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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  perfect for my wife - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By porschedriven - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy our (her) Vue. I would have enjoyed a V6 rather than a 4Cyl but despite that it does every thing that we needed. It is small enough that she can park it in a busy area without go to the back of the lot, while being big enough to haul end tables and boxes to a storage unit. When the rear seats fold down you can fit 4 adults in the back for a friendly game of cards while it is raining at the game. I would reccomend this suv for the buget minded buyer with out a large family.

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  Excellent car for the money - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Lynne - December 20 - 2:30 am

  We drive our Vue regularly in the West Virginia mountains and enjoy the power the Honda engine provides. Gas mileage is great on the road (26 mpg) and good around town (20 mpg). Ive had the most trouble with sunroof leaking but keeping the drain lines cleaned out seems to have solved that problem. Replaced right wheel bearing around 35K and the radio and tires just this year. Ive really liked this car, the size is perfect. We got the side air bags. I hope to keep it for many more years. It still looks and runs like new.

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  Repeat buyer - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Teri - December 19 - 11:03 pm

  I had one of vivid yellow SC2s and loved it. However, I needed something that my elderly father could easily get in and out of, and the VUE is perfect. My father easily slips into and out of the vehicle with no problem. The ride is smooth and quiet. I love this vehicle! We will be buying one of VUE Redline editions in the spring.

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  I could have done much, much worse - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Jack - December 19 - 10:43 pm

  My first car was a 96 Saturn SL, manual. If this had been my first car, Id have no complaints at all. Unfortunately, it pales in comparison to the 96 SL. Sure, its more comfortable, and looks more upscale, but -- and this is a big but -- it gets about 10mpg less than the SL, and isnt quite as fun to drive. The OnStar was either a big help or a terrible tragedy in the making, since it told me to change my oil once around 5000 miles and then not again until 13000 miles. I decided to let my subscription expire, but wow! Talk about saving me a bundle on maintenance.

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  2005 Saturn Relay - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By pelinaca1 - December 18 - 8:26 am

  I have owned my 2005 Saturn Relay for a little more than a month now and have some initial first impressions worth noting. First, of the four like minivans GM is building I feel by far that this is the most attractive of the group. I did notice an intermittent issue with the radio where when you turn it on there would be no sound or the screen would go dark for a second but that seems to have resolved itself. Also the passanger side power sliding door didnt work for a few minutes one day but that seems to also have resolved itself. Otherwise, I have found this to be a very comfortable vehicle with plenty of room and creature comforts to keep the whole family happy for miles and miles.

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  A mixed bag, mostly OK - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By JD - December 17 - 11:26 pm

  Nice looking outside, OK inside. Seats stain very easily, and are a bit narrow. The seat back cushion feels like a large lump for support. The electronic temp gauges taking a while to change from cold to hot & vice versa. Lights in console and dial gauges a strange yellow color, not pleasing to the eyes. Additionally the console gauges seem to be tipped upwards a bit, so if you sit low and back they are not straight on. Plastic around ateering wheel column rubs when turning wheel. Not enough legroom up front. I am 510", and could not stretch out legs on long drive.

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  A lot of fun for the money - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By Cam - December 17 - 5:42 pm

  I havent had my 2008 redline very long but I really enjoy driving it. Easy to see out of and fairly comfortable (Im 6 210 pounds). The car is not fast in my opinion but I guess it depends on what you are used to. The car is very simple which is good and I think this body style will hold up well over time. I have read where people say that putting the top up and down is difficult. I have to wonder how these people function in life as this top operation could not be easier. So far I have replaced both VVT solenoids which is par for the course on a GM. This is just a fun car for my girlfriend and I to take to the lake and it should serve that purpose well.

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  2006 Vue v-6 - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By andy - December 16 - 9:06 am

  I have to say after 3 years IÂ’m a bit disappointed to see rust bubbling through the paint on the rear hatch. Im even more disappointed that Saturn wont warrantee the rust till there is a hole that your finger will fit through (by that time 6/100000 warranty will have most likely expired). The interior fit and finish is better than years past but still a bit play schoolish. The best part of this car is the Honda powerplant -250 hp /32 mpg highway.

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  American made - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Jim Kelsey - December 11 - 5:13 am

  I researched all, drove most, chose on basis of country of originand safety. Its better than 6 of the 10 that were chosen as the "best" better quality and costs less than 7 of the 10 chosen as the best college cars. Saturn 2.2 has been named 1 of the top 10 engines mass produced anywhere! If in doubt, test one. I personally own 2 Saturns and have since the mid 90s Have yet to need a repair other than tires and such.

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  Its a Sleeper! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Tim B - December 10 - 9:40 pm

  My 2005 ION Red Line is an absolute blast to drive. The styling presents only subtle hints to the beast that lurks under the skin. The shift from 1st to 2nd is somewhat clunky and happens almost immediately if you are trying to go fast, but the pressure cooker really smokes in 2nd, as you rocket to 60 mph. The interior is the most disappointing feature. It is CHEAP! Too cheap! There are sqeaks and rattles that you would not hear in a Japanese car after 100,000 miles. Unlike the 06 Honda Si, which only has around 140 ft-lb of torque, this little mills feels like a V-8 from 800 rpm up due to its impressive 200 ft-lb of torque. The rush comes on early and continues right to the Red Line!