Saturn Sl2 Sedan -- Finally, Here's An Excellent American Car

From now on, you can walk into a U.S. car showroom and buy a small car created by U.S. minds that uses U.S. technology and U.S. parts and drive home in a vehicle that will run rings around nearly every import competitor in its class.

The car is the new Saturn sedan.

I recently racked up nearly 1,000 miles in a Saturn SL2. It just may be the best U.S. small car of all time.

It has taken far too long for a small car of the Saturn's quality to emerge from the Big Three.

The test car was equipped with the 16-valve engine and four-speed computer-controlled automatic transmission. This transmission, designed by Saturn, has been granted a dozen patents. But how well does it work? I let a Mercedes-Benz owner drive the test car. His opinion: The Saturn's automatic transmission worked better and shifted smoother than the one in his car.

The four-cylinder engine is strong, full of torque and makes a wonderfully sporty sound when revved. The car handles, accelerates and stops like a miniature sports sedan. But at highway speed the engine is extremely quiet, and I averaged 30.5 miles per gallon with the air conditioning on.

The Saturn's best feature is its handling. Though the Saturn is slightly bigger than a Honda Civic, it offers the ride of a midsize car such as a Ford Taurus. The suspension system allows little noise and trauma to find their way into the interior, which enhances the car's feeling of quality.

If you are looking for a powerful, well-built compact car that handles almost like a sports car, sips gas and won't send your banker into convulsions, Saturn's SL2 sedan is - dollar for dollar compared with the imports - far and away the best value available in today's crowded market.

-- TEST DRIVE POLICY:

Test drives are done by nationally recognized auto writers supplied by Times news services.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

1990 SATURN SL2

Four-door sports touring sedan

ENGINE

all-aluminum

1.9 liter

four cylinders

DRIVE

Front-wheel

TRANSMISSION

5-speed manual

or automatic

FUEL ECONOMY

24 mpg city

34 mpg highway

BASE PRICE

$10,295

OBSERVATIONS

-- Three models

The SL-SL1 sports sedan has a single-cam 1.9-liter engine that develops 85 horsepower. The SL has manual transmission only; the SL1 offers a choice. The SL2 sports touring sedan comes with the 16-valve, twin-cam engine and 123 horsepower. The SC sports coupe has a slinkier look but is mechanically identical to the SL2.

-- Dimensions

Curb weight: 2,408 lbs.

Wheelbase: 102.4 inches

-- Options

AM/FM stereo with cassette, air-conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, sunroof