If it is image you are after, the Saturn Sky is as strikingly stylish as they come, and makes a clear sporty statement wherever you go. Now entering its third year, it is still very much current in both looks and performance, and in these days of obsession with fuel economy, it may just be the antidote without forking out big bucks for a European model. However GM’s sporty offering has struggled with a tag of unreliability since it was introduced, and this has let the sales down considerably in favor of other high-quality offerings in its class like the Mazda Miata. The top-shelf Red Line performance-enhanced model reaches a little closer towards these competitors, with its turbocharged direct injected engine, and super sporty styling. Let’s hope for some engine tweakings in the coming year to address some of the reliability issues, and the Saturn Sky will be a real force to be reckoned with.
2009 Saturn Sky Performance
The baseline 2009 Saturn Sky features a 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder Ecotec engine that produces 173hp and 167lb-ft of torque. It is not spectacularly powerful, but GM claims it reaches 60mph in 7.2 seconds which is quite acceptable for a sports car. Variable Valve Timing is included for engine efficiency and fuel economy, and five-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter is standard. Five-speed automatic transmission is also available. The Saturn Sky sits on a purpose-built chassis, giving it enough rigidity that has the nimble handling of a sports car. Power rack and pinion hydraulic steering adds to this for maximum agility and minimum body roll around corners, helped by the standard 18inch wheels. Braking ability is the best in its class, and the Goodyear Eagle high performance tires provide superior road-gripping ability.
The Red Line is a different story altogether, with its Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine which churns out an impressive 260hp and 260lb-ft of torque. It reaches 60mph in just 5.8 seconds. The Red Line features sport suspension which stiffens the ride considerably but gives it a far superior sporty feel. Direct fuel injection gives increased fuel efficiency by producing a more complete burn of fuel/air, and in the Red Line results in fuel economy roughly the same as the much less powerful base model at 19/25mpg city/highway compared to 19/28mpg for the base model.
2009 Saturn Sky Interior and Features
One of the main criticisms of the Saturn Sky is its clumsy manually-operated convertible cloth soft-top which requires the driver to be standing outside the car to unlatch the front pegs, press a button in the glove box, manually fold the top and close the lid. The trunk is also operated from outside and strangely opens up rearward to make access very awkward.
Aside from these issues, the interior is surprisingly spacious for such a small car, with comfortable and supportive seats, full power accessories and seven-speaker 225-watt stereo system. In the Premium Trim package comes leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel which features audio controls, steel pedal covers and chrome accents on the internal trim for a stylish look. The dash is nicely set-out however the important gauges are strangely located in deep tunnels which make them difficult to read especially in strong light (and this is a convertible remember). There are also plenty of hard plastic surfaces and imperfectly fitting joins which serve as a reminder that it is not a luxury European performance car, but a relatively low-budget roadster.
The Red Line features polished chrome exhaust outlets, a slightly different grille for better air flow and black-trimmed headlights. It also carries a different styling on the gauges and a Driver Information Center for key information readout.
2009 Saturn Sky Safety
The Saturn Sky for 2009 scored four stars out of five for front and side impact which is reasonable considering its size and weight. It features a full range of safety features including electronic stability control, limited slip differential and anti-locking brakes to prevent the vehicle losing control in emergency situations. This year the OnStar service is included in the standard package and features the Turn by Turn GPS navigation system which allows drivers to get directions from a live advisor through the GPS. Front and side airbags are included, plus a passenger sensing system to prevent unnecessary airbag activation.
Safety features:
- Electronic stability control, anti-locking brakes.
- OnStar safety system
- Front and side airbags
- Three-point safety belts with pretensioners
Overall the 2009 Saturn Sky is a fun roadster, especially in the turbocharged Red Line trim, yet its lack of refinement in performance and controls constantly reminds the driver that it is a budget choice. For a similar price, there are many more sophisticated performance cars out there like the Mazda Miata and MINI Cooper which deliver a more satisfying driving experience.