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:

• 

  Luv my VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By W8DUQ Gregg - March 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a wonderful cross between a minivan and a car without being a truck. Built very well and has been extremely reliable mechanically - only real time it has spent in the shop has been for oil changes. Saturns customer support is second to none! Did have a few bugs to workout after delivery, but they handled them with no hassle.

• 

  EXCELLENT CAR - 2004 Saturn ION
  By goodmanner3 - March 1 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, first BRAND NEW CAR I ever owned. Could not be more happy with my choice...Test drove every car in its class and fell in love with this one. Cant believe its not on more "best lists"

• 

  Ions Are Fuel Efficient - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Cody - February 26 - 8:46 am

  I purchased my Ion back in 2006. The only repairs that I have had to perform on it was replacing the front rotors due to the roads in Jacksonville, NC and on Camp Lejeune, NC. Other than that I just perform the normal routine maintenance on it(i.e. oil change, brakes, etc). Every time I travel to Florida, I save always on gas. It is roughly 762 miles from Camp Lejeune to where I live in Florida, and I only have to fill up 3 times (thats stopping when my tank is sitting at a 1/4 of a tank). Overall, my experience with this car has been nothing but Superb. I recommend it to anyone. But do not listen to reviews, with this car you got to try for yourself.

• 

  My Saturn VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By garkat93 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The VUE that I purchased runs excellent with amazingly surprising power for a 4 cylinder. It is very comfortable with more room in the back seat than any other suv out there. For my small family this SUV is perfect. Absolutely excellent in the snow. If you are going to buy one do yourself a favor and buy the AWD with the CVT transmission. I have blown past some well known SUVs with six cylinders up hills! So dont under estimate the power of this little SUV.

• 

  1st Saturn and loving it! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By vue5531 - February 20 - 1:42 am

  I bought my Vue in 2008 and its 2011 and I have not had a single problem with it. The carfax was clean. Its roomy, zippy, and pretty quiet. Ive read mostly negative reviews about this car and I dont see what their talking about. I must have gotten lucky. The only thing I had to do was replace the brakes.

• 

  What a Car! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Land of Zia - February 17 - 9:06 pm

  I went looking in Sept of 06 looking for a Vue but the Aura XE was love at first sight. This awesome driving experience is something to look forward to every day. The 3.5L V6 performs most superiorly to its counterparts from Japan and Europe. When driving conservatively on the highway I could achieve economy in the mid 30s. A great joy to drive; economy and powerful performance plus ample amenities for an excellent price of only $22K. The Saturn Aura should alert educated buyers of the excellence and perfection that a roadster can be. If you are an import zealot, how sad to forego the experience of driving a real car for an inferior one. VW, Honda, Toyota and Subaru; no comparison.

• 

  Our fourth Saturn - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By uga91 - February 16 - 6:53 pm

  Weve had three previous Saturns and now we have the one my wife has wanted since they came out. We bought the manual because we wanted it and we are enjoying it so far. Very peppy and good looking, IMO.

• 

  cue to a vue - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By b t - February 15 - 10:00 am

  got 10000 miles on it with only a faulty fuel gauge. Half the cost of a Pacifica, and not as ugly as the Rav4 or Element. Holds a lot with seats folded, and quick for a 4 banger. A rear seat armrest would be nice, as would bigger front armrests. I got big arms. Ill have to install some Bimmer sport-Recaros.

• 

  Pleasantly suprised - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Veajh - February 12 - 9:43 am

  I was a little hesitant buying a Saturn but was sold on this particular vehicle. Ive been very pleased with the vehicle refinements, comfort of the ride and initial quality. It lacks power, but power is something im willing to sacrifice for price. Gas mileage is decent. Lots of room.

• 

  08 Aura - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Bob - February 12 - 6:23 am

  I had a Honda Accord before and I struggled with purchasing a Saturn. I had purchased two other Saturns before for the wife and hated them both but this one has been a pleasant surprise. Smooth quite ride with what I think is preety good gas mileage for a V6 (Avg 25) doing city and highway 50/50. Had one small coolant link since in the first 6 months, which was just an occasional drip. Other then that perfect. Wife always had a hard time with Nav systems but the OnStar has been the perfect solution. I drive it about 80% of the time and the wife uses it when she nees directions. Shes got an 07 Honda and just admitted that she likes this better. Time will tell if its as reliable as a Honda.