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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  Never again - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Lu - June 16 - 6:36 pm

  This car has been a nightmare from the beginning. Seems like ever 3 months something strange and new goes wrong with this car. If I could afford it I would dump it today and buy anything else. Today my husband is coming back from a trip and just called me to say the check engine light came on, and it wont accelerate going up hills. Its okay on flat ground. What a mess, we have to go find another dealer.

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  Great car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By GMowner4life - June 16 - 1:36 pm

  My lease was up on my 2006 Cobalt so I wanted to get something comparable to it. I started looking into the Ions because I liked the way they looked and Im a big fan of the Ecotec engine, I know engineers that have said this will eventually be known as one of the best engines GM has come out with. I wasnt sure about the gauge cluster being in the center of the dash at first but I grew to love it. It drives really smooth and handles bumps nicely, the gas mileage is great too. I have a Waverunner and it pulls it nicely. Overall Im very happy with this car.

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  Im glad I dont drive much - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Boston - June 16 - 6:50 am

  I bought the VUE because I use public transportation and mainly needed an errand/recreational vehicle--so, mpg wasnt that important to me. Since Im averaging 18 mpg city driving, Im really glad I dont need it as my commuting car. That said, the car is nicest thing Ive driven and rides like a dream. I have the leather interior package and the heated seats, lumbar support, and climate control is just fantastic. My back windshield fluid sprayer doesnt work, but thats a factory problem and the dealership will fix it.

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  A Very Mixed Bag - 2003 Saturn ION
  By rdcarney - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I drive over 20K/year for work, and need a reliable and economical vehicle. The Saturn Ion specs out much better than the Cavalier that Im used to driving, plus my wife is in love with the Ions looks and features. What I didnt know is that the drivers seat would hurt my back so badly after driving for 30 miles or more. I would recommend NOT buying this car to anyone who has had any kind of back problems or tight muscles. Also, there is too little useable storage space within easy reach of the driver; there isnt even a safe place to put a cell phone with an earpiece attached. Im wondering what kind of individual they designed this car for?

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  ION 3 rocks!! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By fiend0810 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun and sporty. It handles extremely well in the mountains and on curves. Plenty of power and just a joy to drive. This is my first Saturn and it wont be my last.

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  I like it!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Vue Crazy - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Nice body style. Drive smooth. pretty good for a 4 cynlinder.

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  Saturn Vue is Graet! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By RichJ - June 15 - 10:00 am

  This was the best purchase Ive made in a long time. Im a proud Saturn owner

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  I hate this car. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Danielle - June 14 - 10:13 pm

  This was my very first car. The first month of driving it I loved it! But then things started going wrong. The waterproofing on the drivers side window wore down so it was extremely loud driving and water would leak in when it rained. At the same time the steering column collapsed. There is something always rattling in the back of my car and it comes loose and I have to shove it back in to place. When i have the air on, there is a buzzing noise coming from the passenger side. It seems like there is always something rattling. The seats are extremely uncomfortable and hot. It is not a very smooth ride. I am getting a new car as soon as possible. Exterior and interior are also very cheap.

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  So far so good - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Matt - June 14 - 8:23 pm

  I am impressed overall. The mileage is what I was looking for and have gotten it. Comfortable, stylish, and versatile. Just what I was looking for in small SUV.

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  Love it , love it! - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By SarahR - June 14 - 5:03 am

  When I started looking at these, my husband insisted we get a loaded 3.6 XR version. When I came home with the loaded 3.5, he did not even blink an eye. It has a smooth ride and is so darn quiet! Road noise is minimal - the first time we were on an extended highway drive, my husband noted that he could fall asleep it was so quiet...thank goodness I was driving. Acceleration is fabulous, although with todays gas prices, I tend to conserve as much as I can now! I would recommend this car to anyone - and it was fabulous in the snow this winter. I have not had a better car.