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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  Happy After 40 Months - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By BaustinB - July 4 - 10:56 am

  Overall, I have been happy with the vehicle. The V6 power is great when you step on the gas and the transmission is silky smooth - even after 45,000 miles. Im still on the original tires, but am searching for info on replacements (preferable something more snow-friendly). My biggest complaint revolves around the issue of noise: road noise, chassis noise, mysterious interior creaks and rattles, and wind noise. I also have a 2006 Honda Odyssey (same engine as the Saturn) and the difference in noise is night and day.

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  So far we love our VUE! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Saturn Vue - June 24 - 10:10 am

  We have only had the vehicle for a couple of months, but I think it is fun to drive and easy to handle. Its better on fuel than our mini-van was. The storage space is at a minimum, but I love the shopping compartment. So far, we are very pleased.

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  Very happy with my Ion, but..... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By drivingmyion - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle for the money. Got a great deal with the financing and college grad incentives. Very peppy little car with more storage room than you would think just looking at it. However, it has been in the shop for repairs a lot more than I would think a new car should be. 3 times in two months for warranty service. And needs to go in again soon.

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  Have an 06 Quad coupe......... - 2006 Saturn ION
  By dartyvagrant - June 19 - 3:09 pm

  This has been a fairly good vehicle. The anti-theft system is always a cloud over our heads. Never know when its going to engage and have to be reset. Wife driving-39-41 MPG, my driving at 80-85 MPH down to 32 MPG. The rear suspension is a joke! The same beam axle as the Citation of years ago. NOT independant rear suspension, ride in cramped rear seat not good. Front seats A-OK. A Chevrolet Cobalt in drag, and more money. The local Chevrolet dealer has performed all the campaigns (ign switch, power steering motor).

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  Surprised by this car - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By jrm - May 31 - 11:36 am

  This is my wifes car and I was skeptical when we bought it but it has been the most trouble-free vehicle I have ever owned (better than Civic and F-150). Ours has the Opel/Saab 3.0 V6 and 5-speed slushbox. Havent driven the newer Honda-powered models but I doubt they have the flat torque curve of this German engine (Honda engines in my experince are gutless down low but have lots of power up high). The engine is silky smooth has a wide torque band from idle to redline so it feels stronger than its advertised 171hp. Shifts are crisp and suspension is taut for an SUV. We were hit hard in this car and it protected us well (should have totaled it based on what it ended up costing to fix

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  Really Happy! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By branman102 - May 27 - 6:04 am

  Might as well start with the problems. AC compressor went, but was under warranty, the alarm is activated in cold weather due to thick lubricant in the ignition cylendar (common problem) and the clutch that is auto adjusting is set too close to the floor for my liking. Now the good stuff. Good looking car. Better looking than the comperable Japanese models in my opinion. Good gas mileage. I upgraded my plugs, keep it well maintained, use Lucas products, adjusted my driving habits and get about 20% better mileage than the EPA rating. Comfortable with plenty of room in the back for my kids. Lots of trunk room. Lots of pep in the city and on the highway when you need it.

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  Love My Saturn Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By GHStaples - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought Saturn Vue 3 months ago as winter 2d car to my Mercedes SL500 convertible. The Vue is fun to drive, safe, economical on gas, nice youthful appearance,and plenty of room. Pleasant back-up vehicle for bad weather and everyday hard chores. Four cylinder AWD has more pick up than traditional Saturns I test drove. Glad I bought it.

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  Unsure - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By zap strap - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the VUE for just over a year now. The front end squeeks and rattles over bumps,dealership replaced the front struts noise still there. Vue is going in again next week (for the 3rd time for same problem) Squeek in the rear when going over bumps, Rattle and vibration from front end over bumbs, Squeek in steering column when turning. Should be fixed next week as well (again)

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  my second saturn. more to come - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By classical - May 17 - 10:00 am

  squeek in upper bushings with only 6000 miles. replaced without issues due to excellent customer service. thats what keeps me coming back.

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  Drive Every VUE that you can - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jonj - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my VUE about 3 months ago and have had problems with it ever since. My sister also has the VUE and never has had a problem. They replaced my steering shaft, my leather, turning links, you name it. I really like my car but cant seem to stay out of the dealership. My car does not ride or feel like any other VUE that I have been in. Drive more than one before you purchase this automobile.