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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  American made - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Jim Kelsey - December 11 - 5:13 am

  I researched all, drove most, chose on basis of country of originand safety. Its better than 6 of the 10 that were chosen as the "best" better quality and costs less than 7 of the 10 chosen as the best college cars. Saturn 2.2 has been named 1 of the top 10 engines mass produced anywhere! If in doubt, test one. I personally own 2 Saturns and have since the mid 90s Have yet to need a repair other than tires and such.

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  Gad to have an Ara - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By andrew - December 10 - 6:56 pm

  Ihave had the car a month, and having had 60 cars this is a great buy. The XR has looks, ride, quality, performance, and features of a much more expensive car. Mileage is good. Car is quick. OnStar is great. I look foward to going to work just to drive this car!

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  Great ride for a great price! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By dorenda - December 8 - 2:56 pm

  This is a fantastic SUV. Lots of room, very versatile. Smooth ride, lots of pick up on acceleration and excellent braking. Sharp looking with roof rack and chrome package. Quiet ride!

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  Underrated Surprise - 2005 Saturn ION
  By dweezil - December 8 - 12:50 pm

  Have had this ION 1 for 2 and a half years. It now has 21,000 miles on it. It took awhile to warm up to it, but on a recent 2000 mile trip from LA to Tucson to Salt Lake, in heat, freezing cold, snow and mountain climbing activity. it handled everything thrown at it and still returned 35-37.7 mpg.I have tracked the mileage since the first tank.Its only gotten better as the miles increase. This car has all the makings of a 20 year car: bullet proof engine and trans, polymer dent and rust avoiding polymer panels and upholstery that looks like it will wear like burlap.

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  Excuse me, what kind of car is that? - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Melissa - December 7 - 7:13 am

  I feel like Im in a grey poupon comercial, the one where your stopped at a stoplight and someone goes, excuse me what kinda of car is that? Saturn, but of course. Noone can believe it. I took it to a car show, and I felt like a movie star everyone surrounded me all at once trying to get a look at it. I even had someone tell me it looks like a mini viper. This car definetly gets a lot of looks.

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  Wonderful! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By susan - December 6 - 6:50 pm

  I absolutely love this vehicle. I traded in a 2000 Ford Explorer and I couldnt be happier. I was looking at the Acadia as well, but the Saturn was almost identical for a lower sales price, so it was a no brainer. It rides quite smoothly, and the 2nd row captains chairs work nicely for my children. Im getting about the same mileage per gallon on the Outlook as I did the Explorer. The remote start has come in handy on the cold mornings weve had recently. The dual sunroofs are my favorite option on the car. My one small complaint is that I wish the moon roof retracted into the roof completely and that the vents did not automatically come on when it is opened.

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  Great Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Dan Hurd - December 5 - 12:06 pm

  This car is all I expected and more. Handles great. Comfortable and roomy. Solid feel. Love the plastic side panels (this car looks new after 4.5 years). Excellent styling. No maintenance issues. Very powerful acceleration and cruises nicely - I have found myself doing 90 when I am not paying attention. For the base saturn this is quite a car.

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  Still Smiling - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By James Hogan - December 4 - 11:33 am

  I picked up my white with red and black interior in April 07. .Ive added an dual exhaust system and a aftermarket air inlet piece, giving me 24mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway. As far as power, my friends with turbo models are not leaving me no where.I am 61" and use my car as a daily driver with no complaints.The car has admirers every where I go whether driving or parked. My money was well spent.

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  2006 FWD V6 VUE Red Line - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Pete & Beth - December 4 - 11:16 am

  Between my wife and I, this is our fourth Saturn, and it wont be the last. The materials and design have been significantly improved from the original and the Red Line package provides a sportier ride with more supportive seats and a distinctive look. Although the gas mileage started off around 18-20 mpg in the city, we are averaging 25-26 mpg on the highway and expect performance and mileage to improve as the engine breaks in. There is plenty of utility to this small SUV as the split-folding rear seats provide a great compromise between hauling people and hauling stuff. I would recommend to anyone in the market for a compact/midsize SUV to check out the VUE and especially the Red Line.

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  Good car - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Bashir - December 4 - 10:23 am

  The car handles and drives very well. The safety and comfort is beautiful. It is a lot better than my Ford Expedition 2005. That car robbed the gas I put in it. The Outlook saves me about 100 dollars a week and I have to drive to work which is about 75 miles away