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 Small Car - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Cardog - May 31 - 12:26 am

  My college daughter had driven this car in Grand Rapids for the past year with wonderful fuel economy and through a lot of hard winter days. This was a great buy and it is too bad GM stopped making this fuel efficient and affordable small vehicle. She loves the center display as she is short and can see the road better with nothing block her forward vision. With a manual transmission the highway economy is 35mpg. She claims this is a very quiet car and I would agree as I have a couple of Saturn Vues, 2006 and 2007 and it is by far more quiet then these more expensive Saturns on the highway. With full airbags I feel confident she is in a safe vehicle even thought it is a compact.

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  Saturn is on the move - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By James Petty - May 29 - 9:46 am

  My wife and I have 6 kids and they enjoy the space and watching DVDs while we travel around town or on the road. We like the storage compartments in the back and over head.The power outlets that let you plug just about anything into it.

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  New car saturn vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By pardifun - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Currently own a pt crusier, and now have more room plus towing up to 3500 lbs.

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  Wow! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By sjdan - May 26 - 10:00 am

  My first car was a saturn, so I know the company and know they are reliable. I expected a lot from this car, and it delivered. The car handles like a dream, it picks up really quickly, and is just fun to drive! Its easy in traffic jams, and just fun on the open road. The build quality is awsome, the seats are really comfortable, and the ride is solid. Its great to have a car thats both functional (with tons of trunk space, folding seats, a roomy back seat, and very safe) and fun.

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  My New Vue - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By kevin - May 22 - 10:30 am

  This is my 1st new car...very happy with my selection...for the price, I got more options than I expected. Performance is great...handles great...rides smooth...great acceleration.

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  LIGHTNG (my Lic Plate) - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By BJ - May 21 - 11:50 am

  Remember "Lighting McQueen from the movie "Cars?" Well thats what my little red roadster reminds me of! I saw a black Sky in a parking lot & was one of those people who chased it down to see what it was! 4 months later I drove my Red/Redline off the lot! I love it! Very fun to drive! The body style is awesome. It turned my head! The performance is great even in the mountains!

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  Happy Saturn Driver - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Happy Saturn Mama - May 21 - 2:23 am

  Love this car! Get lots of looks. It is just like the commercial...people cant believe that its a Saturn. It has all of the great GM extras and warranties, but not the price. I am very happy with my Saturn. Needs a couple of improvements, but it is definitely on its way and worth the price, especially when you fill up your tank. Saturn is no longer the step-child of GM!

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  Its Great - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By ZUCK - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Love my Vue. Drove it through the Blizzard of January 2003, from Albany- through NYC and the Throgs Neck Bridge to Long Island. It was a pleasure.

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  Not too shabby! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By 3Nailz1Cross - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Glad to be Saturn owner. Comfortable ride as compared to my Ford Ranger. Previous owner of a Subaru Forester. Quiet...compared to Subaru. Pick up and go...comparable to Subaru. Overall, not too shabby!

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  Saturn VIew Green Line - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Edward Bowler - May 18 - 12:26 pm

  The hybrid Vue runs great and the gas mileage is 30mpg in local driving(26-35mpg range) The acceleration around town very good and improved to 10000 miles. The acceleration on the highway is adequate and the car downshifts on hills smoothly one gear at a time. Very quiet at higway speeds with little wind noise. The sattelite radioworks well. Seats 5 adults comfortably. The rear seats folds down easily for extra storage. Repeatly gets 35+ on long trips at 70MPH.