If you like the way the Aura looks, you’ll like how all future Saturns will be designed. Taking its cues from GM’s Opel division in Europe, the Aura is crisp, clean, and balanced. New brand highlights include a chrome grille bar with the red Saturn logo embedded front and center, distinctive upswept headlights, and LED taillights with silver trim. Nine colors are available: Berry Red, Black Onyx, Bronzed Pewter, Cream White, Golden Cashmere, Midnight Blue, Ocean Mist, Silver Pearl, and Techno Gray.

According to company spokespeople, the Aura’s interior “sets a new standard for the Saturn brand.” Designers aimed to deliver premium low-gloss materials, tight gap tolerances, and excellent fit and finish in the Aura to ensure that it would be perceived as upscale. To that end, amber LED gauge and ambient lighting intends to convey a premium ambience, along with the Morocco Brown leather option on the Aura XR. The dash is trimmed in fake wood or silver plastic, chrome is sprinkled throughout for added flair, the headliner is a plush woven mesh, and the pillars are actually covered in a cloth that matches the headliner instead of the usual patterned plastic.

Details like that last one will help make the Saturn Aura a success. However, we found that the Aura lacked some features that are rapidly becoming the standard in its class, things like a close assist handle for the inside of the trunk lid and a rear seat center armrest. Furthermore, it seems as though the upgraded materials were applied only to the upper half of the cabin because the lower dash and door panels still have a glossy appearance, and the plastic used to construct the center console sounds thin and hollow when rapped with a knuckle. The most glaring example of cost cutting inside the Aura, however, is the center armrest between the front seats. It’s got a textured rubbery surface, but is rock hard and looks dramatically out of place. At the very least, it should be covered in padded vinyl.

Controls are straight from the General Motors parts bin, which is fine since most of them feature intuitive design and clear markings. Plus, GM is very good at placing knobs, switches, and buttons right where you expect to find them. The gauges are unique to the Aura, the stalks have a remarkably refined feel, the knob for the panoramic sunroof twists just like an Audi or Volkswagen, and the paddle shifters work well unless you shuffle steer. But then, you’re supposed to have all your downshifting completed before you enter a turn, aren’t you?

Storage spots include a good sized glove box, and large center console bin with a rubber liner at the bottom, four door slots, and small door panel bins. A cubby box under the climate controls is deep enough to lose small items, and Saturn thoughtfully provides card clips on both visors.