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 Vue V6 AWD - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RTP - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I just bought the 04 Vue with Honda V6, AWD with curtain side airbags, upgraded sound system with DVD as options. I also looked at Honda CRV and Subaru Forester. Felt I made the right choice! Awesome power from the V6, goes straight up steep hills with no problems. Decent gas mileage. With rebates and incentives got an awesome deal. Also own a 95 SC2.

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  cant beat it for the price - 2004 Saturn ION
  By toby rensland - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have been selling saturns for almost 7 years now and finally glad to see that we are able to build a car that will compete in the japanese import market and in most cases blow them out of the water....

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  LOVE IT!!!!! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By HoopFam - January 27 - 8:00 am

  We have owned it just less than a year and I feel it is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. Have had the tranny fixed through warranty (recall) and that has helped with fuel economy. Has lots of power and is great in the snow, handled a Canadian winter with no problem at all. We have travelled with 8 adults and all loved the ride and comfort. Relatives have the Pathfinder and Edge, no comparison in any category.

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  E-ticket ride - 2005 Saturn ION
  By mytdawg - January 26 - 2:53 am

  I figured there was no way that a supercharged 4 banger was going to run at 30 mph in 4th gear without lugging. I was wrong. The powerplant is powerful and flexible. It purrs like a kitten until you need that right pedal, make sure you have a clear path if you decide to mash it. The dealer let me take their demo for a weekend. I put 500 miles on it and only gave it back to them long enough for them to prep it.

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  Just So So - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By daryl - January 25 - 11:50 am

  We purchased our VUE 5 years ago. It was still too new to do any real research. We have replaced the A/C compressor, ECM (computer), and the transmission is very difficult and expensive to work on and most places tell us to take it to the dealer. The service manager at the dealer told me that "GM dumped these transmissions on us." Our family has purchased five Saturns and the 03 VUE is definitely the low water mark for Saturn. My 97 Saturn SL-2 is still a much better vehicle than the VUE even though it is six years older.

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  Excellent ride at an affordable price... - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Tim Rozalski - January 24 - 11:36 pm

  I ordered a black Saturn VUE Redline in November of 2005. Once it came off the line and delivered to the dealership, I took delivery (12/22/05). This is my second Saturn and I am beyond pleased with the craftsmanship, durability and fuel efficiency that it offers. Handles well in the snow. As always, great jopb Saturn!

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  So Far So Good - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By John - January 23 - 9:20 am

  Purchased last SUV VUE dealer had in stock for 2007. SUV is V-6 FWD with XM radio and some other goodies which I wont go into. Gas mileage so far is good. Most I have gotten is 25.4 MPG on short trip (154 miles) and around town I get 17 to 19 MPG. If you stomp on the gas it will suck some gas. So far so good. Satisfied so far. Want to go on longer trip over Thanksgiving and check out the gas mileage. Very happy with Saturn. Think I made good choice.

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  Best Kept Secret In The Industry - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Dweezil - January 23 - 3:53 am

  The car has proven itself over 22,000 miles with gas mileage on long trips of nearly 38 [with automatic. 25-26 in Los Angeles traffic], quiet ride and its all around competence. Huge trunk and tight turning radius are benefits as well. Recent 2000 mile round trip offered sea level to mountain elevations, dry, hot weather, wind, snow and freezing temps, varying levels of traffic from insane to sparse and the car handled it all without a hitch. See for yourself. Edmunds editors give it a 5.7. Consumers give it an 8.9. The consumers have it right.

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  This car is a good step for Saturn. - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Anonymous - January 22 - 12:06 pm

  This car is a very goo thing for a dying breed of cars: Saturn. Its comfortable, has a good fuel economy. Even the far back seats have leg space for adults! Saturn prayed for a miracle and got one!

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  Love my second Saturn - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Dave - January 18 - 10:16 pm

  This is my second Saturn. I loved my 1996 Saturn SL2, wich I owned for 10 years, but my new 2006 Ion is a dramatic improvement. If you are looking for an economy car that has the room of a mid size and the smooth ride of a full size luxury car then this is the car for you. The competition may have more gadgets but this car is bigger with a nice smooth ride, as well as great pick up and decent gas mileage. Yes.. GM can make a decent car.