Although George Braque, the father of Cubism, died in 1963, his influence on the interior design of the instrument panel of the Saturn Ion is rather pronounced (whether any of the people responsible for it are aware of that fact or not).  This should not be interpreted as a statement that it is dated.  Quite the contrary.  But the number of surfaces, angles, joints, ovals, and their juxtaposition and placement are unlike the ordinary vehicle exterior.  Sure, there is the center-mounted instrument cluster that allows a straight-ahead view over an expanse of textured polymer to the roadway rather than one interrupted by the speedo and whatnot.  And this cluster positioning is one that is rather easy to adapt to.  But somehow, the way that the pieces all come together—and the number of pieces involved—is too much for someone who, perhaps, would not fit the Gen-Xer or late Gen-Yer that the vehicle seems to be targeted toward (at least if the actors in the TV commercials are to be taken as models for the people who are likely to roll in an Ion).  Given the price point of the vehicle I drove—with $2,355 worth of options and destination of $565—at $18,830, that is a reasonable target.*  I suspect that in cold weather, there are a few too many individual pieces for there not to be some rattles coming from the IP.

HOWEVER (yes, a big change is coming), what is more than slightly puzzling is the fact that the commercials show that there are more than two reasonably sized adults in the sedan.  And I've got to say that the Ion has rear-seat legroom that is best suited for those who are under 6 years old.  Period.  Although I am about 5-ft, 8-in., the comfortable placement of the driver's seat would make anyone sitting behind me exceedingly uncomfortable, as they'd undoubtedly start gnawing on their kneecaps.

But I think I know why there is so little room back there.  And the reason is a good one.  Although the deck lid seems rather demure, in point of fact, the space inside the trunk is truly useful (14.7-ft³).  One of the problems with many compact is that their trunks are just too puny for even the slightest hint of utility.  That is certainly not the case with the Ion, and it scores points for that.

One of the historic knocks on Saturn is the volume of the engine noise.  The 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine (140 hp) does a reasonable job—and provides great gas mileage (I hit 35 mpg driving down I-75 from Detroit to Cincinnati).  And while running, it is about as loud as one would expect for a car in its class.  Yet at startup, it sounded as is I was cranking something built by Mack.

One of the features that is most notable—and laudable—is the electric-assist for the rack-and-pinion steering.  In fact, this may be the single best feature of the Ion.  While some people may think that small cars are easy to maneuver, while that is true in a relative sense (e.g., compared to pulling into a parking spot with, say, an Avalanche, the Ion is a breeze), it is still exceedingly nice to have the electrical boost at low speed, such as pulling into a tight spot, that the electric steering system provides.  (The system is most active at low speeds; when driving at highway speeds, it would be far too twitchy if it was as lively.)  Some people have criticized the Ion for having a smaller-than-the-norm-diameter steering wheel: 13.8-in.  (I don't know if there is a norm, but it is one of those things that you just seem to know when it isn't as it should be.)  But combined with the electric steering, the pair is great.  However, I will admit that when I first got behind the wheel and pulled out of a parking space I let loose with a wide-eyed expletive, as the steering was so responsive that I had to adjust my approach.  Once that was accomplished, I was won over.

* One thing about the options.  I can recall when I bought my '94 SL sedan and was provided with "free" floor mats.  The line item shows $80 now.  Since I don't recall what any of the floor mats cost before or after that '94, it is evident that the memory of Saturn's "value" is something that stuck in my head.  Too bad it seems as though it is no longer the case.