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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  Poor Quality - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By sosad - January 4 - 7:33 am

  I have the 2003 Vue and have had so many problems. I wish Saturn would do something to help us with the transmission problems. For those of us too honest to "accidentally" back into the salt water on the coast it is awfully expensive to replace a transmission ($5,000) when you havent been driving it for very long. I dont believe I will ever choose a Saturn product again. No wonder north american auto manufacturers are losing out to foreign cars. Cant seem to get any help from anyone at Saturn either.

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  Back to the USA - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Glenn - January 3 - 8:30 pm

  Traded Acura for new XR/V6..with every option except engine block warmer. Love the look of the car..and the classy brown-leather interior. Im 64" and the drivers position is a little cramped compared to the Acura. The position of the heated seats switch causes some problems..you turn it on with your legs getting in car..it would have been better in the center. The ignition switch on the dash also is awkward..because to reach it you almost always turn on the wipers. These things are minor..but could use a re-design. Gas mileage is better than advertised..so far. Dealer service has been excellent.

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  Best choice for my first SUV - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Mrs Hill - January 3 - 7:16 pm

  I fell in love when I drove my sisters 07 Vue and counted the days till I could get my own. The V6 has tons of power and it handles well. So far Im getting about 18.6 miles per gallon and Im happy with that. The XM radio is addicting and makes long drives nice. You cant go wrong with this SUV.

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  2nd Saturn Ive Owned!! Theyre Awesome - 2004 Saturn ION
  By rabecke - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Saturns are always reliable and economical. I am only 21 and have chosen to buy from Saturn twice. My 1996 SL1 never broke down on me and when it was time for a new one, I couldnt resist the ION Quad Coupe! Thanks Saturn!

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  Saturn ION 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By txbostont - December 30 - 11:56 pm

  The front end of the car makes dull popping sounds when driving over rough surfaces and shimmies as well. Told it was the rotors. Loud interior noise. Seats are the most uncomfortable things I have ever sat in. Cloth is cheap and stains easily. Exterior looks good. Like the body lines of the car. Engine revs up on its on accord. Transmission shifts very rough. Cheap materials used in production of this car.

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  LM in FL - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By VegasLM - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Great in the rain.

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  Dissatisfied! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By KC - December 25 - 11:00 pm

  I purchased my VUE just 2 months ago. My first VUE broke down on the side of the road 4 hours after purchase. I requested another VUE. This one lasted 3 weeks. 2 lights came on on the panel. Since then, the 2nd VUE has been in the shop off and on for 21 days. I feel ripped off. Also the dealership has not really done its part in making me happy. Therefore, I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone, ever! There have been wheel speed sensors, ABS modules, and every connector in between replaced on this VUE, yet to date the same 2 panel lights have come back on. I am so dissatisfied, it is ridiculous! I feel like I have been duped.

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  Great SUV, Great Price! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Jer - December 25 - 10:03 am

  This vehicle has been one of my best. I traded in my Jeep for my VUE and have never looked back. It is stylish enough to not feel like Im driving a minivan, but practical so that I can transport my two kids.

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  They bought it back! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By George R. Geiger - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Got a great deal (Spring sales Event)on a 2.2 4 cylinder 2wd fully loaded VUE. Loved the vehicle. My wife still owns an original Saturn. (Doesnt count for anything at Saturn) 3,000 miles translated into 3 visits to the Saturn Service Department and 3 different rental cars. The vehicle suffered reduced power on 3 different occassions at 3 different rates of speed and road conditions. Saturn couldnt fix it and bought it back under our states Lemon Law telling me I can get a replacement vehicle. That is if I wanted to pay the additional $7,000 more for a comparably equipped Vue. Yeah right!

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  Surprised by the 2.4L 4 engine - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Rex - December 24 - 6:33 am

  I bought the 4cyl model for the mileage, and though I test drove the car extensively, Im still impressed that 2.3 liters moves the car well. Im now getting 31mpg on the highway driving about 70ish. The mileage improved after a few thousand miles and a change to synthetic oil. I installed a low-flow Airhog air filter and the power and mileage improved! Impressive handling, and styling. A small drawback is the visibility. Overall a fantastic deal for the money.