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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  Unsatisfied first time Saturn buyer - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By D. Rob - January 8 - 8:23 pm

  I purchased my Saturn Relay in May of 2005 and have had nothing but problems. The roof racked leaked, door trim fell off, its missing a seat belt buckle, the inside trim has started to fall off, and the fuse panel will not stay closed. I bought this Relay right off of the showroom floor. I would not recommend a Saturn Relay to anybody.

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  Avoid at all cost! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Morgan Reid - January 8 - 2:47 am

  When it works, its an easy ride. It only works about 10% of the time. Its in and out of the shop for various reasons. The car is aging of course, but the miles are still low in comparison to the year it was built. The recalls have fixed some of the issues, but new ones seem to arise out of the blue. At one point, my gas tank began pouring gas all over the roadway. When I realized, I had it towed to the mechanic who found that nothing had penetrated the tank, but the seal had worn. Its truly a lemon.

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  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SUV!!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Eric (Modesto, CA) - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Never in a million years would I have seen myself in an SUV. I was always the person saying "Ill be driving a CAR for life!" But the Saturn VUE changed my mind. This SUV is not only fun to drive, but its affordable, gets GREAT gas milage, and the insurrance is relatively cheap. This SUV is a vast improvment from my Dodge. But this SUV still provides all the comforts of a car. Ive driven some SUVs before that feel tipsy (Chevy Blazer). THIS SUV IS AMAZING! Tons of standard features plus many more available at a decent price. This SUV not only has a great reputation, but is the ONLY SUV you should consider!!!!

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  vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By mike f. - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Had brand new vue for one week in shop for four problems .I Had up to 1500 miles to trade out for another brand new vue. Dealer was very nice about this problem. Secound brand new vue I had for three days and its been in shop already for empty clutch fluid. Poor craftsmanship would not recommend this vehicle.

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  Think Again!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Bad_Vue - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Hopefully you have not purchased your Vue yet! Please consider and read all the low rating reviews first. Here is a list of problems that have gone wrong with a year of time: 1)Inaccurate fuel reading, 2)Low gas mileage, 3)Steering wheel noisy when turning, 4)Check Engine Light On (Even today had to bring in. 4 Time in 1 week. Replaced upper and lower fuel sensor. Fuel pressure switch. Still came on a day later after service. Just have to live with it, Service writers words!

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  Get groovin - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By 2007 Saturn Sky - January 3 - 5:46 pm

  Its quite the looker with plenty of pep for the pound. I bought this car for my wife after thirty years of marriage. This is the only automobile ever that she has ever seriously asked to own. She without a doubt is in love with this vehicle. I do get to drive it to the dealer, gas station, places of the like. However she lets me ride in it along with her when we just want to get some air and excitement when spectators take that second look at one of the finest vehicals on the North American continent. The only drawback is the closing of the convertible top. The alignment pins more often do not locate themselves into the debit as they should and this has caused the weatherstrip to tear.

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Saturn ION
  By RMUHCKY22 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CHOICE. GREAT SERVICE. EVEN BETTER CAR. MY ION 3 SPECIAL EDITION IS SPORTY YET CLASSY AT THE SAME TIME PERFECT FOR THE QUALITY YET ECONOMICALLY MINDED. THIS CAR HAS IT ALL FOR A GREAT PRICE!

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  Unreliable. Dont do it. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By pinktoes - January 2 - 5:03 pm

  Poorly made? Perhaps bad parts? I have had my horn replaced, the BCM replaced, and now the cruise control and gas gauge are not functioning properly. I cannot wait to trade this car in. I told myself I would keep it a year. One headache-filled year. I would not recommend Saturn or the ION. Not to mention the poor quality of the car, the salesmen and service department have been very disappointing.

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  2004 Saturn Ion 4 door sedan - 2004 Saturn ION
  By loufalce - January 2 - 2:46 pm

  Bought it late in 2004 after my `93 Lumina died at 110,000 miles {needed transmission} Excellent dealer and service. Generally well built car overall, never gave me any trouble until winter of 2008 when engine failed to start. After spending 125.00 at an "authorized GM repair shop"-the dealer was out of business- I was told it needed a new starter, ignition switch, and fuel injection module. Bottom line-1400.00. Since the car had slightly over 35,000 miles on it, I was -hit out of luck. It starts OK when its nice outside, but as soon as it gets cold, it takes forever. Bottom line. I`m going to lease a Honda Civic this time. I`ll never touch another GM car again.

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  Brand New Saturn Outlook 2007 - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Kenny - January 2 - 8:43 am

  I was impressed when I read the reviews, more impressed when I test drove one. But when my wife drove and said she loved it we had to buy it. I traded in a 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T (hemi) for this XR Outlook and Im not sorry I did. In my opinion, what a beautiful car/ crossover it is. Im a big guy and I am so comfortable driving it. Plus, all the safety features, 3 different sets of airbags to protect you no matter what happens, AWD, traction control and the super audio system with the sub-woofer sounds incredible, the car rides quiet, no wind noise. I feel that its alot of car for the money.