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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  About My Saturn AWD VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By vuemomsvue - June 20 - 2:00 am

  The car is fabulous; its like riding on air; stops and starts when it should; awesomely comfortable AND easy to drive!

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  Good car, weird ad campaign - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By MattB56 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I traded a 93 Eagle Vision Tsi for this and dont miss the funky/clunky "Dodge" at all. It was time for it to go. The VUE is everything an SUV should be...roomy, with clean lines and is fun to drive. I also like to laugh at teh owners of BMW X5s & the Lexus RX300, who paid three times as much for the same sightlines and convenience thsi type of vehicle provides...

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  I Love my Vue! - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Debbie - June 18 - 10:40 pm

  I have been looking at the Vue for quite a while now. When I was researching SUVs I always went back to the Vue. I am not sorry. I love it. The gas mileage, for an SUV, is quite good. I am just sorry that GM has chosen to rid itself of Saturn. Shame on them and shame on Penske for not taking it over. Its your loss.

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  Not the best - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Astrid - June 17 - 12:30 pm

  I brought this car five years ago and it was the bes the best until I had some problems. The car was mixing fuel, coolant, and grease together and making the engine overheat. The horn stop working and so did the CD player.

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  2008 good review - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By DAVID MANGUS - June 17 - 1:20 am

  Just purchased my outlook in Nov 08. Fun to drive. Getting in and out is easy. Seat belt needs a little work

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  Would buy it again. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By coco444 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I traded in an Expedition for this car. it handles beautifully and really moves when I need to merge onto a highway.

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  A great Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By tommydee - June 15 - 10:00 am

  The V-6 engine has enough power to get you into highway traffic with no problem. The 5 speed automatic is smooth shifting and allows the engine to just loaf along at highway speeds,but downshifts readily when needed. I am tall and long legged.I find the car roomy and easy to get in and out of without banging my knees. I purchased the green vue and have received many comments . It is GREEN !!!!

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  of 70 new cars owned-- one of the best - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By mcs - June 15 - 10:00 am

  roadablity is very good. we tow this vue behind motor home and it tows very good the mileage is very good -- better than on the window sticker all in all -- best suv that we drove

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  Kays - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By KayBee - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I love this vehicle. It is my third Saturn ...... and the 6th my family has owned

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  Saturn VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Brian Murray - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 6 Saturns and by far this 2004 VUE V6 is the best of them all. It is quiet,powerful,comfortable and overall great SUV. I was not going to buy another Saturn, but when I test drove the new SUV I was sold. As always the buying experiance was the great.