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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  2009 Saturn XE - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Tbran2 - July 4 - 11:10 am

  Bought this car new for my wife after her 2006 Saturn Ion(52K flawless miles). At 3k miles this Aura is also flawless. My wife loves it (she says even more than she loves me) and in Ocean Mist turns heads wherever she goes(she says its her)... of course I have learned never to argue with a statement like that.

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  We love this car - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Allison Steed - July 4 - 3:00 am

  We absolutley love our Outlook. It is awesome in the snow and all around it has been a great vehicle for our family. We have had zero problems as long as we have owned it. We would recomend it to everyone.

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  Perfect RV companion - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RVnut - July 2 - 11:13 am

  This vehicle has been flawless from day one. The only trips back to the dealer have been for oil changes. Great ride, very comfortable, very practical. Great transportation for 4 people. Easy to get in and out of, you do not sit on the ground or have to climb up. Towes 4- wheels down like a dream.

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  My great little car! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By mcnoles - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has been wonderful! The fact that the speedometer etc... are in the center of the dash is great! I am on the short side, and it is sooooo much easier to see over the hood! This little car has the get up and go I need when I need it. I drive 120 miles round trip 5 days a week, and have simply had a blast!

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  Fun ride - 2009 Saturn Sky
  By stas - July 1 - 4:23 am

  This has been an outstanding and fun car. Great toy with an incredible amount of compliments. Truly an incredible empty nest vehicle.

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  Greenline Hybrid Review - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Nicole Wadleigh - June 28 - 2:56 pm

  Now that I have my Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid I will never own anything else. I have owned Saturns for years, but the advantage of this one is that it has cut my commuter gas bill in half! Im getting even better mileage than the dealership said I would. An added advantage is that you can use the battery to power the air conditioning or the gas (like a normal car). I have used it on both and there is no difference! So, of course, I use the battery to power the air conditioning. Both my 18 year old and my 2 1/2 year old love the comfort! And the dog loves the cargo area! Good job once again, Saturn!

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  Love my Saturn VUE - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By sjklaus - June 25 - 4:20 am

  This vehicle has been one of the most reliable, and cost efficient SUVs Ive seen. Ive been driving this for almost 5 years and will continue to do so until the wheels fall off.

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  Reach for the Sky - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Kimmiejoy625 - June 24 - 7:16 pm

  I love my Sky Redline. I have been waiting for it since the prototype was shown at the auto show. I am super happy with my purchase.

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  Oh What a Truck! It Rocks! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By KevinInOrlando - June 23 - 10:36 am

  I love this truck. I traded in an 04 Jeep Liberty for the VUE and glad I did! The VUE rides more like a car but with all the feel of a truck. Cabin noise is minimal, much less than the Liberty. Solid truck with great gas mileage.

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  The BEST Saturn YET! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Cool Jay - June 23 - 10:00 am

  When I first saw the ION I fell IN LOVE! Things like a Powerful engine smooth and quiet ride, plenty of room, great amount of trunck space and unique design. Meanwhile those uncomfortable seats that many complain about, something must be wrong with their butt because I find them very comfortable. As far as any other negative responses, this is an economy car people NOT A CADILLAC. The ION is just as good or better than any other economy car like the Civic or Corrolla and the $16K that I spent on my ION was well worth it.