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:

• 

  Saturn VUE Hybrid - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By ron - July 18 - 5:03 pm

  It drives nice, handles very well and is comforable to drive. The passenger seat could be improved for comfort by making the seat more flexible in range up and down and other adjustments. Storage is adequate for the size of the vehicle and is what we expected when we downsized.

• 

  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By frank - July 18 - 5:30 am

  An absolutely terrific car. I love it more every day. Wise move to put the Honda & Camry on the lot, as Aura has absolutely nothing to hide. For what you are paying this car is awesome.

• 

  The Mid Size SUV that Can - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By bikerbernie - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Price outstanding value for a family OEM tires are terrible (Bridgestone Dueler H/T 215/70 16) Great in WNY snow better tires would improve traction Roomiest behind the wheel over (GM) P/U trucks vans etc for my 6’1” 300lb body Horn is hard for wife to operate much pressure needed esp. in colder weather Window washers were r&r’ed because the nozzles pop out while in use A friends & my Vue blew front wheel bearings after our first tire rotation Dealer fixed problems under warrantee addressed every concern head on & promptly Best I have been treated by any dealer I would return 20000 mi later family is very happy with the vehicle

• 

  So happy - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By sooo happy - July 16 - 10:26 pm

  Excellent car. Didnt plan on buying one. Had to have it after test drive. Extremely happy with the purchase great looking car inside and out. Saturn has really stepped up their game with car.

• 

  Wonderful Sky RL - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By agm226 - July 11 - 4:06 pm

  What a great car! Fun to drive and look at. People always ask what kind of car it is! Bought special Sky luggage that fits perfect in trunk. Not a lot of room inside but geez its a convertible! Want more room? Buy a bigger car! Bought saddle bag to hold the little extras. Absolutely love everything about the car! Even the manual top!

• 

  seems to be a gm product - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By djcross - July 11 - 4:09 am

  I just bought the Vue about a week ago i know thats not to long ago but so far i love the SUV i love the way it drives an rides,i`ve seen alot of people write different things about the gas mileage,well to me it depends on how you drive the car,not car gets the gas mileage they show on the window sticker,1 thing i like is the cost to put gas in it it`s alot better @ almost $4 a gallon to have the Vue than a truck the cost to fill a truck is around $110 compare that to a Vue @ $50 big difference,,it has plenty of storage in the back if people don`t have the room they needed they should`ve bought a bigger SUV,the Vue drives like a caddy,smooth very sleak,plenty of power under the hood.,i hopes

• 

  Little Ole Lady Driver - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Elizabeth - July 8 - 5:43 am

  Excellent for enhancing the self image and the ego! Downside: very limited trunk storage so large travel bags are not an option. Almost nil available area for a large handbag or for general paper storage in the interior. For a short person, the rear view mirror vision can be limiting. No regrets on purchase just wish Id purchased the Red Line! Sassy, smart, slightly sexy and a hint of conservative!

• 

  Great value - 2004 Saturn ION
  By ChrisION - July 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my first car. I bought it on 7/31/04 and so far it has been a very good deal. For the price, the only other cars near it are the Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Echo, and Chevy Aveo, but the ION is bigger than all of those. I got the Berry Red ION1 model with Auto, A/C, and CD player. My only complaint is that the sun visors are somewhat flimsy and small. The center mounted IP is convenient since Im on the short side and its easier to see over the wheel. Id buy another one in a heartbeat.

• 

  So far so good. - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Bruce Sawyer - July 7 - 4:16 am

  Made a Vegas run in it already. Handled great. Plenty of power on the hills. Mileage is doing good, around 26 but we have less than 2,000. Will see when the engine is broken in more.

• 

  One to consider - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By American Made - July 4 - 11:40 am

  My first look, always the looks. First drive was... 1) solid vehicle 2) impressive power 3) I like it 4) how much is this? 5) looked at Mazda CX-7 (no turbo for me) 6) Honda? Looks cheap. walked away 7) Nissan Murano? nice but too expensive What a joy! I will stay "American Made" if they produce vehicles like this!