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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  Worst purchase of my life - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By neverdriveasaturn - April 2 - 9:06 am

  Nothing new, except proof of serious probs that should have resulted in recalls. Numerous prob with ABS and traction control systems going out--replaced sensors four times at a cost of $500+ twice(other two times were under part warranty).Had probs with rotors warping immediately after purchase, replaced at 35000 miles.Also had probs with cupping tires(on third set at 67000 miles).Warped tire rods. Auto door opener stopped working.Lever to fold 3rd broke.Depreciation!Traded this one in last week when we were upside down on the loan by $4000 because it was too costly to keep.Our cost to own this one for 3.5 yrs-over $40,000(purchase of $28000 and the rest in repairs, not incl. gas at 20mpg)

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  VERY UNHAPPY - 2005 Saturn ION
  By dawn414 - February 26 - 7:16 am

  This car has been nothing but a headache since i bought it. It only has 40,000 miles on it, I had to replace the censor module twice, the front bushings, and the spark plugs already. It still squeeks, and the engine light always comes on.. Even with all new plugs and wires, dont know what else to do with it.. I will never buy another GM car in my lifetime, or any of my relitives.I have tried calling saturn company, and i have taken the car to the binghamton saturn dealer, and they can not fix it.. so much for customer satification.

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  Saturn Transmission Problems - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By BobP - February 1 - 3:00 am

  Traded in a 2006 SL2 that had severe transmission problems. Got the Outlook, have 4K miles on it now. Transmission problems on the new vehicle!!! Hard shifting and the vehicle jerks every time it shifts. Have been in and out of the dealership 4 times in the past 3 months. They finally agreed to replace the transmission. Very poor mileage. Too much wind noise

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  Think Again!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Bad_Vue - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Hopefully you have not purchased your Vue yet! Please consider and read all the low rating reviews first. Here is a list of problems that have gone wrong with a year of time: 1)Inaccurate fuel reading, 2)Low gas mileage, 3)Steering wheel noisy when turning, 4)Check Engine Light On (Even today had to bring in. 4 Time in 1 week. Replaced upper and lower fuel sensor. Fuel pressure switch. Still came on a day later after service. Just have to live with it, Service writers words!

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  Never get another one - 2006 Saturn ION
  By dissappointed - November 12 - 8:06 pm

  I bought this Saturn for the safety features. I wish I would have done some more research and bought a Toyota or a Honda. I am very dissappointed. Not only is the car just over a year old, but Ive been to the dealership numerous times, twice for the brakes and they told me nothing was wrong with them. The carpet had a hole in the floorboard and had to be replaced, the gas mileage is horrible and now it just wont plain start even after they replaced the battery. Not to mention I live 62 miles from the nearest Saturn dealerships.

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  Piece of junk do not buy - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Saturn owner - September 27 - 5:06 am

  I just purchased what I believed to be a nice little reliable SUV, WRONG! After buying it I was driving it home and half way there the transmission failed! Completely gave out, I have a full 100 point inspection done before purchasing it and it cleared everything no problems. Even the transmission according to the inspection was in perfect running order. I am now having to pay between 5000-7000 to replace it and am out a vehicle. I had no idea I was getting such a piece of junk when I bought it. I would never buy a Saturn again and warn anyone to stay clear away. I wish I had seen all these negative reviews before purchasing it!

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  Beware: Transmission problems - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By hatetheaura - September 18 - 6:40 pm

  I will never buy a GM product again. My Aura only has 72,000 miles and the transmission has already broke. Trying to deal with GM is a joke. Everything from the dealership (Daniels Long Chevrolet) to customer service. Our warranty expired one month ago but am still 27,000 miles under the 100,000 mile mark and of course GM does not want to do anything about it. My car has been in the shop for over 5 days and I am constantly being told I have to pay more for diagnostics. How many error codes need to pop up for GM to admit they made lemon of a car. All GM cares about is getting you in the door, once you are there customer service is no longer cares.

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  Beware - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By LKO - June 20 - 10:50 am

  This is a really bad SUV. Do not buy, many things will break such as windshield washer pump, head gasket,oil will appear like a frappichino. All this will happen at 70K. This car is a total piece beware.

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  Worst Car Ever - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By 2002vue1229 - June 12 - 9:31 am

  One month after purchasing this car the engine light and wrench light came on. The DRLs will turn off and on randomly, the horn will come on randomly and wont shut off. Now the vehicle wont start. I shut it off at home and the next day it wouldnt start. This happened once before and I had to reset the security system and it worked, now nothing will work. I dont know what to do with this junk. Dont buy this car!!!

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  Dont Buy GM! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Outraged - June 9 - 4:50 pm

  Purchased brand new. This car is beyond fixable. To start, had problems with the knocking noise coming from rear, never repaired, radio went out under warranty, wheel bearings went out, power steering goes out intermittently even after having repaired just 6 mos ago. Car now will not shut off! GM wants to act as if they arent associated with the vehicle but its one of their products. Needless to say, Ill never buy an American made car again!