Detroit Auto Show 2005 DAVID'S PICKS
Best Production Car
Saturn Aura
$21,000 to $25,000
DAVID:
This is just what GM needs -- a high-volume car that looks good. The Aura midsize sedan has a bold, wide stance from the front that should give it real road presence when it goes on sale in early 2006. Inside, its fancy leather and chrome gauges give it panache that's well beyond the interiors of anything from GM's other divisions. The 3.6-liter, 250-horsepower V-6 should be plenty peppy, too. GM has focused lots of effort -- perhaps too much -- on putting out convertibles and low-volume sports cars for every division. Finally, a nice car for the masses.
KATIE:
No argument here. Its sibling, the Saturn Sky roadster is lovely. But while turning out a gorgeous roadster isn't such a stretch, designing a family sedan with eye appeal to sell to the masses is much tougher.
