Overview & Reviews

The Saturn brand, which was part of General Motors, has been discontinued as of the 2009 model year. Though popular in its early years, Saturn suffered from poor sales and was shuttered as part of GM's bankruptcy reorganization.

Despite its sad end, Saturn started with a bright future. After losing market share to Japanese imports during the '80s, General Motors launched Saturn, a new division that began selling small, low-priced cars in 1990. The division promoted itself as "different," with Saturn dealers offering no-haggle pricing and friendly customer service.

Saturn made its debut with the S Series line of vehicles. Available in sedan, coupe and wagon configurations, these Saturns differentiated themselves from other GM products with all-new platforms and flexible plastic panels meant to resist denting. Additionally, the brand was granted its own plant, with all Saturns being built at a dedicated facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. These first Saturns weren't exactly built to burn rubber; they were powered by engines that offered from 85-124 horsepower. The payoff, though, was that these were among the most fuel-efficient vehicles of their day, offering up to 40 miles per gallon (when equipped with a manual transmission).

Just after the brand's conception, GM boasted that Saturn vehicles would benefit from rapid evolution, but in the early years, this wasn't the case. The brand's vehicles saw only one redesign in their first decade of existence. The revamp took place in the mid-'90s, and for the most part, it was only skin deep. Exteriors were spruced up and interior room saw a slight increase.

The Saturn brand enjoyed some success in its earliest years, fueled by buyers who were in love with its unique approach to customer relations that included "no-haggle" pricing. By the turn of the century, though, the novelty had worn off. With dated platforms and a limited range of products, the marque was neglected by GM, and disappointing sales figures showed that buyers had taken note and chosen to spend their dollars elsewhere.

GM responded by ramping up its commitment to the Saturn brand. In 2000, it rolled out the L Series; sharing a platform and an engine with the Opel Vectra (one of GM's European products) the sedan was the opening salvo in GM's ultimately futile fight to resuscitate the struggling brand. An SUV, the Vue, was unveiled, as was a minivan, the Relay. The S Series was replaced by the lamentable Ion, which was available as a sedan and a coupe. GM also added a hybrid to the lineup, with the introduction of the Saturn Vue Green Line.

Later, Saturn included the sporty Sky roadster, the midsize Aura sedan, the compact second-generation Vue crossover and the full-size Outlook crossover. For a brief period, there was also the European-sourced Astra compact hatchback.

Despite the increase in product quality, however, the Saturn brand effectively collapsed in 2009. As part of GM's bankruptcy proceedings, Saturn was offered up for sale. Initially, it was believed that the Penske Corporation would take over Saturn. But the deal fell through at the last minute, thereby spelling the final end for GM's import-fighting experiment.

User Reviews:

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  Worst Ever - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Gerri - July 7 - 10:22 am

  I bought this car used from a car dealer in Sterling Colorado. Its by far the worst unreliable vehicle I've ever owned. The previous two owners never went and got the recalls fixed, the car lot knew this and never told me. I went over a bump and all the sounds from everything went out. The doors don't open when I want them to but will when I don't want. It gets the worst has mileage even in the highest.

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  Bad Choice - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Latasha118 - December 7 - 11:46 am

  This is a complete lemon. Within the 1st year I had no heat. Rear and front windshield wiper motor went out. Truck will not close. Saturn had to replace my radio because when you turn to a station it goes blank. It was only 2 that would go blank but the car was brand new. Power Sliding door not working, one day I went to close the trunk . It wouldnt close at all, Saturn could not explain why. Makes blowing noises when car is off. Drivers window fell completely down. I could go on. I have 3 kids and its nice and roomy but Im looking to trade this lemon in. Saturn gave me free oil changes but thats no good when Im there 1 a week. The guy at the dealership said they stop making these...

