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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  2004 Saturn Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Disappointed - March 12 - 10:06 pm

  This is my first Saturn. Bought it 1 year ago when it had about 83,000 KM. It now has 90,000 KM. It has always had a noisy engine. Recently the check engine light came on and I brought it to the shop. A wheel bearing was shot - had to be replaced. Cost $300. Then it started making a strange noise and jerking when I drove. Back to the shop. The transmission is shot. They researched the vehicles history and found out it has already had the transmission replaced at 80,000 KM, and this will be its second transmission replacement. It was going to cost $6,000 for a new transmission, luckily the dealership agreed to pay for it, even though we had no extended warranty on the Vue.

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  The Best Crossover Ever! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By ExMiniVanMom - March 12 - 8:36 am

  This is the best SUV ever! It has all of the features I would want in a minivan, but its not so I do not feel like the typical soccer mom when I drive it. The dual sunroofs are cool. I love OnStar. (I have already used it to unlock my car doors twice.) The navigation system is helpful when we are driving in a unfamilar location. The memory settings are great because my husband likes to take the Outlook whenever he can and the memory settings make switching between drivers easy. XM Radio is entertaining when I am stuck in traffic or waiting for my kids. The automatic liftgate is fantastic when my hands are full. The DVD system is great for screaming kids. You must test drive this SUV!

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  Big car for little money - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Harold - March 12 - 12:50 am

  I bought my Saturn ION coupe in June of 2004 and I love it! I never have had a problem with it outside of regular service. I just feel that for what I paid I have gotten alot in return. I especially love the interior design and sporty feel.

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  Practical - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By wedge - March 11 - 6:40 am

  A good SUV for the money (you get what you pay for) but plan on keeping it as the depreciation is fast and aggressive. Its a light SUV so its fast for its size. OEM tyres are awful/borderline dangerous and not many choices for replacements. Paint quality is pretty poor too. Its a good family car and a practical wagon for general use. Front suspension problems, fuel pump issues, battery issues, tyre issues in first 10k. Buy a rear rubber mat. It makes squeaks a lot quieter!

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  Road Manners to be Proud Of - 2009 Saturn Outlook
  By markp - March 9 - 4:26 pm

  This vehicle handles and feels more like a large upscale sports sedan than an 8 passenger SUV. If needed, there is plenty of power from the direct injection engine. The six speed transmission helps with rapid acceleration and the highway gas mileage. However, you have to have a light touch on the gas pedal to obtain decent gas mileage in stop and go driving. The interior is spacious, the seats are extremely comfortable and the sunroof and backseat skylight are a nice touch.

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  GM Knew Better - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By everyseason - March 4 - 11:48 pm

  I have a 2007 Saturn Vue 2.4L that the timing belt broke and caused my engine to fail. I am now looking at a $4000 repair bill. GM knew about this engine and the timing belt issues and still has refused to do anything about it. States have tried to get a recalls, however, GM has fought the issue. My engine blew going down the hwy. How safe is that. GM shame on you! I am embarrassed to be a granddaughter of a GM dealer for over 60 years. Never again will I or my family buy GM!

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  Impressive - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Doug - March 4 - 11:13 am

  The Relay is easier to drive than my old Chevy Venture. I liked how easy it was to remove all of the seats out of the Relay, and the spacious room it created to put a patio set in with room to spare.

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  2007 ION Mold issue - 2007 Saturn ION
  By E Frickert - March 2 - 10:23 pm

  Ive had a continuing problem with a mold smell (and actual mold growing) from the engine compartment into the interior cab. Ive had it in for service twice and the third time today. They are trying to push "environmental" issues as the cause but I cannot believe every ION in Florida has mold issues under the hood. I am curious if any other users had this same problem

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  Satisfied so far!! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By debismsn - March 2 - 10:00 am

  For a 4 cyl, its a great car. I drive it far & wide. Its a pretty comfy long distance ride for 3-4 people. For driving around the city, 5 people sit very comfortably. It handles like a car & its not humongous like most of the other SUVs. I love it!

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  Saturn VUE equals junk - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Mtfloo - March 1 - 7:30 am

  We have had our VUE for 7 years. We had to replace the wheel bearings, $450 each, between 50,000 and 65,000 miles. It now has 107,000 miles and guess what.. we are once again replacing them. What other vehicle has to do this. Also, motor in rear window wiper gone after 60,000 miles, cord to raise the hood has had to be replaced twice. The clutch in the 4 speed was replaced at 40,000 miles, I could go on and on. Those cars are junk! GM was very smart to dump them. Although some work out ok, most dont.