2001SaturnL-SeriesSaturn L-Series2001 Saturn LW300 WagonWagonWagonFWDWillmington, DEThe Saturn L-Series sedans and wagons didn't exactly set the world on fire when they were introduced in 2000, but they return for 2001 virtually unchanged. Saturn has addressed safety concerns by making front and rear head curtain airbags optional on all trim levels. All sedans are now equipped with a three-point seatbelt in the rear center seat, but this feature is still not available in wagons. Later in the model year, sedans will get an emergency trunk release handle. New colors include Cream White, Bright Silver, Silver Blue and Straight Shade Black. Bright White, Silver, Silver Plum and Blackberry have been discontinued.Extremely competitive pricing for this segment, customer-focused dealers, strong powerplant with V6, wagon availability.Build quality from the Jurassic Period, ultra-conservative styling, lack of established service and repair history.While Saturn enjoys strong customer loyalty with its line of small cars (almost 50 percent return to buy another Saturn), GM researchers found that when owners move on, they most often move up to a midsize vehicle. So a medium-sized entry makes perfect sense for both Saturn and its loyal customer base. Enter the Saturn L-Series, American-built Opel-based sedans and wagons designed and priced to compete with top imports such as Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord. With an overall length of just over 190 inches, the L-Series slots nicely between the segment-leading Camry Sedan and the Ford Taurus. Saturn has changed the L-Series trim level nomenclature slightly for 2001 to avoid confusion with the S-Series model names. Available as base L100, midlevel L200 or top-line L300 Sedans as well as fully equipped LW200 or upmarket LW300 Wagons, all models include air conditioning, four-wheel independent suspension, theft-deterrent system, and front disc/rear drum brakes (disc/disc standard on the 300 models; ABS with traction control is optional). Inside, the L-Series features a spacious interior with logical, easy-to-use controls. Seats have been designed for all-day comfort. Sedans offer 17.5 cubic feet of trunk space, which is about 3.5 cubic feet more than you'll find in either Camry or Accord. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity in the wagon is 79 cubic feet - this is 10 more cubic feet than the Subaru Legacy wagon offers and 2 cubic feet less than the Taurus wagon's capacity. Unlike other Saturns, the L-Series has steel quarter panels (remember, this is built off an Opel platform); nevertheless, engineers were able to fit Saturn's signature dent-resistant polymer panels for the doors and fenders. We're hoping that Saturn will take more care in the assembly of its L-Series cars, as 2000 models suffered widely from ill-fitting panels and wavy plastic bodywork. A pair of DOHC four-valve engines are offered: a Saturn-exclusive 2.2-liter, 137-horsepower four-cylinder with twin balance shafts, and a 3.0-liter, 182-horse V6. The four is standard on L100, L200 and LW200 and comes with a five-speed manual transmission. An electronically controlled four-speed automatic is optional. The V6 is available only in the L300 and LW300 and must be mated to an auto-box. Though the mandatory automatic may not please sport sedan/wagon wannabes, we've found this transmission to be quite savvy - it never picks the wrong gear. Saturn wanted the L-Series suspension to provide a balance between a smooth ride and European-like handling - this balance holds up until the car is pushed on rough or undulating roads. And while our editors have praised the responsive steering feel in the past, we've also noted that response becomes sluggish during spirited driving on canyon roads. A head curtain airbag system - for both front and rear passengers - has been added to the option list for all 2001 L-Series cars. When electronic sensors along the sides of the vehicle detect an impact, the bag drops from the roof rail and unfolds as it inflates. Saturn says that the system will help reduce the severity of head and neck injuries incurred by occupants involved in side-impact crashes. While we approve of this timely safety upgrade (timely indeed, since the 2000 L-Series earned a "poor" rating in the "side impact front" category) we would still like Saturn to add seat-mounted side airbags to protect against torso injuries. We're pleased to see that Saturn has added a three-point seatbelt for the rear center passenger in its L-Series sedan, but we don't understand why the wagons were denied this important safety feature. Saturn claims that its L-Series wagons compete against offerings from Volvo, Subaru, Volkswagen and Audi, but all of these brands offer a standard three-point belt in the center of the rear seat. Unquestionably, a fully loaded L-Series car offers excellent dollar value (though you will pay the no-haggle MSRP regardless of demand) when compared with similarly equipped Accords, Camrys and Passats - but the Saturn doesn't meet its peers' established standards for build quality and interior materials. Decide whether you're willing to make these concessions before you buy. Ford TaurusMercury SableSubaru LegacyVolkswagen Passat336,000336,000336,0006100,000NANANA63 litersV6182 hp @ 5600 rpm190 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm190.4 in.69 in.57.3 in.3230 lbs.106.5 in.39.3 in.39.6 in.55.7 in.56.1 in.51.7 in.54 in.42.3 in.34.7 in.29.4 cu.ft.OptionalStandardOptionalOptionalNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableRating = GoodRating = GoodPoorGoodAcceptableGood17.9 gal.20 mpg / 26 mpg358 mi. / 465 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$19,651$21,3607.35%$500N/A3% of the Total MSRPL100 SEDAN (5M): 2.2L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 525 amp battery; 96 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.50 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent strut suspension with rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 17.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual remote body-colored outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P195/65TR15 BSW touring tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, 8 speakers, fixed antenna; child safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's footrest, smoker's package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, driver's and passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, chrome interior accents; interior lights include dome light with delay; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver'sand passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; grille with chrome bar, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
L200 SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of L100 SEDAN (5M) equipment): 525 amp battery with run down protection; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated outside mirrors; single CD player, 8 speakers; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2 stage unlock, remote keyless entry; panic alarm, security system; power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down; center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment; simulated wood dashboard insert; interior lights include front reading lights, illuminated entry; driver's side illuminated vanity mirror; locking glove box with light and front and rear cupholders.
L300 SEDAN (4A) (in addition to or instead of L200 SEDAN (5M) equipment): 3L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 3.29 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport ride suspension; 4-wheel disc brakes; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 15" x 6" silver alloy wheels; P205/65HR15 BSW performance tires; cassette player, single CD player, auto equalizer; driver's seat includes lumbar support; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with fixed headrests; premium cloth seats, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood console insert; interior lights include front and rear reading lights; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment and dual illuminated vanity mirrors.
LW200 WAGON (4A) (in addition to or instead of L200 SEDAN (5M) equipment): 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 3.29 axle ratio; roof rack; integrated roof antenna; fixed 1/4 vent windows; rear window wiper; simulated wood console insert; carpeted trunk lid, cargo cover and cargo net.
LW300 WAGON (4A) (in addition to or instead of L200 WAGON (5M) equipment): 3L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport ride suspension; 4-wheel disc brakes; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 15" x 6" silver alloy wheels; P205/65HR15 BSW performance tires; cassette player, single CD player, auto equalizer; driver's seat includes lumbar support; full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include front and rear reading lights; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment and dual illuminated vanity mirrors.