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:

• 

  Good SUV - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jean Lee-Jackson - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Very good auto, no problems to date, good dealer support

• 

  Bad gas mileage - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Better Gas Mileage - April 6 - 3:40 pm

  I have owned mine for 10 months with 27,284 miles. I use it for work and put on 600 or more highway (70 mph) a week. The problem is that I have never got more than 21 mpg. I bought the front wheel drive for the 26 mpg. Wrong! It has been in to the dealership for seven things that were broken. The transmission got a free upgrade, but shifts worse on hills or on ramps. I would suggest a different product than the outlook or Acadia from people I have talked to. I have two teacher friends with big families who thought the same as me. A nice vehicle that can fit a lot of kids and get good mpg. All of us agree city average is 13-15 mpg. HWY MPG 20-22. not 26!

• 

  2000 mile review - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Kurt M - April 5 - 12:06 am

  The Saturn has been a pleasant purchase. The car delivers its rated 34 mpg. I have checked the mileage with both high and low octane gas. No difference, so use the low octance. The manual shift is smooth, and the clutch is responsive. It keeps up with highway traffic at 70 mph. I do not find that the ride is rough or noisy. The car corners well. The instrument panel is easy to get used to. In fact, I like it better than the standard location. The interior is a little on the cheap side. The switches are easy to operate and read. It seats 4 comfortably on short trips. The trunk is spacious. For a low cost new driver or "drive to work" car, it has been worth the cost.

• 

  No problems with our VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By no problems here - April 2 - 10:10 pm

  Purchased new in 5-04. Purchased the 5-spd for the great gas mileage. Perhaps I just picked a good one, but we havent really had any problems. I did have a solenoid go out in the first 10k, but everythings been great since then. Its an inexpensive car, not a BMW, and for the price its been great. I purchased the seat cleaning option since I have young kids. My car looks new inside and out at 42k and runs great, too!

• 

  Overall - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Lindsey - April 2 - 7:20 pm

  Overall, I am esxtremely happy with my purchase. The only things that bother me would be that there are no handles on the back doors so the passengers can let themselves out (someone else must do it for them). I also do not like the vents for the AC/Heater. The steering wheel seems to block some of the air coming out. Other than that, I couldnt ask for a better car!

• 

  I like it! Mostly.... - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By dwane - March 29 - 8:40 pm

  I love the looks and amenities of my Vue. This is my second Saturn, my first was a 2007 Vue Hybrid. But the AWD has 600 extra pounds and 70 more horsepower. It will make a big difference winters. The ride is very assuring, plenty of power for passing and hills. The interior is very classy. And I really like the curves of the body shape. My one reservation is the seating. I am a large guy, and the seats are uncomfortable after just a few minutes. The seat hinge and the hanger that the seat cushion support hangs off of cause a degee of discomfort. Perhaps as everything wears in that will abate. But the seat depth is to short, I could use another inch or two.

• 

  Tough Compitition - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Cgr80 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Ion3 is in every way better than the past SL2. The SL2 gave the Escort a good run for the money...I thing that they needed to let "S- Series" go down in history, like the Cavalier has done. Since theyve changed it, it should stay that way. Standard features are those of a luxury car, and it makes me feel good to say to a stranger, oh, the lights cut off themselves, but thanks!

• 

  Leos vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Leo Sejnowski - March 29 - 10:00 am

  gas tank gauge not working at 12000 miles. no other problems.

• 

  Having problems with mine! - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Crystal - March 25 - 2:26 pm

  I bought this Vue last month and I am not happy with it at all. Within two weeks of getting it (brand new) the stabilitrak lights came on and needed to be serviced. They said it was a loose fuse. They supposedly fixed it. A week later it popped back on. Now they dont know what the problem is. I have to wait until it happens again and spend 2 more hours at the facility to get it fixed.The bluetooth is a pain. People are having problems hearing me and the clock disappears when Im on it. But whats even worse, is the cupholders! They are fixed in a way that they are so far down and blocked that you have to pull cups from the top and it spills your drinks. and two cups will not fit in there.

• 

  Love it after 1 year - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By bselmon - March 16 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Relay for 1 year, The dealership warranty replaced a door motor and a radio , no questions asked. People remark how comfortable the 2nd row captains seats are. I like the pickup and the rear ultrasonic sensors, great for tight parking spots. The kids love the DVD. We love the car and have been treated well