2001 Saturn SL2 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Its upswept, mildly wedge-shaped body and clean, smooth surfaces continue to form Saturn's distinctive design. The style is only a year old and the exterior appearance is still fresh.

Since the beginning, S-Series sedans have had dent-resistant polymer body panels. These plastic body panels, bonded to a steel subframe, are flexible so that minor dings don't form lasting impressions. And they won't rust.

The reflector headlamps are designed to offer clear lighting at night. Taillamps have a contemporary wraparound look. Modern wheel designs help keep the appearance contemporary looking.

Interior Features

Last year's redesign went a long way in improving the functional but funky interior of the previous model. The current one is attractive and its styling reflects that of the exterior design.

The dash was designed to reduce squeaks and rattles. The instrument cluster provides useful information with a telltale display. The center console features storage for audio tapes, provisions for a six-disc CD changer and several cupholders. SL2 models include an armrest with fore-aft adjustment. The door panels offer additional storage space with a place for a 12-ounce soda can. Horn buttons are located in the center of the steering wheel and the cruise-control buttons are on the spokes.

Saturn S-Series sedans can seat five people, four comfortably.

SL1 and SL2 come fully trimmed in cloth, while the SL uses cloth and vinyl. Leather trim is available for the SL2 for $700, which includes a comfortable leather-wrapped steering wheel with contoured humps at the proper 10-and-2-o'clock hand positions. The gray leather in our SL2 was attractive and comfortable. Front seats offer built-in lumbar support as well as enough fore and aft seat travel to provide additional legroom for taller drivers.

Stereo performance is decent, but the small buttons make it a challenge to operate.

Reduced-force airbags are standard. Seatbelts include buckle and shoulder belt height adjusters that are easy to use. Top tether anchors for child safety seats are standard.

The power door locks have a system that won't let you lock the car with the key in the ignition. The horn complains if you try to lock the car with a door or the trunk lid open. The range of the keyless remote has been increased to 30 feet. Vandals and thieves are thwarted by an alarm that goes off if the doors or trunk are disturbed and an engine that won't start if the ignition is tampered with.

SL sedan trunk is big, but shallow, and offers 12.1 cubic feet of space. SW2 wagon offers nearly 25 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, more than 58 cubic feet with them folded down.