2003 Saturn ION Overview

Looking for a Used ION in your area?

CarGurus has 2,067 nationwide ION listings starting at $3,208.

2: 21 GOOD Deals; Avg. Price: $5,578

3: 18 GOOD Deals; Avg. Price: $5,659

3 Coupe: 2 GOOD Deals; Avg. Price: $6,019

Base: 8 GOOD Deals; Avg. Price: $5,113

Coupe: 11 national listings; Avg. Price: $5,773

Used Saturn ION Red Line 63 listings

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Average User Score

3.6 ⁄ 5 stars

Based on 19 reviews

Awesome Car by Kaylynn

— This car is awesome! not only is it awesome looking, but it performs extremely well. its easy to handle and i like that the brakes arent touchy like most models out there. its only needed minor repair... Read More

Saturn Makes A Great Car by Michelle

— It drives nice. It looks really good. It really is a SHARP looking car! It gets GREAT gas mileage. I can go to work and home for a week on a quarter tank of gas. This car is fun to drive. Read More

Runs Like A Dream by Leah

— Good interior, good for short people, spacious for it's size, lots of trunk space. Read More

2003 Saturn ION Overview

Overall User Score

3.6⁄5

Based on 19 reviews

After a long and successful run, Saturn decided to replace the S-Series with the Ion in 2003.  The new model gave loyal Saturn consumers a roomier, sportier, and more powerful version of what they had come to expect over the years.  As in previous Saturns, the 2003 Saturn Ion used polymer based panels to minimize scratches and dents.  In addition, the car operates with a 2.2 L, 140 hp engine, an improvement from the 1.9 L and 124 hp in the most powerful S-Series trims.

The 2003 Saturn Ion comes in 5 different trims: Sedan 1, Sedan 2, Sedan 3, Coupe 2, and Coupe 3.  All trims have standard 5 speed manual transmission with optional ABS brakes and traction control.  The sedans have optional 5 speed automatic while the coupes offer optional continuously variable transmission (CVT; see earlier Saturn VUE models).  In addition, all trims give you 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.  The coupes seat 4 and the sedans seat 5.  Other innovations include 4 doors on the coupes and trunk space in the sedans that has increased almost 2.5 cubic feet from the S-Series.

Overall, consumers agree that the 2003 Saturn Ion represents an upgrade from the S-Series.  However, many wonder whether Saturn did too little too late.  Occasionally rough handling, road noise, and internal vibrations detract from the driving experience while hurting Saturn's initial position against competitors such as the Civic and the Corolla.  Like Chicago Cubs fans, Saturn consumers would have to wait til next year for the home team to come through in the clutch.

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Looking for a Used ION in your area?

CarGurus has 2,067 nationwide ION listings starting at $3,208.

	2003 Saturn ION	2004 Saturn ION Red Line	2003 Saturn VUE

Cost	$4,932 Average Instant Market Value	$7,491 Average Instant Market Value	$5,975 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway)	30	26	26
Horsepower	140	205	143
Crash Test Rating	5	5	5
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)	14.7		30.8
Front Leg Room (inches)	42.2	42.2	41.2