2001SaturnS-SeriesSaturn S-Series2001 Saturn SL SedanSedanSedanFWDGM is giving Saturns a major redesign in 2003. As such, the S-Series sees no change from last year, save for optional head-curtain airbags.Dealer sales and service experience, composite dent- and rust-resistant body panels.Poor seating position and comfort, flimsy interior materials, weak standard equipment list.Saturn's small cars have enjoyed quite a following over the years, proving both fun to drive and reliable. And Saturn dealers have almost single-handedly sparked a retail revolution that emphasizes the ownership experience over sales commissions. Unfortunately, we want more from Saturn, such as more comfortable seats and better quality switchgear and interior trim. Last year, Saturn freshened the looks of its SL Sedan and SW Wagon. The ding-, dent- and rust-resistant polymer exterior panels give SL and SW models a contour line that runs the length of the vehicle for an angular appearance. The SC Coupes come with a driver's-side third door, providing better access to the back seat. Inside, the small sedans and wagons have a one-piece instrument panel cover, ostensibly to eliminate miscolored plastic pieces and ill-fitting seams, but we still find fault with interior fit and finish. Some componentry from the L-Series cars are shared to reduce costs through parts commonality. The seating position is low to the floor, while the seats themselves feel too flimsy for long-haul comfort. Two engine choices are on the S-Series roster, a 100-horsepower, 1.9-liter four-cylinder or a twin-cam version of the same that generates 124 ponies, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed auto box. Allow us to suggest the twin-cam engine mated to the manual to make for a less-pedestrian sedan or wagon; they're a must if you plan on spirited driving. Rear drum brakes are standard on all models, with no option for disc brakes. Sedans can be had as a base SL, midrange SL1 or uplevel SL2; wagons are available as the standard SW1 or high-end SW2. Coupes come as the basic SC1 or sportier SC2. Be aware that the standard equipment list is short on all base versions and that features are not packaged well enough to sell you on the midrange models. That means you may be forced into pricey, high-end versions to get the kind of equipment you really want, which puts the price near or beyond such formidable opposition as the Nissan Sentra and the excellent Ford Focus. Packaging aside, if you're tired of the haggling quagmire, and you're pretty much set on the car and options you want, Saturn's excellent dealer network, money-back guarantee, customer-first philosophy and reputation for reliability are attractive selling points. But we'd recommend that you shop around - many econoboxes of yore have recently been vastly improved so as to not deserve such an ignominious title. Chevrolet CavalierHonda CivicKia SephiaToyota Corolla336,000336,000336,0006100,000NANANA41.9 litersInline100 hp @ 5000 rpm114 ft-lbs. @ 2400 rpm178.1 in.66.4 in.55 in.2332 lbs.102.4 in.39.3 in.38 in.53.9 in.53.1 in.49.2 in.50.2 in.42.5 in.32.8 in.12.1 cu.ft.OptionalStandardOptionalOptionalNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableRating = Very GoodRating = Very GoodAveragePoorAcceptableGood12.1 gal.29 mpg / 40 mpg27 mpg / 37 mpg351 mi. / 484 mi.327 mi. / 448 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.$9,936$10,5707.35%$465N/A3% of the Total MSRPSL SEDAN (5M): 1.9L I4 SOHC SMPI 8-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 525 amp battery; 90 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 4.06 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent strut suspension with rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering; power front disc/rear drum brakes; 12.1 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 black outside mirrors, driver's manual remote outside mirror, passenger's manual outside mirror; 14" x 5" steel wheels; P185/65SR14 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, 2 speakers, fixed antenna; child safety rear door locks, remote hatch/trunk release, remote fuel release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, smoker'spackage; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, trunk ajar, service interval; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and passenger's seat include 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; interior lights include dome light with fade; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; black side window moldings, black frontwindshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
SL1 SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of SL SEDAN (5M) equipment): Power rack-and-pinion steering; 4 speakers.
SL2 SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of SL1 SEDAN (5M) equipment): 1.9L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; sport ride suspension, rear independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar; power rack-and-pinion steering with vehicle speed-sensing assist; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P185/65TR15 BSW touring A/S tires; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; seating capacity of 5, adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, lumbar support; 1 seat back storage pocket and body-colored door handles.
SC1 COUPE (5M) (in addition to or instead of SL1 SEDAN (5M) equipment): Rear wing spoiler; single CD; seating capacity of 4, easy entry; rear console with storage, front and rear cupholders.
SC2 COUPE (5M) (in addition to or instead of SC1 COUPE (5M) equipment): 1.9L I4 DOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; sport ride suspension, rear independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar; power rack-and-pinion steering with vehicle speed-sensing assist; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels; P195/60HR15 BSW performance A/S tires; air conditioning; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2 stage unlock, remote keyless entry, power remote hatch/trunk release; panic alarm, security system; tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down; adjustable headrests, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, lumbar support; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; 1 seat back storage pocket and body-colored door handles.
SW2 WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of SL2 SEDAN (5M) equipment): Front and rear body-colored bumpers with rear step bumper; P185/65TR15 BSW touring A/S tires; tinted windows, fixed 1/4 vent windows; rear window wiper, cargo cover and cargo net.