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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  Info - 2003 Saturn ION
  By HRC - September 17 - 6:16 pm

  Rides good, nice exterior style. The engine has enough power, big trunk. Ignition switch went bad twice and it seems to be going bad again. The interior panels fall off or come loose easily. The heater core went bad. Lots of rattles and wind noise. Radiator sensor went bad.

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  Get An Attorney - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Pat R - September 17 - 11:36 am

  I just took the first step and called one. How long am I supposed to put up with this? At 17k miles the car started issuing the battery and engine malfunction warning lights with a few other icons thrown in. Then, engine shut-downs and loss of electrical power in mid-traffic. The eco light often disappears and I get no hybrid fuel economy. I just fill-up at the pump like everyone else. I use the car as a taxi. Imagine what my passengers thought when I had to pump the accelerator (and them) to safety as the engine failed and loss of electric power caused the steering wheel to lock on a local highway. Saturn just wants to keep "repairing" it with different parts. Its been a year, now.

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  Its not a Honda - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By ch - September 5 - 9:56 pm

  I bought this vehicle thinking I would keep it for 10 years. I agreed to the sale only because it has a Honda engine. Its been 1 and Im going back to a Honda or Toyota, even though Im upside down. Very poor resale, extremely noisy on the road and now 1 year later the brakes are squeaking! USA car - never again

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  Saturn has lost its touch - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By n8woods - August 31 - 7:33 am

  Weve owned 3 Saturns (years 1994- 2000), which have all have been very reliable. However, the VUE is definitely not. Gas mileage is decent (avg 25mpg) but mechanically speaking, we have had nothing but problems. The warranty only covers up to 36K miles for a reason: because at 40K miles, everything breaks! The ignition switch and muffler needed replacing at 39K miles and now the clutch and hydraulic well are corroded at 42K miles. Just within the last year, weve had to put nearly $1,000 into this car. With a little research, we found they changed the style in 2004 so most repairs must be done by a Saturn/GM dealership. Sneaky, sneaky! No more Saturns for us.

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  A few annoying quirks - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Jill B. - August 25 - 10:00 am

  The drivers seat is too wide, so I move around in turns. No adjustable seat tilt, so my thighs are not supported. The clutch safety switch clicks. Hopefully the seat will mold to me like my SL1 did. Most FM stations have static. Brought it back twice, and have been told its working properly. Im still trying to get this solved. If I cant, I dont know what to do. Very roomy, much bigger than the SL. The tightest turning circle I have ever seen. Powerful engine, huge trunk with storage underneath. I like the central gauges, not their illumination/contrast at night. Lots of features for the money. Place for sunglasses, but not CD or tape case.

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  Could be a lot better - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Lyle Hamm - August 23 - 2:23 am

  I have owned this car since Oct. 03 and have had it recalled several times - the drive shaft had to be removed and balanced, plus several other problems, it seems that the car is ALWAYS needing something done to it -- it is a poor ride (you feel EVERY BUMP) needless to say I would never buy another one.

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  Should have been yellow not red - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Bonnie - August 22 - 3:13 am

  I bought my car brand new, drove it off the lot, the next the low tire pressure light came, they reset it, then the engine light came on, they reset it, the dash rattled they put some packing in it, the windows leak, they said it was the way it was, the engine light came on, they reset it over and over and over, put in a new sensor it came back on, the battery went dead, they replaced the sensor, the abs and traction control light came on, the low tire pressure light came on, the doors lock themselves and the engine surges and dies - they reset it. Anybody want a lemon???

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  Save Yourself the Hassle - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By AJenkins - August 11 - 7:46 pm

  I have owned my Vue for approx two years, and in just the last month, I have had it in the shop four times! They dont know what the problem is so now they just keep telling me they cant duplicate the problem--what a load of bull! I would caution you against purchasing one. Theyre nice to look at, but if you plan on taking a trip in one, you can plan on hearing lots of noise from your vehicle, as well as, all the others on the road, and you may want to make alternate plans in case your Vue breaks down-- you also may want to add an extra day or two into your trip b/c Ive waited on tow trucks for hours! You will get decent gas mileage--that is if you can get it to go anywhere!

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  Could be better, my 2nd VUE and my last - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By ashleemooneyhan - August 10 - 11:13 am

  I actually had another VUE before I bought this one. The old one was a 2004/man.transmission. 4cyl. engine. I liked it more, but it was totaled in an accident at someone elses fault. I survived at least 6 full tumbles down an embankment--I credit the safety features of the VUE. After that experience I only felt safe buying another one. New one is a 2006. Things randomly fall off--hubcap, side door panel. Had to pay to be replaced. Interior stains easily-- wish I had gone for the leather, instead. Buttons on the steering wheel randomly stick (despite detailing/cleaning) and things go haywire. If I could go back, Id get the V6, the leather, and the AWD. Dont get the basic model.

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  Cant Drive it in the Rain - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By jason - August 5 - 9:30 pm

  At first we loved the car, no problems but a broken vent but, then it rained. My wife drove the car through no more than 5in. of water a around 10-15 mph, the car ingested water and bent the connecting rods. My thoughts on this car, its great on the open road or around town, but if it rains, park it or you could have to buy an engine too. Best of luck to those own one and the would be buyers.