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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  2005 Saturn Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By John Marcus - November 23 - 10:46 am

  I bought my saturn view in october of 2005. The gas gage broke at 5000 miles, then at 12000 miles there was an electrical problem and the daytime running lights stayed on. The car died and I had to have it towed. :(. The dealer covered everything but it was still annoying. The dealer was really slow and took forever.

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  Saturn Vue product low quality - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Rey - November 22 - 1:20 am

  Purchased 2007 Vue new and noise was experienced days after it was purchased. After several visits to the shop to identify and correct noise we decided to live with the noise. Two years later a vehicle started shuddering when stopping. After taking Vue to the shop 3-times we were told problem could not be identified. Shuddering is more prominent now especially when the reverse gear is on.

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  Horrible, save yourself the hassle! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By CourtneyT - November 18 - 3:50 pm

  I bought this car in Dec 2007 for a birthday gift to myself. Ii am 19 and had never owned a new car. Well lets just say if I could go back and get a different car I would! At 3000 miles my car was in the shop 2 times for clunking while doing u turns, which they replaced the tire well and it still continues today, and also a chirping in the tires. They tell me there is nothing wrong with it, also still going on today. I have 8000 miles on my car & I have been to the shop 9 times for the reasons above and now clunking in the back of the car as well as brake clunking. My rotors have been replaced for being warped after 2000 miles. and the tire well, also things have been falling off the car!

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  On thing after another - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Didier - November 11 - 12:33 pm

  I bought this Saturn Vue new and 6 months later I lost the transmision driving on the highway then it went downhill from there, little things one after another. Poor quality on the dash instrumentation, broke the hazzard light button twice, handle for the hood release broken twice. Issue with fuel guage malfunctioning seems to have been an issue with several GM models in southern Ontario. Heated seat not working anymore on drivers side. A few lights on the dash not working anymore. Was not impressed to learn that new tires where only available at the dealership only and they are quite pricey. Headlight bulb gone out had to go to dealer to have it replaced because I did not have in hand the GM screwdriver

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  The typical van - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By jack - November 6 - 9:43 pm

  Before the purchase of the Relay 2, we had two Dodge Grand Caravans. This realy is heads and shoulders above those previous vans. It is comfortable, powerful, handles ok and is reliable. We once had a problem when we overfilled our gas tank, but hav had no real problems since. Now, we need brakes at 30k, but that is the only problem it has had. I hope to get seveal more years of good service out of it before it gets sacrafiiced. So far, this has been a good vehicle.

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  Aerodynamic Flaw and Transmission - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Michigan Exp. - November 3 - 2:46 am

  I agree with another review that this cars transmission hunts, is too quick to downshift and would add that it feels erratic (jerky), especially at low speeds; had it checked by dealer, they say that thatÂ’s how it works. Also agree that steering wheel control buttons are too small and hard to use. I would add an item that was not in other reviews. The aerodynamics seem flawed; when travelling at 50 mph or faster, and only the rear window(s) is (are) opened, the closed front windows and closed sunroof vibrate badly and the air pressure in the car is such that it is painful to the ears. Dealers solution, crack the front windows or sunroof; this is not acceptable fix in my opinion.

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  High Maintenance for a Cheap Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Saturn User - October 31 - 10:36 pm

  Any options that are standard on other vehicles cost extra (power anything, auto transmission), boosting the price out of a moderate range for the car. 3 recalls in first year. The brakes squeal loudly all the time, and yet Saturn says this is normal. Goes into overdrive after just a few starts and stops - the engine intensifies. Steering wheel feels like a toy, seats stain easily, seats are hard and uncomfortable. Replaced radio three times because of defective products. Pros: Huge trunk space; reliable to always start up; warning message for low fuel, oil change; plastic body allows for some give and take with bumps and bruises; moderate prices for replacement parts.

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  Sadly Disappointed - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Sue - October 16 - 1:03 am

  We have owned Saturns in the past. We currently own a SC2 thats 13yrs & have had no issues. And during these past years have recommended Saturn to many relatives & friends. After many months researching for a new growing family vehicle, we chose the Outlook 4wd XR. We were thrilled of the many standard features, 8 seats, mpg, and that it handles the road well. But, once having it home driving on our many hilly roads, unlike the flat roads near the dealership, the shifting is horrible. Then our front passenger door leaked, got that fixed. Next the front drivers side door leaks & today we noticed the drivers side rear seat belt slot is leaking!!! Whats next?! Hence the disappointment

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  Getting Better...I guess - 2004 Saturn ION
  By AZgirl - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2001 SL1 which was Ok but I had a couple of problems. I got a smoking deal on the Ion so I went for it. I have not been satisfied with it so far. I had 4 repairs (radio, 2 different doors, both headlights and turn signals) within the first 3000 miles. Right now it works marvelously but I would not recommend the standard model to anyone. Not a single soul.

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  Many issues *Thank God for Warranty* - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Loader73 - September 28 - 5:30 am

  Well in the first couple of months the computer module went bad and I lost all power in the vehicle - Warranty $100.00. Then there was an awful squeak in the front end - Warranty $100.00. Then the front left wheel bearing went - Warranty $100.00. Then the computer went again and this time nothing in the truck would shut off and it sat on the tow truck and at Saturn until the battery went - Warranty $400.00 fought and got 100.00 back (battery cost over 100.00?) Then the rear right wheel bearing went - $100.00. And now the Front Rotors are bad and I am doing them myself... Service dept doesnt even ask if its warrantied until they come and ask you to sign for the total amount for repairs?