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:

• 

  Get Yourself Noticed - Big Time! - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Jayne - May 1 - 1:50 pm

  The first thing you notice when driving the Sky is that you are noticed. This is the sexiest car on the road today bar none. The handling is far beyond my expectations and the torque provided by the standard engine is adequate in my opinion. If you cant afford a Vette get the Sky. Its like driving from the cockpit of a fighter jet.

• 

  GM has a winner - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By stevep - April 27 - 11:13 am

  I like the interior almost as well as the exterior. In 1 word: fabulous! The top is easy to put up and take down contrary to some reports. This is my first convertible, and I expected much more wind noise with the top up, and was pleasantly suprised it was quieter than Id expected. Handling is excellent, and mileage is respectable for what it is, a convertable roadster. Anyone who doesnt like this car either has kids or dogs, or needs/wants too much stuff around them at all times. This car wasnt intended for the masses. Space for two is all I need. The price makes it a real value, and it makes me feel good that GM has finally made a car that generates this much interest from foreign car shoppers.

• 

  Shifting made fun - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By liles65 - April 26 - 11:16 pm

  Saturn has made shifting fun again with the Astra and despite the small 1.8L engine this car has a surprising amount of pep. I got the basic XE model with 5 speed manual because I went for price versus luxury items. The base model comes with standard equipment like cruise control which you would have to pay extra on other brands. The seats are very comfortable and there is plenty of torque to push you back into your seat. All your controls are literally at your fingertips and there is very limited outside noise. The stock Goodyear Eagles grip the road and provide a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride. Plenty of room for the average driver and good views all around.

• 

  Great Car! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Tom McCullough - April 26 - 9:03 am

  We bought the Electric Lime VUE Redline. We had looked for months for this color. The car is fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. Our car is a pleasure to drive. Handles well on the highway and has plenty of pick up with the V6 AWD. We have never been so satisfied with a car and have hand many offers from people to buy it from us.

• 

  Fine Ride - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Driver8 - April 24 - 2:46 pm

  An excellent vehicle for what it is intended for. Buyers need to know what they are looking for in a vehicle. The Outlook has great comfort, quietness, good ride quality, and luxury (XR). Steering has good feel and weight, but you are not going to carve canyons like a Porsche. This is a great looking and performing FAMILY vehicle with a good dose of luxury and it evidences quality.

• 

  You will love it too - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Bart - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic Buy Big trunk Engine Type: Four-cylinder 2.2 Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 140 @ 5,800 Torque (ft-lb @ rpm): 145 @ 4,400 Braking System: Front disc/rear drum Steering System: Variable assist power steering Suspension Type (front): Independent strut, stabilizer bar Suspension Type (rear): Semi- independent torsion beam, stabilizer bar Tire Size (front): P195/60R16 Tire Size (rear): P195/60R16 Curb Weight (lbs.): 2,769 Recommended Fuel: Regular unleaded Fuel Tank Capacity (gal): 13.5 EPA Fuel Economy (mpg): 24 City 32 Highway

• 

  1st Timer - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By jakrabits wife - April 17 - 7:03 am

  This is our first Saturn we have owned and it is by far the best vehicle. I love the room it has and the fold away cargo, I get a lot of compliments on our Vue. We have not had any major problems with it. We will definitely buy another Saturn, we are extremely happy.

• 

  Aura owner - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By ICOLBERT - April 16 - 7:50 am

  I bought my Aura Xe and drove it from York Pa. to Albequerque Nm with out a hitch. Driving 70-80 mph with the cruise control on I got 28.7 mpg. This car is what an American car can and should be. This car is so quiet that you can not hear the windshield wipers working. I owned an SC1 for five years and the only money I put into that car was tires and brake pads. I will always be a Saturn owener because thay have earned my respect by producing a quality product.

• 

  Good Choice - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By JDJR - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Wasnt planning on purchasing vue. Had looked at Escape & Forrester and thought I would eventually pick one of them as I dont really need true 4- wheel drive or a monster truck. Test drove a vue (6 cyl.)and was quite impressed. Perfect vehicle: plenty of room, adequate power, excellent ride. As a previous owner of saturn, I think their service is by far the best!

• 

  Best dollar for dollar car ever - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Traynor - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, MP3 player is gread. Centre positioned gagues are easy for everyone to read and allow a lot more front windshield for the driver