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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  Waste of money - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Cindy Selfs - December 21 - 6:10 pm

  The car is pretty enough, but the ride is harsh and there is no acceleration.The interior is kind if cheesy.

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  Wouldnt buy another one. - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By wiguy87 - December 19 - 7:49 am

  I bought this car used in spring 2011 had 50,000 miles on it and I have over 90,000 on it now, I loved it at 1st, drove really nice and smooth, but being over 90,000 im not liking it so much, it already getting rusty on the trunk lid, took it to the dealer ship and said that it would keep coming back after they fix it cause of how the design is, it would keep collecting salt and what not from the road. And the car is pretty noise when your going a certain speed on the interstate, the rotors make noise and shakes. And they could of made the inside alot better.. Ive been trying to sell it/trade it in.. but happen to owe to much on it.. but when I owe lesser on it, Im so gonna get rid of it.

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  Suspension, Manual Transmission - 2007 Saturn ION
  By OML - December 7 - 11:26 pm

  I bought3 cars, 2 stripped down version and one with Auto Tran. The front suspension started to clunk/rattle while driving over not-so-rough road conditions,all three vehicles affected when they hit the 33K mark approx. The traded 1995 SL2 front end noise started when it reached 165k miles. There is a grinding noise when shifting to 4th or fifth gear. Downshifting becomes impossible sometimes ( will take 2 or 3 attempts until it finally engages). The passenger side air bag light will turn ON (intermittent) when there is no passenger.

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  plastic makes it posible - 2004 Saturn ION
  By krams - November 26 - 2:00 am

  handling is par but up to Honda civic

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  Becomes Junk after 30,000 Miles - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By supercell777 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  For the first 6 months, the VUE is great. It still turns heads, but it has become a 7 month-long nightmare of constant front end, suspension, and steering problems. Anything but freshly paved roads is not recommended. The interior is exceptionally noisy. The steering and suspension always rattles, and Saturn calls this "Normal." Many VUE owners agree. VUEs have rather pathetic build quality. I do not recommend the Saturn VUE to ANYONE. For a complete breakdown of all the VUEs constant problems, you can visit Saturnalia and choose the VUE Forum. This will help you make your decision to NOT purchase a Saturn VUE.

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  Saturn is now GM - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Va Gator - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Sorry to say Saturn has finally sold out and is now just GM junk. In the first year in the shop for 3 warranty items. Cracked A/C condensation pan that leaked on carpet. Bad thermostat, and when the dealer fixed they failed to reseal the radiatior hose. Warped disk rotors at 11000 miles!! Most Jiffy Lube can change the oil because they need a special tool only a Saturn dealer has. Very loud road noise and a wind whistle that sounds like a bee in your ear. What a shame, my prior Saturn was super, but I will not be fooled a second time.

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  tons of trouble - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By amber1 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Way too many problems. Creaking noise, at ear level, from door frames when rubber seal gets warm. Was told to live with the noise by 2 dealers. Fronts struts replaced twice. Heater sheild fixed twice. Handling & steering could be better. Very lould engine noise. Suspension could be better, plus rattles. Gas milage is ok. Muffler knocks. Play in the seats, also seat rod replaced due to noise. Both washer nozzles fell out. The VUE pulls when AWD kicks in. Lots of rattles, squeaks & noises.

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  You Get What You Pay For! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Jaysmo - October 14 - 2:00 am

  My 2 yr old Vue has been into the shop for many problems: the AC leaked into the interior, (I was told this was normal), the breaks sqeek, (again, normal), I need to double shift to get the car into 1st, (again, normal), the front struts needs replacing, and finally the ceiling fabric and lights came crashing down after the dealership screwed that up. This not including the 12 times we have been back to the dealership after they either scratched the paint, floor boards, and radio or got grease on the seats. Finally, Saturn doesnt want to be bothered once you purchase the car. Ill never by another GM, let alone another Saturn.

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  Avoid this car at all costs - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Diana V - October 2 - 7:40 am

  This car is one of the major reasons GM has been having problems. Within a month of driving the car off the lot I began having problems. I had to take the car back to the dealership every month that I owned the car for the first year. Every month was a different problem, and since it was not the same problem twice I was unable to file lemon law on the car. Problems include but are not limited to the electric steering failing (at 74,500 miles and year 3 that I owned the car, warranty expired at 75,000, when I was able to get car to dealership I was 200 miles past warranty so I was told by Saturn corporate that it was my problem), central computer glitches, faulty wiring to headlights, anti-theft device would lock car ignition upon inserting key in ignition during cold weather, and a problem with the crank case is what caused my Ion 3 to go to its final resting place. The final year I had the car (Dec 2008, exactly 5 years from the date I bought the car) I again started having monthly problems and dumped a lot of money into the car.

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  2006 Saturn Relay - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By Dave - September 29 - 7:03 am

  Nice vehicle but has an incurable electrical problem. Lights flicker so much that oncoming cars flash their lights. Saturn dealership tried replacing alternator but this did not help. Dealerships ultimate finding was that this model just has this quirk and there is nothing they can do about it. Automatic side doors malfunctioning. Side doors had to be disabled after opening and closing repeatedly with alarm beeping continuously.