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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  Tickled Pink by new VUE - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By lovethisone - February 9 - 5:30 am

  I have only had this vehicle for 4 days and have driven it 275 miles! I cant stay out of it. This is my 3rd Saturn, the first two were the basic SL and then an Ion 2. All have been 5 speed manuals. I loved the Ion at first, it being new and all but the novelty wore off quickly. That said, my only 2 musts were a 5 speed, leather and of course A/C since I live in the south. The Vue is exceptionally roomy for a small SUV with plenty of headroom for a larger person. We are all small in my family so there is lots of room! My daughter loves the XM radio so I think we will keep it. 2 family members plan on purchasing one in the near future so Saturn must be doing something right with this one.

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  Surprisingly disappointing - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Dominic - February 7 - 3:10 pm

  Problems with this car: 1) Transmission hunts, is too quick to downshift, and feels erratic. 2) The seats are very uncomfortable for any distance driving, 3) Seat adjustment is limited, Im 5 10" and felt like I was on top of the headliner, 4) Windshield rake and seat make the rear- view mirror a giant obstacle to see around. Its a blind-spot facing forward. 5) Steering wheel remotes for cruise and radio are too small and hard to use during night-driving. 6) Interior components that scream "Im cheap plastic" combined with lousy fit and finish.

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  Why GM deserves no more of my business - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Robert Lorber - February 5 - 9:23 am

  The VUE rides and handles very well.The car has lots of power and is reasonably comfortable. But, the interior is cheap looking. The gas mileage is mediocre (I have been unable to get it past 18 mpg under any circumstance). My biggest complaint is being stonewalled by Saturn for their reneging on a commitment made to me when I bought the vehicle. When I made the purchase, I requested a privacy panel option. They told me that the existing panel design was defective and that Saturn was redesigning the panel and it would be available in 3 months time. After 3 months, I contacted Saturn and was told that this panel is not being remade and is not available. GM integrity?

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  Love our Outlook - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Kamiah Idaho - February 3 - 9:46 pm

  We bought our Saturn, after looking at many 7 passenger CUVs. The Outlook had way more room and at least as good of gas mileage as any of them. Only the Acadia was close, but it was at least $3000 more a similar model. We have had our Outlook for 6 months and have put on over 21,000 miles, with not one trip to the dealer. It has comfortably taken 6 adults (or 3 adults and 4 kids) on ski trips with all the associated gear. We have been very happy with everything. It has averaged almost 21 mpg since we bought it. I vowed never to own a dreaded mini-van, but I am so tickled with the Outlook, I dont even care if people ask if it is a type of van.

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  Transmission Failure ~ so far GM not doing anything - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Jessica Hudson Dostie - February 3 - 5:48 pm

  -25 f, 2 hours away from home, 7 pm at night, two kids in the car, and treacherous road conditions ~ transmission fails! This problem is widespread & it isnt hundred of cars affected, its thousands and probably tens of thousands . So far GM is doing nothing ~ apparently it takes people dying to issue major recalls, and even then it takes many years and investigations by various agencies. UNACCEPTABLE and CRIMINAL ! I will certainly jump on the class action lawsuit wagon, if it exists, or when it does come to fruition. This is certainly the LAST GM product I will EVER buy! Furthermore, I will take to social media so I can to tell my story and make sure others know about these cars!

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  4th Transmission now needed - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Diane - February 3 - 5:20 pm

  I purchased my Vue in 2003--after owning 2 different Saturn Sedans. 6 mos after purchase had to have both rear wheel bearings replaced. Then came the transmission problems. I am about to have the 4th transmission put in in only 96k miles. I am very angry GM will pay only 50% of the $4800 cost. I am disabled and on Social Security Disability and my funds are limited. I feel the trans should be replaced in full since this is the 4th time around for me. If anyone has any one has had any luck.

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  Great car for the money - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Bob T - February 2 - 3:50 pm

  It was time to get out of my minivan phase and into a sedan. I spent way too much time checking out the Japanese cars and ended up with the Aura. You get a wide variety of features for the money that just wasnt available on the competitors (unless I wanted to pay thousands more). And the Auras styling and comfort are first rate. The power in this car will stand up to anyone.

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  Poor gas mileage - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Samuall - February 1 - 10:00 am

  We bought this SUV because of the high gas mileage. We have been averageing 22mpgon the HWY. 3 Times we got around 28 mpg ,3 times we got 18 mpg , The rest of the time we are averageing 22 mpg. we have had it in the shop several times and there test say it is getting around 28 mpg.we mainly drive Hwy miles, We live 20 miles from any town.Customer Service tell us there is nothing wrong.The Window Sticker that came on the car " Actual mileage will veary with options, Driving conditions Driving habitsand vehicles condition. Results reported to EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates 24-29 will achieve between 20-28 city, 24-34 Hwy.

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  Saturn VUE - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By paul - February 1 - 9:26 am

  I bought a Saturn VUE in January. I have put 20k on the VUE in the past 3 months and am very satisfied. It is very peppy and the fuel economy has averaged 25-26.5 overall

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  Saturn Outlook XR - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Kurt - January 31 - 5:36 pm

  I love this vehicle.iI is the best all around SUV on the market. Seats seven and gets 25 MPG on the highway. Looks great too. Ride and handling are great.