As the largest sedan in the Saturn range, production commencing in North America in the summer of 2006 for the 2007 model year.

[3] The Aura was part of a product rejuvenation for Saturn, intended to make the brand profitable and competitive with European imports.

With this 3.6 L engine, the Aura was the first front-wheel drive GM passenger car to use the new Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission.

[14] The transmission featured TAPshift, which allowed the driver to manually select gears by using paddles located behind the steering wheel.

Other standard features included the Advanced Audio Package, 18 inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior door handles, and remote vehicle start.

The Aura also used hydraulic power steering (V-6 models only) that provided more feedback and a more linear feel than the fussy electric power-assist units.

It included the 17 inch 10 spoke alloy wheels available on the XE and the 2.4 L LE5 Ecotec engine mated to GM's all new 6T40 6-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift.

[14] Traction Control, six airbags, V6, automatic, auto headlights, CD with AUX, 17 inch wheels, among other features, comes standard.

A Special Edition version of the XE included equipment upgrades, the option of the XR-only black or Morocco Brown leather, along with new, XE-only 18 inch machined alloy wheels.

[19] As in the Vue, the Aura Green Line was equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor/generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission.

General Motors recalled 473,841 vehicles involving the Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura from model years 2007 through 2010 equipped with four-speed automatic transmissions.

Other improvements include reduced road noise, attributed to the fact that this model doesn't use polymer body panels like its predecessors, in addition to the extensive soundproofing GM added to car, and the triple-pane front windows and windshield.

[27] The Aura finished fourth out of six places in a Car and Driver comparison test, ahead of the Chrysler Sebring and the Toyota Camry, but fell behind the Honda Accord.

[12][13][28] Also, the steering wheel has been criticized for being too big for some drivers[27] and that rear headroom was tight when equipped with the optional sunroof.

[13] Robert Cumberford of Automobile magazine claimed that the Aura is a good car watered down by GM's cost cutting department.