The seats are roomy and comfortable. Saturn designed them to provide big-car accommodations without a sofa-like experience. As a result, they are supportive without being restrictive.

Most controls are exactly where you would expect them to be. One of few complaints against previous Saturn vehicles was the vagueness with which the switches operated. Not so with the L-Series: Every switch and knob snaps, flips, or turns smoothly. Window switches are mounted on the center console, however, which is less convenient than having them on the doors.

The sound system is located above the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls; audio controls are nice big knobs that are easy to operate while driving. The steering wheel spokes are set low at each side, which allows for easy use of the correct 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock hand positions. Wood trim in the center dash area looks out of place, however, and the two-tone door trim and mouse fur roof liner are not up to the standards of this class.

Driver and front passenger airbags are standard, of course, but so are front and rear head-level airbags, a feature not even offered in a lot of competitive cars. Compared to the smaller S-Series, the L-Series has a stronger, more substantial body cage, with stronger B-pillars and side-impact bracing in the doors. Energy-absorbing interior door panels further reduce the chance of injury.

The L-Series provides plenty of rear-seat legroom. Headroom is adequate for people who are just a shade over six feet tall, but it would still be wise to leave the Stetson at home. The rear seats split and fold down for additional cargo space.