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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  Typical GM junk! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Deckman88 - May 5 - 11:58 pm

  GM does not care about its consumers. My Outlook needed a new transmission for $5000 (a common problem from a faulty wave plate) and it should have been recalled. Also replace countless other items worth probably an additional 2500 in repairs including new front struts, alternator, gauge cluster and oil cooler. I was stupid to buy this vehicle as before it I had a Hyundai with 150k on it that never required one single repair!

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  Nightmare Car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Lindsay - May 4 - 7:36 am

  I bought the car used in February 09. The car had the "no start" issue from the get go and no one could replicate the problem. I worked at 6am and the car would not start when it was below 40 degrees outside. Also the trasmission would "surge" every once and a while when I was driving. The gas mileage was disappointing as well. The seats stained easily, the interior bubble plastic was awful to clean and the AC fan would buzz. I just had the last strw with the no start issue and traded it on a corolla.

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  Better than I expected from Saturn - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Michelle - May 3 - 3:23 pm

  Saturn suprised me. I am a newcomer when it comes to driving a 4 door sedan because Ive always had sports cars, but after driving my Aura that I purchaced 3 weeks ago, I must say that Ive changed my mind about sedans. Saturn has made a great sporty sedan with a great engine that will get up and go! Ive been very happy so far with my Aura and would highly recommend it to those who are looking for a change from there cramped sports car. Great job Saturn!

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  Great All Round Car - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Dan_Arlington - April 28 - 6:23 am

  The Aura is a very comfortable vehicle. My previous car has a 2006 Honda Accord. The Aura is mor comfortable, quieter, and gets the same gas mileage. For the money I think it is a better car than the Honda Accord.

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  Way To Go Saturn! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By B&BTucker - April 27 - 10:00 am

  We just bought our VUE, and its the second Saturn we have owned, the quality of the Saturn is un matched for the small price you pay. This SUV is GREAT! Its fun to drive, it gets better gas milage than others, and it doesnt cost you a fortune in insurance. Saturn backs up its product 100%, buying the SUV was so simple, and easy. None of the pushy salesman. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.

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  Unreliable - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By cperone87 - April 27 - 7:36 am

  I bought a 2007 Saturn Aura used with just under 80k miles. Having owned a 1999 Saturn SL2 for 8 years and having good luck with it, i decided to try again. Big mistake. 2 weeks into ownership, the power steering fluid was leaking. The whole steering rack had to be replaced. Luckily, the dealer i bought it from did it for free. 2 months into ownership, i thought i had a bad wheel bearing. Turns out it was the output shaft bearing to the Transmission, which meant a whole new transmission. Luckily i bought a 2 year warranty on it. During the transmission repair, i was informed that the engines rear seal was leaking. This is only the beginning, and i pray it does not continue.

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  I love this car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ed McCue - April 26 - 2:00 am

  One thing my father always told me was not to buy a new car in its first model year but when I test drove the ION and based on Saturns record of reliability I had to have it. Its fun to drive and practical. Saturn out did itself on this one. Kudos!

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  piece of junk - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By burned by saturn - April 24 - 2:50 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems with this car. Once it was out of the basic new car warranty I had to spend about 30% of the purchase price on repairs. Every time I turned around something else needed to be repaired. I have the extended warranty but as soon as it is out of this warranty Im dumping it. This is my 3rd Saturn. Ive had major problems with all of them. I suppose I just kept hoping a decent car would be built in America. Id never, ever buy another one. Saturn makes a piece of junk on 4 wheels just waiting to fall apart.

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  all in all great value - 2003 Saturn ION
  By mjmilam - April 21 - 10:00 am

  For the money I am very pleased. The interior appears too "plasticky", but other than that I love it.

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  Great mileage car - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By macgov - April 17 - 3:10 pm

  We just bought an 08 Astra 5 door, loaded. We love it! Great to drive, holds the road well. We took a 200 mile trip yesterday and it was comfortable and kept up with the big dogs! Gas mileage was better then expected, AC on the entire trip, got over 32 MPG!