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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  Mine, all mine - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Ann Drewitt - December 20 - 9:20 pm

  This is the most exciting small vehicle to hit the road. My husband and I have been in the auto business over 40 yrs each and in the "high end". We have retired and having the most incredible time in our baby. We are the center of attraction everywhere we go and it has been called everything from a Corvette to a Viper. My husband used to be a rally driver so he knows how to handle this car. It sticks like glue and a dream to drive. It has been years for me to drive a stick shift but fell into changing gears immediately. It is so easy. Keep it up Saturn, we give it 500%.

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  Small annoying problems - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Mislead - December 19 - 8:36 pm

  Bought this car in 2006 as my first car. Was very reliable for the first few years, then stopped. Key cylinder has had to replaced once and soon will have to be replaced again. Car has leaked in the rain which destroyed my phone. Other than that, it has not been too bad. But it is really annoying having to spend fifteen minutes to remove your car key. Once it would not even turn off.

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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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  I love my car! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By shop_girl - December 17 - 11:26 pm

  My Saturn Vue is a five speed manual and it is so fun to drive! I have not had a single problem in over two years. It is extremely safe and great to travel in. I am in college so money is tight, but this gets excellent gas milaege. I usually get about 28mpg.

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  Saturn review - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Sheila - December 17 - 12:26 pm

  Ive owned my Vue Hybrid since April and enjoy the gas mileage tremendously. I like the way the car looks and the comfort of the interior. Ive had a problem with the rear passenger side door rattling. I took it to the dealer last week and it doesnt rattle as much, but it still rattles. Other than that Ive had no problems with it.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owed! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By belovedisis - December 12 - 4:06 pm

  It is so much fun to drive. It handles great. It has a lot of get up and go. I got my car on 12-5-06 and I love it. Now my husband wants to trade our 2003 Saturn VUE for one for him. This is my 3rd Saturn and I will only buy a Saturn VUE for my SUV and I will only buy a Saturn Aura for my sedan.

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  Never thought Id meet a Saturn I liked - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By D. Erickson - December 12 - 11:00 am

  Buying this car was an accident. I have driven Volvos for 12 years now, and decided to check this car out when shopping. Boy was I surprised - pleasantly. The car is beautiful to look at (if you get past the tail looking like it was caught in vice- grips).18" wheels are beautiful, horsepower very good, interior style, excellent. I had a lot of tire problems - took dealer 10 tires to get rid of roll-out on the Goodyears. Other than that only time will tell. There are some things I would design differently, but all in all this is an amazing American car. Back seat room is great - driver entry is not. Center pillar needs moved back about 3-4" for easier ingress and egress.

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  Excellent car! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Mdewman77 - December 8 - 11:10 pm

  I really enjoyed our 2007 Saturn Vue. We had it for a year and half but had to get rid of it and trade it in for a van because we now have two kids. We only had a problem with the engine light coming on. It handles horribly in the rain though, be warn! I was in a rainstorm and I had to drive 45 miles just so I didnt slide all over the road. Ive had other SUVs and this one handled the worst out of the 3. I hope they fixed it in the 2008 model!

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  i dno - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By SOKKERKID!! - December 8 - 10:00 am

  i love this car its very nice and affordable

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  Slip Slidding Away - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Joel - December 8 - 6:10 am

  Bought it new off the lot. opted for a little better milage over the AWD. BIG mistake !!!! This is one of the worst vehicles Ive ever driven in the snow. Tires are too wide, and the anti-lock brakes are WAY to touchy. Just seems like in snow, the anti- locks go on and there is no braking at all ! Traction control via the throttle reacts way too slow too. I also have a "02" Saturn wagon. Traction control via brakes and anti- lock are much better. NOt to mention, on the wagon you can turn it off with a button. On the Vue your stuck with it, unless you want to drive in Lo gear. Had it in three times to the dealer before warranty ran out "Nothing wrong with it!" ????????