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  Always in for repair. Poor Service. - 2007 Saturn ION
  By MadMatt - November 12 - 9:46 pm

  Took my ION 2 in for service 2 weeks after the initial 30 day exchange period. Major vibration, accompanied with various rattles from engine compartment. Remount power train. No change. Took it back a week later. Foam insulated my Washer Fluid tank, remount Engine. No change. 3 months later (trying to let prob get worse) foam reattach fan shroud (rattled lose) flash entire car computer. No change, gas mileage drops to 18mpg city. Foam insulate passenger headlight (now cockeyed) prior to getting home that day. Corporate insisted that 4 times isnt enough, take it to another shop. This shop now wants me to come get, and bring back next week for parts. 6 times in shop. 2600 miles. Avoid!

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  Major regret of my life! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Margaret - October 29 - 8:53 pm

  Where do I begin....2nd day, AC stops working and downhill from there...leaky sunroof, jammed seatbelt, interior door trim falls off, bad paint job (repainted twice!), inside dash compartment mechanism broke, exterior wiper trim falls off from car wash (replaced 3 times), front suspension sway bar end links worn out (at 20K miles), musty smell from AC, loud thump when in reverse (told this is normal) and I could go on and on. I have regretted this major purchase everyday. It is always in for service. I begged them to buy it back from me after the first month. I dread the day the warranty expires.

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  Cvt transmission - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By eladiac - October 27 - 9:03 am

  Transmission went out, can not be fixed, entire new transmission, run away from any saturn vue cvt transmission. Car looks great interior and exterioir, but what good does it do if $5000 to replace transmission. Ill be junking it.major disappointment.

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  Worst Car Ive ever bought - 2005 Saturn ION
  By ION "Worst Car" - October 22 - 2:56 am

  My 2005 Saturn Ion3 is the worst car I have ever owned, I currently owe $7000.00 on the car and its engine is shot along with the rear main seal multiple attempts to fix the sunroof, drivers window, IGNITION (3times), HORRIBLE gas mileage and the worst customer service from GM ever. I wouldnt not recommend this car to my worst enemy!!! Sincerely Monica-

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  Dont buy 2003-2005 VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By joaniep - October 12 - 3:15 am

  Dont buy 2002-05 Saturn Vue or Ion! VTI transmission failure expected by GM but no recall issued. I have a 2003 Vue with 67k miles that is now worth scrap metal because I cannot afford the $5500 rebuilt transmission. My car is only worth $6500. I never received written notification or was notified by the Saturn Dealership during routine maintenance. I cannot afford a new car payment; which is why I took care of my Vue - so I wouldnt have to. GM lost class action to replace these transmissions but filed for bankruptcy and received government (taxpayer) bailout before owners notified. Class action re-filed with "new" GM to compel to provide owners with relief.

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  30,000 miles of torture - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Not Happy - October 8 - 4:36 am

  Where do I start. On my way to the airport the clutch went. Before and since it was fixed it is almost impossible at times to put into 1st gear, other times big problems shifting down to 2nd gear. Was informed that this was the way the car was designed, go figure. Air conditioning broke. Cap flew off windshield wiper fluid dispenser. Driver side door handle broke. Lid on console will never stay closed. There was a recall for something. Now it is in the shop once again to have the gear shift fixed also found out that not only does it need new brake pads but the rotors are rusted out and need replacing at a cost of $550. I dont want the car any more and am shopping around for a new one

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  Transmission issues - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By horriblecar1 - October 2 - 11:44 pm

  I purchased this car 4 months ago used and now am experiencing issues with it. It was shaking back and fourth.... stop and go traffic was horrifying because I was afraid the rpms were going to drop and the car would shut off. Also the car had extremely poor pick up and when I would come to a stop the car would occasionally not go when I put my foot on the gas and then it would take off and sound like someone hit me from behind. Dont purchase this car better yet just get a bike...

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  You get what you pay for - 2005 Saturn ION
  By city girl - October 2 - 8:50 pm

  This is a cute car for a teenager. It is not made for the highway! When on the highway it swirls a bit because the car is so light weight. When it is a windy day outside, the car swirls because it cannot handle the wind. This car is too light weight, but other than that I do not have too many problems with it. I also have a problem with the defrost. The windows get foggy as soon as you turn the car on.