Like its cousins, the Saturn Aura has a relatively long wheelbase, and GM’s Vice President of Design, Ed Welburn, suggests that it is this trait that allows the Aura to carry such attractive body proportions.

With this midsize sedan based on the same Epsilon platform that carries the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6, the goal is to present a “contemporary and upscale image,” according to GM designers. Those same designers point to the jeweled headlights, and styling that was characterized as fluid…and muscular…and powerful. What that boils down to is a Saturn model that looks more substantial than those we’ve seen in the past, complete with a bigger body (though, thanks to the longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs), steel body panels rather than the usual plastic, fender flares, and big chrome wheels. A chrome mesh grille accents the look, along with a multi-panel sunroof as seen on the Pontiac G6, small hood ducts, a trapezoidal center exhaust outlet, and an understated rear spoiler.