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Saturn ION

2005-07 models

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Acceptable

Structure/safety cage	Injury measures				Restraints/dummy kinematics
Structure/safety cage	Head/neck	Chest	Leg/foot, left	Leg/foot, right	Restraints/dummy kinematics

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

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Test details:

The Saturn ION was introduced in the 2003 model year as a replacement for the SL. The size of the steering wheel was increased beginning with 2005 models and its number of spokes was increased from two to four. Also, the driver airbag deployment characteristics were changed slightly.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. Also during the impact, the steering wheel broke off from the column.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. High head accelerations occurred when the dummy's head hit both the steering wheel through the airbag and the B-pillar, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.
Late in the crash test, the steering wheel broke off from its column. None of the dummy injury measures appeared to be adversely affected by this breakage.
Forces on the lower right leg were high enough to indicate the possibility of injury.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags (optional)
Antilock brakes (optional)
Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

2005 Saturn ION 2 4-door
Class: Small car
Weight: 2,787 lbs.
Side airbags: none
Wheelbase: 103 in.
Length: 184 in.
Width: 67 in.
Engine: 2.2 L 4-cylinder
EPA ratings: 24 mpg city | 32 mpg highway

See all test results for Saturn ION

Last updated: October 6, 2006