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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  The Resurrection of Cadilliac - Reprise - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By DWS - October 25 - 4:33 am

  My wife has had this car for two days, and I am so impressed, I had to write this. This is a great car. It is amazingly quiet, comfortable, has great vehicle dynamics and handling, and looks great. We also have a 2006 Corvette Z06, and a 2001 Z06, and I like to drive this Aura XE. The dealership experience was excellent. My sister has driven, or more correctly beaten, a Saturn for over 12 years. Now Saturn has added great styling, handling, and fun to the formula.

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  Great Car! - 2009 Saturn Sky
  By Sky Rider - October 24 - 8:20 pm

  The manual top is lightweight and easy and quick to put up and down. The mileage is actually better on the Red Line - they got it backwards. And most people get better mileage than the EPA estimates. I average 32-35 on the freeway and about 26 in town. You want to have fun & meet people - then buy a Sky ! People flock to it.

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  I love my Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By kristen - October 24 - 10:00 am

  The best of everything

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  Saturn finally gets style - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By vibn04 - October 21 - 4:36 am

  I can say Saturn really, finally, looked at design and style. This was always second to safety and reliability which is a good thing, yet you cant let these things go in a market flooded with competition. People want to feel good and enjoy what they drive in on top of having a safe and reliable car. This car has only been in my driveway roughly a week but feels great to have a car sonew it turns heads and makes people think,"what is that car and who makes that?" I love it so far and Im very happy with what I purchased.

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  Sexy car, Great Look! Everyone asks what it is - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Deb Christopher - October 20 - 2:50 am

  The wait was worth it. Pictures do not do this car justice. Sexy, sporty and unique best describe this car. The price is unbelievable. No one believes how resonable it is. The common question is what kind of car is it. When told Saturn, they are surprised. Dont be. I owned an SC2 and was pleased with the reliability and how inexpensive it was to own. I will never sell either car. My SC2 is my winter car now and my Sky my summer toy! Im in love with my SKY My license plate says it all "Fly Away" in my sky.

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  Love this car - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Brian - October 18 - 8:20 am

  Believe it or not I get 37mpg on highway with my 5spd 4cyl VUE and my father who has the same but auto still gets an impressive 32mpg. Mine handles like my old Mazda Miata, grabs curves and is great with acceleration. I love this car.

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  The experts are wrong - 2003 Saturn ION
  By jdt141 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I had a lot of trouble finding a car that I liked. I drove a lot of cars trying to find what i liked - a Mazda 6, Subaru WRX, Ford Focus, chevy cavalier, and the Ion. The 6 and the WRX were more than I wanted to spend and the WRX was WAY too small for that kind of money. As for the focus, well - this car beats it hands down. It has more pickup, more legroom, and a bigger trunk. The things I initially liked about the focus were the things I didnt like about the Ion (Weird Instrument cluster & small steering wheel). The Ion hauls, has lots of room, and drives wonderfully. great control and lots of passenger space. the suicide doors are very useful too.

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  Awesome Aura! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By ALEX1942 - October 16 - 2:23 am

  I already put 3200 miles on my XR, and must say this car gets more fun everyday. The handling is great, as is the acceleration. I get lots of curious looks from people, trying to work out what kind of car it is. I dont think that will last long, because when the word gets out about this car, Saturn will sell a ton of them. I traded in a Mercedes Benz for mine, and I had a few people raise their eyebrows when I said I had gotten a Saturn. However, nobody questioned my descion once they saw it or drove it. Great job Saturn!

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  10 for the Roadster! - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Bolton - October 15 - 5:13 pm

  This car is fun, fun, fun! I was skeptical at first because I couldnt see the side of the vehicle when I was driving, then I finally figured out that I didnt need to see the side by turning my head because I could see the whole side in side mirror. I am a teacher and my students are fighting over who will drive it to the prom!

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  Great car, Fun to Drive - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Craig - October 15 - 4:53 pm

  I have had my Sky for 4 months, and have 12,000 miles on it now. I bought the chili pepper red with black interior. Handles great. Everywhere I go, it turns heads. Have to take extra time everywhere I stop because of people wanting to look and talk about it. I havent had any problems with it at all. Only taken it to the shop for oil changes and tire rotation. I am getting about 28mpg average. This surprised me. I love this car!