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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  Redline - 2007 Saturn ION
  By madfry - April 3 - 12:40 pm

  This vehicle is a very quick and fuel efficient for the amount of HP that it puts out. It does have limited rear leg room but its a coupe with power its made for the single people who drive around for fun, though children fit well in the back adults no. By me driving the speed limit and not gunning it which i did for the first week it on average will get 225 miles per 10 gallons of gas or 3/4 tank of fuel. If I drive it like normal I get about 210-215 per same amount of fuel, but it depends on the Driver my GF drove it for a week and got 230 from 10 gals. Wonderful car though!

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  Stylish and Economical - 2006 Saturn ION
  By M. T. - April 2 - 11:13 pm

  After being an avid Honda Accord owner for the last 10 years, I was looking for a change and similar quality vehicle for a lower price. After researching every possible vehicle, I fell in love with the look and the amenties of the Saturn. It has everything I want (Sunroof, automatic, nice stereo, good looks, plus even more than I expected--OnStar and XM radio with an MP3 at a great affordable price. The purchase of the vehicle was nonstressful and they accomodated the sale to my finances. Im looking forward to many wonderful years with my Saturn and hope you give this car the chance it deserves. I never thought Id buy anything except Japanese, but am not regretting it.

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  Car That Works - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By FirstAura - April 2 - 3:50 pm

  Have owned a string of Hondas, Nissans and Toyotas and the Aura competes well with these vehicles while coming with more content at thousands less price. It was initially difficult to accept that it was a GM car. The 4 cyl performance works on hills and entering highways. Ride is quiet and will get better once OE tires are gone but that will take a long time. Mileage results so far support the EPA estimates. Looks great particularly since it comes with 17" wheels. Front seats are comfortable and adjust to fit (electric). Bluetooth for phone is a plus. Vehicle had preferred and convenience packages as no cost options. 5 star across safety!

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  2004 Vue is Excellent!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Jkn1965 - April 2 - 2:00 am

  After test driving many vehicles, including the Ford Escape and the Nissan Xterra, I bought my VUE. This car, although I only have had it less than a month, is awesome. It has excellent power - 6.5 seconds for 0-60. As well, the interior is very easy to fall in love with and has made marked improvements from 2003 (which I test drove as well and decided to wait). The new material has really made the ride smooth and QUIET - even under hard accelleration.

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  Best Saturn Yet - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By KEN - March 31 - 1:03 am

  This is my 5th Saturn. All sports coupes until now. Im 63"and it is a little hard getting in and out and my head touches the roof, but it is a convertible and the top should be down. We bought the bluestone color. Looks sharp. Get a wind screen. It really helps.

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  Unpleasant noises - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Roger - March 30 - 10:40 pm

  Many virbration noises on rough pavement. Wind noise is bad at highway speed, especially on windy days. Very little interior storage in passenger area. Coffee cup holders are small. Interior materials appear very cheap and ill fitting.

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  This vehicle s**ks! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By AS_2015 - March 30 - 2:24 am

  too many issues similar to the other consumers here... although I bought the vehicle used summer of last year, transmission was replaced (shortly after I bought it.. luckily I bought an extended warranty on it which covered about 2/3 of the costs.. ), acceleration (or lack of...), rack & pinion needed to be replaced this past summer, water pump, alternator/starter, electrical issues.. in other words.. I think you can use the word "Lemon" in this case and it sounds like the same for others posting their comments here as well... if this is what the GMC Acadia is like since the Outlook and the Acadia are similar in parts, service , etc. , I am going to steer away from GMC!!

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  A true lemon! Starting difficulties! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Mike S. - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the car that killed Saturn. Mine was plagued with electrical problems: "Passlock" malfunctions made the car unstartable at times. (2 column passlock switch assemblies replaced and the problem came back a 3rd time. A $300+ dealer repair if out-of- warranty.) The sensor in the anti- freeze overflow failed. Left headlight problem due to wiring harness wear. Recall for turn signal mal-function. Noisy McPherson struts in winter. A harsh ride, especially in winter. Cheap- looking seats and interior trim. Only pluses: good gas mileage and no rust due to plastic body parts. A mediocre end to the Saturn legacy. Basically a small Chevy with plastic side panels. Too bad.

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  Stormy is an amazing vechile - 2005 Saturn ION
  By L. Kelly - March 28 - 12:03 pm

  So far my experience with my ION has been wonderful. I have only had it for a few days but the ride over all has been great. The kids really like it to.

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  Saturn Outlook Excels - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By GlennG - March 28 - 3:10 am

  We have been driving our Saturn Outlook XE AWD for a few weeks now and must say that we have never had such an enjoyable new car thrill which only grows the more we drive it. With a combination of a growing family and rising fuel prices we needed a car which would come to the rescue. The Saturn Outlook was the solution period. Compared to all other competitors (especially the so-called high quality foreign models) Saturn Outlook delivers an enormous level of cabin space, power and fuel-economy. The absolutely stunning handling and ride of this car just blew me away. Braking and road presence feed back to the driver make this respond like something much smaller. Wow