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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  Great car! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Molly - March 15 - 7:03 pm

  We bought this car new and have put a lot of miles on it already, and havent had to do anything to it other than change the oil. For an SUV it has good gas mileage, not 30 like they say but 27ish. The only complaints we have is the interior stains very easily, spill water and it stains. Also the seal on the passenger window went bad right away and leaks all over the seat. Other than that is has been excellent! Weve driven it across the country a couple of times and it is very reliable and comfy. Just needs new upholstery. Enjoy!

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  What a Vue! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Dan - March 13 - 1:16 am

  Bought this car for my wife because of the all wheel drive and she likes the way it looks. I agreed because of the Honda engine and transmission! Interior plastics seem OK, but there is a rattle from the back of the car that seems to be from the grocery organizer that is terribly annoying. There is some wind noise from the windshield above 45MPH, but you get used to it. The interior is quite roomy for how small the exterior looks. I thought the gas mileage would be a little better; we drive mostly 2 lanes and highway and we are struggling to see 20MPG.

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  The VUE is a GREAT VEHICLE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By DeanT - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt even thinking of buying a VUE. I was looking at the minivans and stopped in the Saturn dealership. Since they didnt make a minivan (in OCT of 03) I took a station wagon home for my wife to see. She didnt like it but asked if they had an SUV? I went back to to dealer and tried a VUE. I was sold in a minute! What a confortable ride and unbelievable power in the V^ motor. When my wife first drove it she saie "Wow! You have to be careful with it because it has so much power" I have no doubt buying it was the right decision, even after now driving it more than 8,000 miles.

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  THIS CAR IS OK - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By WENDY - February 16 - 4:43 am

  I traded in my saturn ion for this vue for myspace due to adoping a child, but feel that i less space than i did. It is very sluggish going up hills and i agree that for the weight of the vehicle i am not sure making a 4 cyl was a good idea.

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  Leaks and scratches - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By jwa287 - February 15 - 4:20 pm

  Second time in 2 months we brought our Outlook in for a water leak. the first time, the rear sunroof leaked and absolutely soaked the carpets, mats, and center console in the front of the car. The second time, water was dripping from the drivers side near the side airbag hn to my wifes lap. We were told "dont park on an incline!" The back hatch door has no clearance, so it is wearing a groove into the rear bumper. We were told, "nothing we can do." The remote start didnt work for months. Plastic holding the seat belt was "razor sharp (Mechanics words) and is cutting a groove into hard plastic interior surfaces. No more Saturns for us!

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  Very Happy - 2004 Saturn ION
  By saturn guy - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I love the car. I bought it knowing it was not a "Diet BMW." If you want a great car that performs well and wont break the bank, this is DEFINATELY the car for you. Also: I have owned 5 new cars and my experience at the Saturn dealership was the best by far.

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  2003 green ion 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By flinch - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I drive a lot every day. This has been a comfortable car with a large trunk and the seats are easily adjustable for many combinations, The offset dash is easy to read with controls user friendly. The interior is spartan but not unattractive. Not enough storage space around the front seat and you have to have a lighting package to get anything but a overhead dome light. I have 11,000 miles on it and have not been sorry for one minute. A great little car.

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  A unique "AMERICAN" compact SUV - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Richie "C" - February 6 - 3:10 pm

  This is my 5th Saturn, and my 2nd Saturn Vue in the last 5 years. I have found the dealership and the Saturn Company to be a most pleasant experience when it came to buying another Saturn! I purchased the 2005 Saturn Vue Red Line (with 250 horsepower and 2 wheel drive)and not only does this SUV handle real well, but the power is remarkable! I honestly feel that the news media and the magazine editors have done the Saturn Corp. a real disservice in the last few years. My Saturns have been very reliable and the dealer service has been excellent! The folks at the Saturn Plant in Tenn. have worked very hard to produce the best vehicle that they can and they seem to care.I Love my Saturn! I have told many friends about Saturn and after test driving one have bought a Saturn!

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  Im happy with my Saturn ION - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Kayla - February 2 - 12:16 pm

  Ive had my 2006 ION for about a month now. Decent on gas. The pick up is a bit slow but otherwise I love my new car! Its reliable, comfortable and cute!

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  a great car - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By bob47 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  i am amazed at how great this car is, no problems at all. go to the dealer for oil changes and tire rotations only.