the Ion is a little more powerful and a little less comfortable for about the same price. But, the Focus is available in a 151 horsepower ST model, which is the most powerful model of these three, while still listing for under four thousand bucks.
When it comes to budget cars, it often comes down to whatever you can find in good shape. But, if you want the best value for your money, an ST Ford Focus is the most power and the most comfort you’re going to get for the price.
