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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  Saturn Vue Lemon - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Never again - September 14 - 12:06 pm

  I bought my used 2002 Saturn Vue AWD in 2007 from a Saturn dealer in Downers Grove. It had 53,000 miles on it. From the start it had problems--a loud whining noise which was the vacuum. Then the ABS light went on, along with a fluid leak under the engine The service engine soon light went on with loss of power. I took it to a Saturn dealer in Savoy. They put in a new water pump/wheel speed sensors/hub assembly. That took care of some problems. I took it in seven times to get the service engine soon light and hesitation/loss of power problem solved. It never was solved and my engine ended up ruined with metal shavings in it. I need a new engine-big bucks. I will never buy a Saturn again.

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  Quality Poor - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By St. Louis - September 11 - 3:03 am

  The 2007 Saturn VUE handling is acceptable. Engine noise through the cabin is noticable. Mileage on recent 2000 mile trip averaged 23 on hwy. Car was delivered new with a large crack in the roof frame allowing water into the cargo area. Robots were asleep when assembly took place. Saturn North America says they will weld defect but not warranty it.

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  Last Saturn I buy - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Carolyn - August 29 - 11:46 pm

  Had a 94 SC1 and a 02 SC2 with no problems. Purchased ION 2 new in September 2005 as a leftover. Was great for the first few weeks, then a drain tube for the sunroof came undone & leaked thru healiner; dealer replaced carpet and headliner. Passlock anti- theft system froze repeatedly (preventing the car from starting for 20 minutes at a time) until replaced at 20k. Changed coil pack under warranty and now another Ill have to pay for at 50k miles. Have had computer code P0300- Random Misfire almost monthly since the warrantee expired, but no mechanic finds a problem. Seats are uncomfortable, dash rattles, rear door molding wont stay on ever. Poor quality to say the least.

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  Hate this Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By HATEmyvue - August 20 - 3:40 am

  I have had it almost 6 months and went from loving it to hating it. It is really pretty to look at but not pretty to own. One issue after the other. First I was told I would get mpg in high 20s in city and 30s hwy. Best ever has been 21mpg on hwy. Hard to start at random times. Started making clicking/zipper noises in steering wheel when you turn and had to be regreased and from what I read, itll come back. Keep having electrical tape and plastic fall on my feet. Very noisy/rattles. Hate loud suspension. Hate transmission. Air bag light goes on and off at random times. Carpet/seats cheap and stain easily. Discovered all these things are common with the Vue. Trading it in at a loss.

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  Tankfully this one is gone - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Scahill - August 17 - 11:56 pm

  I cannot stand this vehicle. Build quality is substandard, even for GM. Engineering leaves much to be desired. Car shakes, rattles, and rolls, not in a good sense. Much cheap interior plastic. GM could not even make the spare tire placement effective. GMs fabulous engineers placed the spare is a position to remove much of the storage in the rear. Compare to the more well- engineered vehicles in this class and see what real engineers can accomplish. I will have a hard time disposing of this mess since GM cannot even give this brand away.

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  Do not buy this car - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By apow - August 13 - 3:48 pm

  I bought this car used and liked the styling, etc. But, my transmission failed, brake fluid is leaking into the master cylinder, the air bag sensors are shot, and theres some noise coming from my front end. The car only has 80,000 miles on it! Ive heard so many others are having the same problems with this car. I wish I had read reviews of it before I bought it!! As a comparison, my Dodge Caravan had almost 300,000 miles on it when it died and my husbands Ford F150 has 315,000 miles on it. This car is such a nightmare. I dont know if I should bother to fix it because it sounds like others have had it fixed only to have MORE issues come up. GM should be ashamed. Ill never buy a GM again.

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  2006 ION 2 - 2006 Saturn ION
  By michael k - July 19 - 12:00 pm

  The first 4 months it had been back to the dealership multiple times for multiple problems. The drivers seat has been repaired 3 times and has to go back to be replaced again. This is our 6th Saturn, and our 2nd ION. We were assured that all the issues we had with our 03 ION had been rectified. We were lied to. After 6 Saturns we have decided not to purchase any more GM products. We are very dissapointed with our ION and hope that others think twice before making the same mistake we did. The first week we had the car, the drivers front window motor stopped working. The car was on its way back to the dealership for front end problems at the time. We tried to opt out of the car but GM said no

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  Good Bang For The Buck - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Courtney - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car with 130,000 on it. It now has 150,000 and no problems at all. I was not fond of this car at all but after driving it for a year it really grew on me. granted its no jewel but 20 bucks to fill the tank, 20 bucks for an oil change and virtually maintenance free, how could you complain? The fact that the car is basically dent proof is another plus, i was in two accidents with this car and there is literally not a scratch on it. its slow compared to other cars but gives you NO problems. Although i am getting a new car i must say that i will miss this car and hope that i have as much good luck with my ion as i do my altima. Might not be the best but you wont regret it. honestly.

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  Disappointing Hybrid Vue - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By fairfield1 - July 5 - 11:10 am

  Im very disappointed in this vehicle. I have had several scary driving events in which the car jumped, lunged, and/or stalled for no apparent reason. It has been in for service and repaired several times. In addition it only gets 22 miles per gallon -- pretty bad for a hybrid. I think the poor gas mileage and the problematic engine/electrical system must be related but the service department denies that there is a problem. They say their problems are no worse than the Toyota Prius. I find it odd that they justify their problems by another manufactures problems. I will never buy a Saturn or GM product because of these problems and how I have been treated by Saturn.

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  Wanted Inexpensive, Got Cheap - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By robert noland - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I read all the reviews and was hoping for an inexpensive small SUV. Thought I would be fiscally "wise". Got a cheap, poorly crafted car. Been to the shop multiple times. Car doesnt start when temp is below 60. Thank goodness I live in South Florida. Dont buy this car! Save your money and purchase a better vehicle. I will be trading mine in before it is a year old and taking the financial hit.