Ask the Car People.SM


Hyundai Sonata vs Chevrolet Malibu vs Saturn Aura

22 messages,  Last post on Nov 20, 2007 at 9:59 PM

You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 3

#6 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [phaetondriver] by tenpin288

Oct 17, 2007 (6:39 am)

Replying to: phaetondriver (Oct 16, 2007 11:04 pm)
My Aura has Electronic stability control, ABS on 4 disc brakes, Traction Control, and 8 Air bags: two up front, two on each side over the windows, and one in each front seat (outside edge of the seat backs) to protect the rib cage from side impacts
 
1. The "two" side curtain air bags on each side are actually one large curtain on each side, giving you six airbags total in the Aura (source--Saturn's own website information on the Aura)
 
2. The Sonata has all those plus Active Head Restraints for protection in rear collisions (source: http://hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/sonata/safety/safety.aspx)
 
Have a nice day!

#7 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [joe97] by robert1955

Oct 17, 2007 (7:57 am)

Replying to: joe97 (Oct 17, 2007 6:30 am)
There is no 4cyl option in the Aura. I was looking at a XE but ended up with my Sonata after looking at the bottom line between both cars and the final prices.

#8 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [robert1955] by joe97

Oct 17, 2007 (8:04 am)

Replying to: robert1955 (Oct 17, 2007 7:57 am)
Starting 2008 model-year, GM came out with the 4 cyclinder option:
 
http://media.gm.com/us/saturn/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_aura/index.html

#9 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [tenpin288] by phaetondriver

Oct 17, 2007 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Oct 17, 2007 6:39 am)
So the Sonata has the ribcage air bags in the front seats too.
Great, I didn't know that. I was told that was a Saturn only thing. Those lying salesmen.
 
I personally don't buy a car because it has been Ralph Nadered to the nth degree. Fact is I have built my own car and it doesn't have seat belts. No bumpers, No airbags, certainly no 4-banger under the hood. It does have 4 doors.
Does 0-60 in 5 seconds and gives other motorists whiplash.

#10 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [joe97] by robert1955

Oct 17, 2007 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Oct 17, 2007 8:04 am)
Thanks for the correction. I had forgotten about the Green Line. So the Aura did have a 4cyl in 2007.

#11 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [phaetondriver] by flc2006

Oct 17, 2007 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: phaetondriver (Oct 17, 2007 7:31 pm)
The Sonata 3.3 V6 and 2.4 4cylinder scored very well on the consumer reports test, plus the current sonata has been reconmended for two years, the Saturn Aura XR was given a score of 70, the Sonata V6 had of score of 76, the 4cylinder Sonata was 74, The 2007 Aura XE V6 had a score of 62. The Hyundai name is a good one in my opinion, GM cars are alright.

#12 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [joe97] by csandste

Oct 17, 2007 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Oct 17, 2007 8:04 am)
I have an 05 Malibu Maxx and my wife drives an 07 Optima. The Optima's platform is closer to the Elantra but it shares a power train with the Sonata.
 
1. The Optima has a quieter engine than the Maxx, however I like the 3.5 ohv v-6. Compared to Hyunkia, the Maxx has a far less expensive maintenance schedule due to its OLM. With the Optima (or Sonata), I've got to stick to 3000 mile oil changes for the severe cycle in order to keep the 100K warranty in place. Thankfully the new Hyunkia/Chrysler-Mitsu (sort of) engine doesn't have a timing belt. Replacing that on my 01 Elantra was expensive.
 
2. Because of the electric steering on the 'Bu, the Optima is a better handling car. It has 17 inch Michelins. Better handling means rougher riding and much more expensive tires. Once you get used to the electric steering it's not that bad however (like lots of 04-06 'Bu buyers I've had to replace the steering column-- is the rack next?). The electric steering (na in 2007+) really helps in the mileage department. The Maxx gets slightly better gas mileage than my Optima-- which is still breaking in (Hyunkia engines are notoriously slowly improve mileage).
 
