The 2007 Saturn Ion is a functional, basic, budget-priced daily driver. Standard features are skimpy and the back seat is cramped. But maintenance is dirt cheap, and the Red Line model is something of a cult favorite, a sporty, low-maintenance trooper with prices starting under $4,000.
Is the 2007 Saturn Ion a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The Ion 2 and 3 are a solid 7/10. The 8/10 is for the Red Line, which delivers a sportier driving experience than you expect for the price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Ion cabins are cheap-feeling and cramped, but the suspension is sound, and trunk space is adequate for a compact car.
- Reliability 7/10 – The 2007 Ion is cheap to maintain, but you shouldn’t expect to get more than 200,000 miles out of the original transmission.
- Safety 6/10 – Crash test ratings are mediocre at best, and standard safety features are sparse.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 –A base model gets 26/35 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is better than you’ll get from some compacts coming out in 2023.
- Value 8/10 – The Red Line edition might be the best deal you’re going to find on a sporty little compact. As for the Ion 2 and 3, they’re cheap, but you get what you pay for.
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Saturn Ion?
Consumer Reports praised the redesigned Saturn Ion for its quick acceleration and strong brakes, but note that it ultimately fails to correct the shortcomings of earlier models. They report that the car is noisy with a cramped, cheap-feeling interior, and it’s less fuel-efficient than you’d guess from the size.
Kelley Blue Book liked the Ion’s modernized exterior design with its handsome grille, calling it a fuel-efficient commuter with an appealing, intuitive control layout. They note that the Ion is pretty skimpy on interior features, despite improvements over previous models.
Edmunds liked the low pricing of the Saturn Ion, as well as the large trunk, and they were impressed by the high-performance Red Line model. They didn’t like the cramped legroom in the back or the cheap-feeling interior trim, and they found the instrumentation layout awkward.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Saturn Ion Have?
The 2007 Saturn Ion has generated 866 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around half of these are for issues with the steering, with drivers reporting the power steering going out despite a recall issued in 2014.
212 electrical complaints point to ignition issues, with drivers reporting that the key may remain stuck in the slot after turning the vehicle off. Ignition problems have resulted in three recalls, the last in 2014, with complaints still rolling in as late as 2022.
There are 78 fuel system complaints on file, with drivers reporting a strong gasoline odor in the cabin. The car was recalled in 2009 for a fuel leak, and again in 2012 for a broken fuel pump module, but complaints have persisted as late as October, 2022.
The 2007 Ion has been recalled 7 times in total, which is on the higher end of the median for a sedan this old.
How Long Will the 2007 Saturn Ion Last?
Saturn Ion drivers regularly report the car surpassing 200,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. With excellent care there’s no reason an Ion can’t shoot right past a quarter million miles, but you’ll have to be on the lookout for excessive wear and tear from previous owners.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $338, which is remarkably low. The most expensive common fixes include new control arms starting at $649, and anti-lock brake control module replacements at $461.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Saturn Ion is pretty basic, even by 2007 standards. The entry-level model packs a CD player, and the Red Line model includes an MP3. That’s about as fancy as it gets.
Safety technology in the 2007 Ion is pretty skimpy. The Red Line model includes anti-lock brakes, but the lower trims don’t even offer ABS as an option.
Is the 2007 Saturn Ion a Good Value?
The 2007 Saturn Ion is a decent value. An entry-level sedan typically sells for around $4,483, while a Red Line coupe is barely more expensive, at just $4,716, with a fair market range stretching from $3,512 to $5,141.
It’s a question is what you’re getting for the price. Standard features are pretty sparse, but the car is fuel-efficient, and it’s dirt-cheap to maintain, and the Red Line is sort of a hidden gem if you want a sporty car at a rock bottom price.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Saturn Ion?
The 2007 Saturn Ion is available in two body types, sedan and coupe, and three trim levels, from the base Ion 2 to the high-end Red Line. Before you ask, no, there’s no Ion 1.
With the entry-level Ion 2 you’re getting:
- CD player
- Cloth seating
- Power door locks
The mid-range Ion 3 adds:
- Premium cloth seating
- Remote keyless entry
- CD/MP3 player
- Cruise control
- Power windows
The performance-oriented Red Line edition features:
- Leather seating
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
What Engines Come In the 2007 Saturn Ion?
- The standard engine found in the 2007 Saturn Ion is a 2.2L inline-four delivering 145 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 26/35 miles to the gallon. The Ion 3 is available with an Enhanced Performance package that brings the 2.2L up to 175 horsepower and 164 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Red Line models come packed with a supercharged 2.0L i4 engine delivering 205 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 22/30 miles to the gallon. The Red Line does zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2007 Saturn Ion Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Saturn Ion?
The 2007 Saturn Ion is comfortable enough up front, but the back seats feel a bit tight at just under 50 inches across. The car offers a little more head and leg room than you’d guess from outside, but that’s not saying much. On the other hand, the suspension has held up well over the years.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Saturn Ion Have?
The 2007 Ion taps out at just over 14 cubic feet of trunk space. That’s enough for four or five medium sized suitcases, but anything more than that will be a tight fit.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2007 Saturn Ion was the fifth and final model year in the car’s brief five-year, single-generation run, from 2003 to 2007.
2003: The Ion debuted with an Ecotec i4 engine, available in coupe and sedan body styles.
2004: New interior trim materials were added for 2004, and the car got an MP3 player.
2005: Steering and suspension were revised for 2005.
2006: Legroom was improved for 2006 thanks to a redesigned center dash.
2007: The Ion was set to be replaced by the Astra hatchback for 2008, so Saturn didn’t bother making any major changes to the car for its final model year.
How Does the 2007 Saturn Ion Compare to the Competition?
At a glance, the 2007 Saturn Ion is a fairly mediocre vehicle, but the Ion 2 and 3 are among the most affordable budget cars on the market, and the Red Line is surprisingly fun to drive, with a small but devoted fan base.
The Honda Civic generally reigns supreme as the leading compact, but 2007 was a rare clunker year for the iconic car, with lower-than-usual reliability ratings and a price tag a couple grand higher than the Ion.
You can’t go wrong with a Toyota Corolla, on the other hand. The Corolla sells in roughly the same price range as the Ion with a far more generous list of standard features and Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability.
The 2007 Saturn Ion comes up short in direct competition with the Corolla, but the Red Line is something of a hidden gem, a sporty little compact at a budget-car price. If you can get a good deal on one, don’t pass it up.
