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:

• 

  More Bang for the Buck - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Hometown - May 28 - 10:00 am

  The VUE with the Honda engine is a screamer. It meets my standards of ride and handling. Nothing in the same price range (with incentives) is close. The VUE goes for about what a plain Jane V-6 Accord or Camry does. When you look at the V-6 SUVs, they cost a lot more and have worse power to weight ratios, for example the base line Porsche Cayenne. It about the same size, has about the same set of standard goodies, but it has 3 fewer horsepower and weighs 1100 pounds more. It also costs about $24,000 more. IÂ’m happy as a pig in mud with the VUE. IÂ’m mystified by the number of connoisseurs of plastic. How much do they want to pay for better looking plastic?

• 

  So many better vehicles for the money - 2003 Saturn ION
  By RuddigerPez - May 26 - 1:23 pm

  Chose an ION because I was trading in an SL2 and wanted the best value. Unfortunately, this car disappointed at every turn. Poor performance, with a loud engine, horrible road noise and terrible mileage (currently at about 26 hwy with driver only). Interior layout looked innovative but in all practicality it just doesnt work. Drivers seat is the most uncomfortable Ive ever experienced. And the GM passlock issue has reared its ugly head with my model, though no recall has been issued. I made a horrible decision considering the Corolla, Civic, or Sentra were all much better vehicles for the same price at the time of purchase. It is a mistake I will not make again.

• 

  awsome car!!!!.........so far - 2006 Saturn ION
  By paul - May 23 - 10:30 pm

  I love my ion! I have had it for only 9 months now but I have not had one bit of a problem. Always relieable, great on gas, fun to drive, awsome and cool design both interior and exterior, great stereo system, very roomy for a smaller car, (decent leg room in the back seat) ive took it on the highway long distance, I live in the city and it does great there with everyday travel as well. Its a 2006 with 46,000 miles on it, it had 36,000 when I got it. I know most problems dont start until after 50,000 miles so well hafta see. But so far so good!

• 

  Mine was 12k out the door - REBATES! - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Neckbone - May 23 - 3:43 pm

  I love it, even though I have only had it four 2 days. I have to announce...with the Cash 4 Cars ($4,500), Dealer ($2,000) and manuf. ($2,500) rebates I walked out the door paying 12K for a 21K sticker! Saturn is closing out this model...RUN and get one! Much better than anything you will find at the price!

• 

  Buy One Now - 2005 Saturn ION
  By SuPeRcHaRgEd - May 22 - 11:46 am

  Bought off the showroom floor Sept.29, 2005 based on reviews from this site. Never seen, sat in, or driven. I talked to one owner I saw at the gas pumps who said buy one you will love it. I do love it, but think I would have rather had 06 with the limited slip and boost gauge. Wheel hop in 1st gear is terrible under hard starts. Once in 2nd gear the fun begins and is non stop through 5th. The power and torque out of a 4 cyl is amazing and at 55 MPH acceleration in 5th there is no need to downshift. Cheap plastic interior, awesome center gauges. Unbelievable handling and brakes, huge trunk. RAD (rear access doors) are great. 23 MPG first tank of gas 26 MPG best 20 MPG worst. 2,200 miles on it now

• 

  Fun to dive compact - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Fun to drive - May 19 - 8:46 am

  I love my Astra, compared all competiton in small hatchback class and the Astra wins by far! Great on gas, and still has room. I even fit a mountain bike in the back with the seats down. The sunroof is excellent and worth the extra $. it gives the car a convertable feeling under 20k. The shifting is smooth but would love a 6th gear. This is a well built car with a definite European feel both inside and out. Great job GM. and Saturn. The only thing I miss is the roof rack, it has the holes for but it is unavailable as of yet. I get complements on the car all the time and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a car in this class.

• 

  A fun Drive - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ryan926 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Unique Styling for a compact car. More car for the price.

• 

  Great SUV; some problems - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Saturn lover - May 18 - 2:40 pm

  I bought the VUE new in September of 2003 and have loved it. Ive always had good gas mileage and it has always been dependable. After owning it 6 years I finally had to replace the battery (replaced the tires at 5 years). The only major problem Ive had was an electrical short that cost me $1000 to fix. I first took to a Saturn dealer in December and they tried but obviously did not have anymore experienced mechanics. I finally took to my local GM dealer (Chevrolet) and it took a couple of trips but their mechanic knew what he was doing! It still runs great and this is the 3rd Saturn Ive owned and I would buy another if Saturns werent being phased out!

• 

  First opion, check back in another year - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Mr. Blue - May 17 - 9:16 am

  Fit , finish, comfort are all first rate. Better looking than the new Chev. Malabu with a richer more Europeen look. Trying one of these better built American cars was a pleasant experience that costs, nothing. You owe it to yourself to try one of their cars out. I really shouldnt be rating anything at this time as the car is still literally untested. I would advise looking at more informative reviews that can be more helpfull regarding reality versus expectations.

• 

  The VUE Rocks - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By pacificnorthwest - May 15 - 7:53 pm

  The VUE is one of the best SUVs around for price, with looks, performance and reliability. The layout of the center console is great, and both the driver and front passenger can control all the power windows and both power mirrors (If you have the power package). The design of the headlamps and grille are very unique.