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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  I love my ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ang - August 14 - 12:40 pm

  Im a college student and needed a newer car, something affordable. I found my Saturn with only 5600 miles, only a year old. Since Ive put 18,000 miles on it (In less then a year) and it takes my wear and tear. Its trendy and professional looking. I would definetly buy another one. Its a wonderful, affordable car. I love it.

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  Best Crossover of 2007! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By jholenko - August 8 - 1:46 pm

  I recently owned an 03 TrailBlazer and this has so much more power and giddyupness. Its amazing that it gets such fuel economy. Very beautiful colors available also. No icky colors. Very quiet. Very much recommend. Best 8 passenger CUV in the market today. 10/10 stars. Seriously, drive one. You will love it.

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  Awesome - 2003 Saturn ION
  By SaturnFan21 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is completely awesome and more than a match for the others out there. I drag race on an 1/8th mile strip and have beaten a 2002 Toyota Celica GT and a number of Honda Civic EXs. Completely underrated and bashed by car mags, this Ion is amazing.

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  Fast vehicle - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Dom - August 6 - 5:20 am

  When my wife and I bought the ION II we then checked the VUE and really liked that we had to purchase it. Its a lot of fun to drive with its 250 horsepower, for the price we think its unbeatable.

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  Nothing I dont like about my Vue! - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By diane - August 5 - 5:53 pm

  I love the way my Vue handles and it holds the road in the rain very well. I bought the base priced Vue (which was a good value) and didnt need to look for one with option packages because it had everything I really wanted as standard already. It has great style, better looking than the Honda CRV. The air conditioner works extremely well and fast. I live in a very hot climate! Friends and family say backseat is very comfortable and roomy. GM and Saturn did an outstanding job with this one!

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  Happiest I have ever been with a new car - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Love It! - August 5 - 4:56 pm

  I love my Vue Red Line. Previously I had been driving an Eclipse, and had just accepted that winter driving had to be miserable. The Vue handles very well in the snow, and with the XM and heated seats, bad weather is no longer a nightmare.

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  Overall - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Kay Rose - August 5 - 1:50 am

  I also have a Lincoln Towncar and I would rather drive my Saturn Sky any day, but being I live in Mich I store it during the winter. I love the way the car handles, the style and the comfort. The only thing I dont care for is where the extra cup holder is located as I tend to bump it with my elbow while driving which opens it. Many people have stopped me and asked what kind of car it is and it has also been mistaken for a Corvette. I would like to have the option of getting an automatic roof but wouldnt give up the car for the little inconvenience of manually raising or lowing the roof as it is really simple and made so it is only a one person car.

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  I love my 2005, 3.5L 6cyl VUE! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Susan - August 1 - 4:46 am

  When shopping for my SUV, I looked at the RAV4, CRV, and the Ford Escape. The VUE combined the best of all of them, as far as styling and handling. I have a V6 engine, and most of the options, and I think the options really add to the feel of the car; specifically, the larger 17" wheels and the leather seats. The only changes I would suggest would be to move the window controls to the doors (in the front), put "grab- handles" somewhere in the front area near the front passengers head, and maybe improve lumbar support on the drivers side. I would buy my car over again...it has the feel of a small car and the room and power of a large one. I love it!

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  Great Car!!! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Jon Allen - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car!!! I was a little skeptical at first about the interior design, but after driving it for a few days, I absolutely loved it. I am a Saturn owner for life now.

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  Good Value - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By gaesser - July 31 - 2:00 am

  The Saturn Vue is an excellent value for all that you receive. Ample room for five, seats that fold down (we fit our ten foot Christmas tree in by folding back the front passenger seat. Great gas mileage for an SUV. I have had people stop me and ask to look at it, like it was a much more expensive vehicle.