2003 Saturn LW300

‘This is a Saturn?!?’ the fellow asked as he walked around the LW300 I was testing. LW300 is new Saturn-speak for the L-series mid-sized wagon with a 3.0-liter V-6. ‘Gosh,’ he continued. ‘I thought it was a Volvo or something. This is niiiiiccce.’

Disregarding the fact that the gentleman in question was attempting to sell me something at the time and that fawning over what he assumed was my choice in cars was the kind of tactics he embraced, I did detect a note of earnest in his reaction to this gussied up Saturn wagon. It does appear to be something more than your average econo-wagon and makes quite an effort to live up to that image in many ways.

As was the case with my overly solicitous salesman, however, what you see isn’t always what you get.

The Good News
The LW300 positions itself as a value leader, not only because it’s conservative on price, but also because of all the things it offers for that price. Besides its capable 182-horsepower V-6, this front-wheel-drive wagon comes with a surprisingly long list of equipment. All the customary luxury accessories like power mirrors, cruise control and remote locking/unlocking are standard, as are unexpected features like head curtain side airbags and automatic headlamps.

The options package on my wagon added a snazzy DVD entertainment system for the kiddies, leather seats, OnStar Communications security link, heated mirrors, power driver’s seat, advanced audio system and then some. It’s really quite fancy, and the price remains well under $30,000.

The LW300 Wagon also scores on practicality, with an interior that provides better-than-average passenger comfort for a mid-sized vehicle and the cargo flexibility of station wagon. With rear seats in place, there is 34 cubic feet of space, 79 with them folded down.

All this is cloaked in a dressed-up exterior sporting a new grille and taillamps. It looks more upscale.

The Bad News
Even with all the high-dollar trappings, V-6 power and the exterior update, this Saturn wagon still comes off as pedestrian. From the plasticky interior trim to the overall bland styling, it doesn’t exude the level of refinement its competitors do. An unfortunate rattle in my test vehicle’s rear hatch, which may or may not be indicative of a larger problem, further underscored this.

This wagon’s biggest image killer is the amount of engine noise and vibration in the cabin. It ruins everything.

This LW300 simply doesn’t have the polish I see in others in this class, and even below. Ride and handling are OK, but nothing special.

One other note: I realize anti-lock brakes add $400 to the bottom line, but I still think they should be standard on this vehicle, given everything else it includes. I also wonder why no side airbags besides the head curtain?

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 21 mpg city/29 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $22,575;
Price as tested, $27,865

Is it worth it?
I’m disappointed in this Saturn. As much as I loved the first Saturn sedan and coupe and looked forward to seeing the line evolve, my recent experiences haven’t lived up to that initial pizzazz-for-the-money.

The best thing this LW300 has going for it is the fact that other mid-sized economy class leaders – namely Toyota and Honda -- have been ignoring the compact station wagon segment. The Europeans, who still do wagons very well, are more expensive. So if you’re dead-set on a tricked-out mid-size wagon and your pockets are shallow, the LW300 fills your bill economically.

I just wish I could say that with more enthusiasm.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.