We do not like the front seats. They are on small, narrow and short, and lack side support in the seat bottom and seat back. Arm rests have been added to Ion 2 and Ion 3 trim levels for 2004, which may be helpful.
Forward visibility is inhibited by thick A-pillars in front, while 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.
Thanks to the high roofline, however, passengers in all four seats enjoy decent headroom. Rear passengers benefit from slightly elevated (theater) seating, as the rear seats are mounted two inches higher than the front seats, offering an improved view. Rear-seat legroom is adequate, and the front seats have longer-than-normal adjustment rails, so short front-seat passengers can slide them well forward. This also means a taller person can enjoy even greater leg room in front as long as there are no passengers in the rear.
The coupe and the sedan feature a big trunk. The sedan's trunk is little larger than the coupe's. With a capacity of nearly 15 cubic feet, and a practical shape, the Ion sedan's trunk is as big any in its segment and is as big as those in many mid-size cars.
Safety features include dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags and optional head-curtain side-impact airbags for improved head protection for front- and rear-seat passengers. The Ion has received five-star/five-star ratings, the highest attainable, in the federal government's crash tests. We recommend the optional ABS and traction control.
OnStar, GM's security and information service, is optional ($695) and 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 and other assistance. OnStar always knows the exact location of your vehicle. The staff will notify authorities of your location if your airbag goes off and you do not respond to their calls, dispatching rescue crews to the scene. Or you can press the emergency button and they'll send out the troops. They can unlock your doors if you lock the keys inside. They can direct you to the nearest gas station or help find a good restaurant or motel. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover. To get OnStar, you must also order the Travel Package ($200), which includes a map light, outside temperature gauge, compass, and auto-dimming inside mirror, all useful features.
The optional CD player ($290) features big buttons and knobs to control audio functions. All stereo systems should be ergonomically designed this well. An MP3 player can be added as well. A nice in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 capability is also available. Sound quality and equalization have been improved on 2004 Ion models.
XM Satellite Radio ($325) is available on Ion 2 and 3. It's 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 and sports broadcasts, or for staying tuned into your favorite types of music (classical, jazz, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s). Next Page