The same has to be said for ride and handling. While there's nothing wrong with the L200 the Accord is as poised as many premium European sport sedans. The L200's fully independent setup was comfortable and smooth just the same. It comes with standard 195/65R15 tires but my tester had the optional 215/55R16 Firestone Firehawk all-seasons on attractive 16-inch chrome finished alloys - the better of the two choices. Generally the L200's steering felt a little vague, especially during emergency lane changes where it produced more body roll than I personally like - a characteristic that has the habit of upsetting the chassis. That said if kept to reasonable speeds it will do most of what it's called to do.
I didn't have the opportunity to test the L300's 182-hp 3.0-L V6 with 190 lb-ft of torque but I didn't feel particularly held back by the L200's 135-hp 2.0-L 4-cylinder. Still what would you rather drive? Honda's base DX comes with a 160-hp 2.4-L 4-cylinder producing 161 lb-ft of torque. Most would take the power of the Honda over the Saturn, especially considering that its combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 7.9 L/100 km is better than the L200's 8.3.
For 2003 Saturn has dropped the L200's standard rear disc brakes, which would have bested the Honda that only provides rear drums on its base DX until moving up $1,200 to the LX-G. While both have rear drums the Honda beats the Saturn in base model braking safety due to standard ABS, now made optional in the L200. It should also be mentioned that the L100 entry model is now discontinued.