3. The Optima has a much more attractive electroluminescent instrument panel than the 'Bu, Saturn or Hyundai for that matter. However I prefer the Maxx in the comfort department. I think the Sonata is more comfortable than the Optima, unlike the last generation they're not at all the same car.
 
4. I recently rented an HHR and liked the four cylinder engine which got better mileage than the V6 Maxx or the Optima. Even though I like the 3.5 six, I've got to say that I think Chevy and Saturn are wise to ramp up four cylinder production in 08.
 
5. GM cars (I assume Saturn as well as Chevy) have much better thought out drivers information centers. For some inexplicable reason Kia doesn't include a MPG computer. I don't think the Sonata has two trip meters: business trips and MPG computation anyone? I think some of these short comings will be corrected, at least in the Optima, in 08. I was really impressed with the HHR's DIC, including two mpg comps, tire pressure (I assume all GM cars have it in 2007+?).
 
I'm sorry I didn't drive the Saturn. It seemed pleasant when I sat in it, but I was able to get an Optima with appearance group and leather for sixteen thousand, the same as my Maxx LS. Don't think I could get a Saturn for that money at least when I made the purchase.
 
My Hyundais and Kias have been slightly more reliable than my recent Chevy's but I'm still happy with the Maxx despite laying out a thousand for the steering column. On the other hand, I had to pay about $800 for a sixty thousand mile check on my Elantra. With no timing belt, I'd expect the Optima to cost less.
 
Up until my last experience I would have put GM dealers ahead of Hyunkia (I haven't had my Optima back to the dealer and had some real sleaze issues with my Elantra). Since my Chevy dealer has moved into new haunts they seem more agressive in pushing services and I had to fight my way out of there to keep several 100K major items from being performed at 40,000. That plus all of the pushed injection cleanings, etc.
 
Styling is subjective. I think both the Optima and Sonata are attractive cars but less distinctive than their predecessors. I don't like the Malibu sedan but (apart from the front clip), do kind of like the rear of my Maxx. I think the Saturn is one of the better looking cars out there (especially the exterior). Haven't seen the new 'Bu yet, but am a bit disturbed by the c-pillar and rear clip. Looks a bit mid-nineties Diamante. I'm sure detail is much improved over the present car, however.
 
If forced to choose one, I'd probably take my Maxx over the Optima because of maintenance, comfort and utility (give me a large hatch, PLEASE!)
 
On balance, I suspect that both the Sonata and the GM cars are fairly well matched. I think many of the comments on earlier posts are a bit strident. I'm glad that everyone seems to like their cars, however.

#13 of 22 Re: 2008 Sonata VS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura [robert1955] by joe97

Oct 17, 2007 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: robert1955 (Oct 17, 2007 7:54 pm)
GM should have offered I-4 in the Aura at launch, IMO. Now offered at 2008 model year, better late than never, as they say.

#14 of 22 I own a hyundai product. by flc2006

Oct 17, 2007 (10:47 pm)

I have a Hyundai to keep my warranty intact i just follow the basic maintenance schedule every 6 months of 7,500 which ever comes first, i told the hyundai rep that i do mixed driving so i qualify for the standard maintenance schedule.

#15 of 22 Saturn Aura by steelerman

Oct 18, 2007 (8:20 am)

I have not driven either of the other cars yet. The '08 Malibu isn't out yet (the car I was waiting for) and I would not consider buying any non-American cars. My dad worked for GM for 30 years so I get a big discount. So that leaves my decision with the Malibu or the Aura. I drove the Aura a week ago and was very impressed with everything about it. I ended up getting an '07 Aura XR loaded for $22.8K plus ttl. It looks great, drives great, has great performance, and inexpensive. My co-worker bought a Lexus recently and she keeps saying, "My Lexus doesn't have heated seats", My Lexus doesn't have XM Radio or On Star", "My Lexus doesn't have remote start", etc... She also thinks they look a lot a like too - well they are both the same color!
Bottom line: I am glad I didn't wait for the Malibu and I look for excuses to drive my new Aura XR.

Messages Page 2 of 3

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement