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:

• 

  So Far So Good - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Saturn2 - July 18 - 10:56 am

  Bought this used with 15,000. So far it has been reliable and economical for a large vehicle.

• 

  3 Years and Still Satisfied Actual 22 to 38 mpg. - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By alero02 - July 17 - 6:18 pm

  Our 2009 Saturn Aura XR 2.4L 6 speed now has 31,000 miles and we still love it. It still compares well with its sleek exterior to newer models from Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Nissan and Kia. The interior is very up scale with leather seats and contrasting trim, plus there are luxury items you might expect only on pricier cars. From the 6 CD XM radio that plays regular CDs or mp3 with song titles and other info, to the dual front power seats the car is comfortable, sporty, and up scale. We also have had excellent follow up service from out local Chevrolet/Cadillac/Buick dealership for all regular maintenance and even a warranty replacement recently on the driver side door arm rest.

• 

  Definetly Car of the Year - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Car of the Year!!!! - July 16 - 4:33 pm

  I love my car. Best car Ive ever owned. The HP is awesome, the cabin is very quiet. My kids love this car, specially the wireless headphone! The trunk is huge Great car all around.

• 

  Handles like a dream - 2003 Saturn ION
  By LuvMyIon1 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  My Ion is a 5-speed. I average 32 MPG around town and love the way it handles. We used to own an Acura Legend and this handles much the same way.

• 

  Good car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By ricksher - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car for those that are looking for a car that is not going to cost them 20,000. This car had what we wanted and it drives great!

• 

  Great mileage. Fun to Drive - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Olddrvr - July 10 - 2:23 am

  Bought this car for the mileage and am getting 32 mpg overall. Surprised on how much fun it is to drive. The 5spd shifts smooth, is peppy and car corners excellent. The large cargo area with independent folding rear and front seats and rear doors make this coupe a great value. Might want larger outside mirrors, better vision out rear side windows and a little more response in the steering. Otherwise its much better than adverised and must be a completely different car than the editors drove? Would recommend.

• 

  Great Outlook for Saturn - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Sandy - July 8 - 11:00 pm

  I traded in my Toyota Sienna for this Outlook. It seemed to be the right fit. It is big enough for my family of five and all their stuff, but not too big. It has plenty of space, handles exceptionally well, and best of all it is not a mini-van. I test drove an Explorer, Vera Cruz, Acadia and the Outlook. The Acadia and the Outlook were the only ones big enough. I honestly feel that the Saturn label has more of a younger, hipper image than GMC. My husband and I both love it,it is cool enough for my teenagers, and for my eight year old. From the outside it doesnt look like it would have a third row, but it is amazing how much room there is in the third row.

• 

  Buyers remorse - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By POd in Pittsburgh - July 8 - 6:23 pm

  Never regretted a purchase of anything as much as this vehicle. I have had it for 14 months and I am in the process of buying a Dodge Nitro. I cant wait to be out of it. Nothing but problems. Airbag, stereo, hood, wipers, windows, heater fan...should I go on? Oh and it has had to be towed 4 times for a dead battery! Gas mileage is no where near what it is advertised at.

• 

  I love my ION! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By hritch - July 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. The small steering wheel is just my size (56" female driver) and the center mounted panel is easy to look at. I love all the features about this car that I wouldnt expect to find on a car under $20,000 -- power everything, auto headlights, remote entry, cruise control, ABS, sunroof, etc.

• 

  The US is in trouble - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Artsy341 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  We love the package: big cargo area, 4 cyl economy, CVT technology, non-dent panels. We hate the shoddy "we can save a nickle if we use this flimsy cloth" mentality of domestic manufacturers. Its been in the shop three times first year to replace: tie rod end, sprung gas cap cover and wheel bearing. Do you know how many miles you have to drive a Honda to go to the shop three times? Have you ever heard of a Toyota needing major suspension parts inside of 150K? Sayonara - we are off to buy a Honda Element (taking it in the shorts on a trade in and all!)