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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  A different kind of SUV - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Al - December 16 - 1:06 pm

  The 2wd, 4-cyl model we are leasing is basically a station wagon on stilts. This is for hauling groceries and kids, not off-roading, which is fine, because thats what most folks use their SUVs for anyway. Before this, we had the V-6 L300, and the VUE feels underpowered in comparison, but its an SUV that gets good gas milage. The reviewer commented on the cheapness of the interior, but that was the 2002 model. I think the brushed aluminum look in the 2006 model is very nice. The armrests on the front bucket seats are really the only plastic bits that seem cheap to me. For some reason, we have the woodgrain from the v-6 model on one of the doorhandles in the rear.

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  Saturn VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Louise - December 16 - 10:16 am

  The VUE is quiet, it drives well, and the ride is very comfortable even for long rides with lots of leg room. I love this car. I love the color "Cypress Green". I would definitely buy another one if I ever trade this one in. So far it has been my favorite car, and I was always a Ford person.

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  Electrical problems - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By randy121 - December 15 - 3:36 pm

  Noticed people having electrical problems. The fix. UNHOOK CONNECTOR AND DISCONNECT FROM BCM. APPLY DIELECTRIC GREASE ON ALL CONNECTOR PINS. RECONNECT. CLEAR CODES. There is fretting on inside BCM connections causing shorts on different electrical items. Mine was ESC traction, Rear brake lights coming on, Cruise control not working, etc. Dealer charged me $30.49, thought I had a lemon, runs great now !! Got lucky to find reputal dealer.

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  Nice - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Marilyn - December 14 - 9:40 pm

  All around Great Vehicle. FOr the money got alot. 2nd Saturn I have owned

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  ION3QC - 2003 Saturn ION
  By EdwinM - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Fun to drive and very different than anything else out there.

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  I love my VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ClaytonB - December 13 - 10:00 am

  The VUE has great fuel economy and the engine is very responsive. We took it on vacation and it handled well in the mountains. The interior is nice, the plastic panels are easy to clean and very durable. The insurance is also lower than other vehicles we were considering.

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  This much fun for the money and mpg! - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Carl T. - December 12 - 5:53 pm

  Test drove just about all mid size sedans and once I drove the Aura my mind was made up. Great style, profile and roomy interior. To top it all off a V6 getting over 30mpg. Saturn making big mistake not offering 3.5l in 2009 Aura XE. The 3.5l has plenty of power and I have no complaints with the 4 speed automatic transmission. I still can not get over the MPG, a pushrod power plant getting that kind of mileage. Handling is second to none, put all of these factors together and you have one fun sports sedan. You owe it to yourself to at least test drive and you will want one. Then compare price with other mid size sports sedan, you will be sold.

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  Love My Car - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By lr - December 12 - 8:46 am

  I have had my car for 4 months now and I still love it. It has all of the bells and whistles for a price that was cheaper than the competitors base models. I looked at 7 car models and the Saturn Vue won hands down. No problems to report. Mileage is OK, it is a V6, AWD car. You cant expect to get 40 mpg.

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  A reliable and fun to drive vehicle - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By AMUELLERJR - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I was one of the first VUE owners in St. Louis. It was not my first Saturn and wont be my last. They have always proved to be reliable, well built and practical, yet fun to drive. For an SUV it gets good milage and has been maintance free other than the standard maintenance. The polimer panels are great and require nothing. The body is well finished and appointed. It was and is a good value.

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  Perfect for the family - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Trudy - December 6 - 12:56 am

  I am very happy I chose the VUE. Comfortable, reliable, and quiet running. It has everything I need. Very spacious and great room in the back. Absolutely no regrets.