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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  Loving It So Far - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Melissa - January 3 - 4:56 am

  So far the vehicle has been a great town and city cruiser out with friends. Love the center console and rear console for second and third row passengers. Love ride quality

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  The hidden gem - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By G.C. - December 31 - 12:36 pm

  I have had the Astra of well over a year now and the longer I have driven it the more I love it. This car exudes quality from bumper to bumper. The handling is extraordinary and the fit and finish is superb. Every interior component is quilt with quality. This car drives like a proper German car should. I have driven the comparable Toyota and Mazda offering that sell well int his class and the Astra absolutely blows them away. This excellent vehicle will become a collectible when the public gets word of great it is and how it was only available in one vintage.

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  Lots of car for the money - 2003 Saturn ION
  By csdibiase - December 30 - 10:00 am

  On the road the car feels confident, with rather reassuring amount of power. On the highway the Ion feels smooth and stable at whatever the posted limit is, and then some. Off the highway the Ion feels nimble on the side streets and parking lots. The center mounted IP only takes a few minutes of driving to adjust to and allows for a smaller, sportier steering wheel. The driverÂ’s seat has more than enough adjustments to make it comfortable. There are also plenty of cubby holes for storing things

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  Amazing car! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Scott - December 29 - 9:26 am

  When the time came to replace our Saab 9-3, my wife and I did some car shopping. After stopping at the Saturn dealership, we both agreed there was no need to look any further. We test drove both the XE and XR versions. In the end, we just couldnt pass up the OHC V6 & 6 spd automatic in the XR. Wow! What a car. Definitely not what has become known as the "typical" GM car. It drives smooth and handles very well while still absorbing bumps. The engine provides ample power and the transmission, while occasionally slow to respond, shifts smoothly. My wife loves the remote start feature. This car should be on every midsize car buyers shopping list. Its definitely worth a look.

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  Love my SKY - 2009 Saturn Sky
  By Loving IT - December 28 - 10:00 am

  Great car. I bought this used with 8030 miles on it. The Sky is a great sports car, fun to drive and people just stare when you pass them on the road. The trunk space is fine, it is a small sports car. Why didnt Saturn advertise this car more? GM should pick up the Sky and keep making more of this model. Gas mileage is great, top is easy to put up and down, just a great little sexy car for a grandma who is turning 60. Find one, buy one.

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  Great Performance and Fun in a Looker - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By JP - December 27 - 9:20 am

  This is a great car to drive. Its fun and delivers on performance, both in acceleration as well as grip and suspension on the twisties. And it looks like a million bucks. After a year and half on the road, I still get shouts of "nice car" or thumbs up from pedestrians and drivers alike. Like any roadster, it does have its blemishes here and there. So if you demand high end fit and finish, take a long look before you buy. But if your main focus is performance, fun, and looks, this is a perfect 10. I dare say you will not find a better roadster on the market today in this price range.

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  My new Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By rahcat - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I have only owned this vehicle for only about 6 weeks, but have truly enjoyed the 2004 Vue. The ride is very smooth and is very quiet. I have already put 2600 miles on the vehicle. The handling on the highway is execllent and it handles very well in the city also. The gas milage averages just under 20 mph in the city and so far I have not had a long enough trip to gauge the highway mileage. There is ample space in the rear for groceries and other items (my last vehicle was an Oldsmobile Silhouette). So far, all of my expectations have been met or exceeded. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  Quad Coupe - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kmk - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased a 2004 ion quad coupe and love it! its a smooth comfortable ride...

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  1 year down the road - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Dave - December 18 - 2:56 am

  I bought an Ion3 Quad Coupe 2.4 based on the test drive. I was replacing a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. I found the Ion3 has a softer ride & corners better. Much less lean. I have not had to return it to the dealer for other than routine required maintenance. I liked my Focus but I love my Ion3. Both equipted with auto trans. The Ion3 is just a more comfortable car to drive. I have not had it on any trips on the highway, just in city driving. I check my mileage on each tank & it is about 25-26 MPG. I have no clue what the highway milage is. I am just as pleased with the car today as the day I bought it. Dent resistent panels are a plus, too bad 07 is the last year for them.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Saturnman - December 17 - 8:53 pm

  This is the 13th Saturn that I have purchased. I have found this new one to be just as good in quality as the past 4 new saturns that I have purchased. The others were used and they too were of great quality even if they were used.