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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  Passenger air bag - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By chagrined - November 8 - 10:46 am

  Great all around auto except for the front passenger seat. The imbedded sensor is unreliable in my vehicle. My wife weighs 135# and the airbag indicator frequently show no passenger sitting there. The dealer tells me there is nothing he can do. Saturn Customer Assistance tells me that it is operating according to specs, or perhaps a leather seat would be better. Go figure that a 135# weight does not register on a sensor designed to activate at 80#. I love the car but will take advantage of my states lemon law if no solution is offered.

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  Luck of the draw - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By trek - November 7 - 1:16 am

  An odd vehicle that I bought because my wife liked/wanted it. Initially I didnt think like it much at all. Weve used this Vue to tow, haul and carry everything from sea kayaks to dirt bikes as well as a 4000lb trailer across the USA. Its been in the snow in Canada and the desert SW heat as well as off road trails in various parts of the country (after decent tires were added). Its an odd vehicle that has been clobbered by depreciation but I have to say out of the European, Japanese and American vehicles Ive owned over the years, this thing has been the little engine that could. Great family car too. The dealers on the other hand, are so bad I will not darken their doors. Ever.

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  Astra 3dr XR - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By JK Anderson - November 6 - 1:23 am

  I bought this car in May 08. Traded in an 07 MX5. We needed more room. This car is a "gas". It is almost as much fun to drive as the Miata. Two weeks after purchase I made a 4500 mile road trip. Mileage beat my expectations. 40 mpg on the high side vs 32 worst case (highway). It handles like a slot car at any speed. This is an excellent low priced car. Very European. I am amazed there are not more on the road in this country.

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  Was Great! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rolo - November 3 - 1:13 am

  We purchased this vehicle brand new and have had it for 6 years. It has always been a very reliable vehicle but when there has been an issue and something need to get fixed it has always been a very expensive repair. For example rotors, brakes, the 100,000 mile tune up, but now we have had 2 repairs in the last month the first cost $1,200 and the second one is $2,500, both have been engine problems. So now we are going to say good-bye to our Saturn.

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  OUTLOOK the real full size SUV - 2009 Saturn Outlook
  By Dan Jones - November 2 - 7:43 pm

  Purchased this vehicle to replace my Dodge Grand Caravan I bought new and drove 10 years driving 110,000 miles, the purchase of my 09 Outlook was a very great choice. Love this car and the size and performance are top-of- the-hill. Wish the mpg was a little better, average 19-21 on reg- unleaded.

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  Glad thats over... - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Gregory - November 2 - 11:00 am

  I hate to bash this car, it got me around for bout 7 years and over 100k, but: This cars been my rival the entire time- Pros: This thing is pretty safe. I have been in 3 notable accidents (most recently fatally colliding with a deer) which have left me completely safe and confused that my vehicle had collided with something! Cons- This whole car (Including critical engine components) is made of cheap plastic, prone to dissentegrate and collapse in dire, drastic and expensive ways. Its all hunky dory til your engine almost seizes or your shifter breaks, leaving you in 1st gear and 30miles from the nearest soul. Thanks, Saturn.

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  2nd Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By sebovol - November 2 - 10:43 am

  Great gas mileage, 25mpg average. Roomy in both front and back. 64" and dont even need to put front seat all the way back. Plenty of room in back still. Easy to get in an out of. Sunroof is great! Great pickup. Very economical.

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  Distraught with Ion II mpg - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Gayla - November 2 - 10:33 am

  Originally, my review of this car was very bad, because it had to be towed back to the dealer <10 days after purchase. However, since then it has proved itself as a dependable vehicle. The only issue I still have with it is the mpg. This is a manual transmission, and was claimed to get 34 hwy, and I forget the city, was it 27 mpg or 24 mpg? Im getting about 28 mpg highway. I could enjoy the car if it got anywhere close to the claimed mpg. Im probably getting somewhere close to 20 mpg city, but I cant be anywhere near certain because it is never the case that I do all city driving. The 1984 Honda CRX with the fuel efficient 1.3 liter engine got 55 mpg hwy, 45 mpg city.

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  Its Been Good to Me - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By franmorr1966 - November 1 - 2:14 am

  This car has been reliable and comfortable. I have nearly 82,000 miles on this car and other than replacing the rear wiper motor (after warranty), the car has only needed normal wear and tear service.

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  SATURN VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By arie - November 1 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE OWED AN SUV AND I AM THRILLED WITH IT. THE RIDE IS GREAT AND I AM SO PROUD OF IT ON THE ROAD. FROM NOW ON I WILL ALWAYS BUY A VUE.