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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  One Great SUV from Saturn - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By SaturnFan - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Overall I really enjoy the rugged appearance of the Vue. It is fun to drive, but I cant wait to buy the Vue Red Line. My younger children enjoy the DVD system. I really like it because its just the right size, and can hold pretty much whatever you throw into it. I have peace of mind with its optional head curtain airbags, and its "Good" crash test raiting by the IIHS.

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  18 months, still a blast - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By lahilljr - April 27 - 2:16 pm

  I have been very pleased with my 08 Red Line Carbon Flash SE Automatic. 260 hp & ft/lbs torque in a car less than 2900 pounds that is sexy in black on black leather and lots of chrome equals a smile on my face and everyone that looks at it. I have no commute so the miles stay very low (only 6800 in 18 months)and I use it primarily to bop around our small Florida community. Decent gas mileage too, probably 20 mpg or so overall. For what I use it for its perfect, just dont get one if you expect to fit more than one other person and a small overnight bag!

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  Totally Thrilled - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Lt2 - April 27 - 7:13 am

  This SUV is so fun to drive. It has great pick up and handles great at highway speeds as well as city driving. After buying a Saturn I doubt I will want to buy anything else.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Nancy - April 25 - 9:20 pm

  No one is more surprised than me that I really love my new Saturn VUE. I have never owned an SUV or a GM product before - I have always had 2- door sports cars, mostly made in Japan. I am most impressed with the power and the roominess (for a small SUV) of my VUE. I really like the way the interior looks and the comfort of the seats, as compared with many of the other SUV models I test-drove. It has a smooth, quiet ride and a lot of features and upgrades found on pricier SUVs. Plus, I couldnt beat the 0% financing. So far, I am very satified.

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  Quality for the price. - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By DP Moore - April 25 - 10:00 am

  For the money, rides great, ecomony is good and looks like the best. My wife has a back that acts up and its hard for her to find a seat thats comfortable. The Vue fits the bill. Not only is the seat just right, the seating is more than ample in both the front and rear. Im over 6 and was surprised at how comfortable I was in the front seats.

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  Pleasantly suprised - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By toyotanut - April 25 - 6:20 am

  I feel like I am driving a Lexus. Finally a 4 cylinder SUV with some kick and good gas mileage. If you convert the EPA to last years standards it gets 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. Not bad considering the power.

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  Great Vehicle if youre tall - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Bryan - April 24 - 2:23 am

  I love this car! Im 65" tall and the leg room and head room are by far the best Ive seen in a vehicle! I actually have to stretch out my foot to shift! usually my knees are up under the steering wheel or straddling it and have to push in the clutch by pushing with my knee. The telescoping wheel helps too I can drive much more comfortably not having to lay the seat back(so my head doesnt bounce against the roof) this requires me to stretch my arms out to reach the wheel. But the headroom and telescoping wheel definitely gives me a more relaxing ride.

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  Review2 - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Hoagie - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I originally reviewed this car in Jan., a week after purchase. With now over 16k miles on it, I am very pleased with my purchase. I get 30 mpg (city/hwy mix) consistently. I never really get fatigued in the drivers seat. The tight handling has saved my rear end more than once around crazy city drivers. I only wish it had another gear and another 20-30 horsepower. I have had a few minor issues that the dealer has fixed under warranty, but no deal breakers.

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  GM finally got it right - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Scott P. Fisher - April 22 - 5:36 pm

  I just wanted to test drive the Aura as I was happy with my Saturn L-300, but after I did, I fell in love with this car. The extras that came with the Aura, plus the solid ride, quality workmanship, and comfort, quickly sold me.

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  Best 30k Roadster on the road - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By TomT - April 20 - 4:56 pm

  It was my wife who first got interested in the car. I had always wanted a Vette for a 3rd fun to drive car, but she did not like the new ones and finding an older one that fit our budget just did not work out. It was not until I saw one in person that I fell in love with the car. Cannot believe how much fun it is to drive, you just go looking fot the windest roads you can find to put the car through its paces. Great power to weight ratio. Am always getting compliments on the looks, and most cannot believe its a Saturn.