EDMUNDS.COM 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
The Alero combines attractive styling, capable engines and extensive standard equipment, but it''s hard to recommend a car in its last year of production.
Pros
Sleek styling, brisk performance and handling, user-friendly cockpit design, well-equipped standard model.
Cons
Low-grade interior materials, poor frontal offset crash test score, numb steering, poor resale value.
What''s New for 2004
As the Olds brand heads into the sunset, the Alero receives only minor changes. Sport Red is a new exterior color, and the six-speaker stereo has been downgraded to four speakers.
Overview
Introduction:
Starfire begot the Omega. Omega begot the Firenza. Firenza begot the Calais. Calais begot the Achieva. See the pattern here? Since 1975, when Oldsmobile introduced its first truly compact model, mediocrity has been the rule for small cars wearing the rocket badge. The Achieva arrived in 1992 with clean body styling, a traditional Oldsmobile grille that lent a bushy-eyebrowed Groucho Marx look to the front, and a hot-rod SCX trim level that made for a bona fide performance coupe. The SCX lasted one year, and the remaining models quickly earned the nickname "Under-Achieva." By 1998, the coupe had been excised from the lineup, and rental car companies were buying up the final run of Achieva sedans. Thankfully, Oldsmobile''s small-car story ends on an upbeat note. The manufacturer introduced the Alero in 1999, and it''s proved to be Oldsmobile''s biggest success in the compact segment. While the Alero is technically a replacement for the Achieva, this vehicle is light-years ahead of previous attempts by the division to build and market a small car, and it was an instant hit with the automotive press and consumers alike. For 2004, the Alero continues to compare favorably with its competition. In coupe form it is an especially handsome car. Though it falls somewhat short when it comes to refinement, the car wins high marks for being comfy, stylish, well equipped and a decent performer. This is Oldsmobile''s last year before being killed off, however. As such, expect poor resale value for the Alero, though you might be able to get a pretty fantastic deal from a dealer looking to unload its inventory.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Alero is available in four trim levels -- GX, GL1, GL2 and GLS -- each of which may be had as either a coupe or sedan. GX models come with 15-inch wheels, air conditioning, a CD player, cruise control and power locks. The GL1 adds alloy wheels; height and lumbar adjustment for the driver seat; power windows and mirrors; and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. GL2 models get a standard V6 engine, along with 16-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel disc brakes. Finally, the high-line GLS offers a leather-and-cloth upholstery combo and a power driver seat. In terms of options, GX owners can spruce things up with a Sport Package, which features a rear spoiler, alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. GL1, GL2 and GLS trims offer a Sun and Sound Package, which features a power sunroof and an eight-speaker sound system. All Aleros are eligible for XM Satellite Radio, and GLS buyers can get a Performance Package, which provides firmer suspension tuning.
Powertrains and Performance:
GX and GL1 models feature a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 140 horsepower. Optional on the GL1 and standard on GL2 and GLS models is a 3.4-liter V6 that makes 170 horsepower. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard on all Aleros. Fuel economy is average; four-cylinder models have a 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway EPA estimate, and V6 Aleros are rated for 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Antilock brakes with traction control are standard on GL2 and GLS models and optional on the GX and GL1. In government crash testing, both the Alero coupe and sedan received four out of a possible five stars for driver-side occupants in the frontal impact category; the coupe scores five stars for passenger-side occupants, and the sedan scores four. In side-impact testing, the Alero coupe picked up just one star for front-seat occupants and four stars for the rear; the sedan earned three stars in both front and rear passenger protection within this category. In frontal offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Alero received a "Poor" rating (the lowest possible).
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Inside, the Alero offers a user-friendly control layout with good nighttime illumination. The seats are generally comfortable, though only a lap belt is provided for the center passenger in the backseat. Materials quality is several steps behind that of competing imports, and the leather in the GLS looks and feels too much like vinyl for our taste. Both the coupe and sedan offer 14.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Neither engine is particularly quiet during operation, but the four-cylinder provides adequate power in most situations, while the V6 offers spirited performance. A firmly tuned suspension makes the Alero fun to drive around twists and turns, yet ride quality is smooth enough to make the Olds suitable for weekday commutes as well. The steering offers little in the way of road feel, however, and the brakes, though strong, can be difficult to modulate due to an overly stiff pedal.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ OLDSMOBILE Information Index ] [ COUPE/HATCHBACK, SEDAN Information Index ]
|
