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:
Showing 1991 through 2000 of 3,767.00-
Summer Fun - 2007 Saturn Sky
By NYSKYGUY - January 5 - 9:56 amSaw the Sky in ads so I called to find that the dealer had 11 alotted to them. So I orderd mine over the phone. That was in Feb 06. On May 9th I got a call that my Sky was in. May 11th I picked it up. From that day it has been great. People stare and ask what it is. It gets a crowd at car shows. Well worth buying. I plan on buying the 08 Saturn Sky RL. Great second car for summer fun.
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Joy - 2007 Saturn Sky
By toothpick - January 2 - 1:53 amUnrivaled joy squeezed from a too small price, from an overburdened manufacturer. Like the fawn struggling to its feet, this fleet phantom hope sprints across the woodside barely seen and deeply hoped for.
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Luv My Saturn! - 2002 Saturn VUE
By chaRod - January 1 - 4:03 pmOn my fourth Saturn and looking for my fifth. Wonderful car to drive, great gas mileage--low maintenance!!! Great sales and service dept service!
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Great Commuter - 2008 Saturn Aura
By berne1 - December 31 - 8:53 amGot the Aura XE 4-cyl last month to replace my ION. What a step up! This is the first in a long time Ive returned to the same manufacturer (had two Acuras in a row in the early 90s). Went for the 4-cyl because of price & MPG (commter car). It has a lot of nice unexpected touches- -the auto-up drivers window, interior "mood lighting", telescoping steering wheel, cargo nets. Wasnt expecting any of that in this level Aura. Interior is very quiet. 6- speaker stereo is above average for a base system. Large trunk. Good power. I really like the styling, one of my top reasons for purchase. It looks more expensive than it is.
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Mostly great - 2009 Saturn Outlook
By OK_NEWXR - December 29 - 5:53 am2009 is NOT sluggish off the line. Power delivery is satisfying and transmission is now calibrated to downshift at slightest provocation (actually somewhat annoying). What we bought for wife and child: FWD XR: convenience and enhanced convenience, sunroofs, headrest DVDs, towing, 20" wheels, 7 passenger, bose audio. At 2k miles, we are happy with overall design and travel comfort, 20 inch wheels dont hurt ride, but make mountain roads tolerable, rearview camera makes up for most of the poor visibility out the back (but visibility is terrible without when backing up so get a camera). Best highway mileage so far is just over 20 at 75mpg, but were hoping it improves with further break-in
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My Third Saturn - 2006 Saturn ION
By Cherri - December 26 - 8:20 amWhen I decided to get a new car I knew it would be a Saturn. My ION is the best. Its very roomy and handles very well on the road, and you will always be treated very well at a Saturn dealership.
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I Love My New Saturn Vue! - 2005 Saturn VUE
By Twinkle Toes - December 24 - 1:06 amDriving has become so much more comfortable and more pleasant, since I bought my Saturn Vue. I easily get in and out of the car, due to its height being neither too low nor too high. My senior citizen and handicapped mom can also get in and out of the car, without my having to lower her in or haul her out. I can see the road, no longer feeling as if I were driving in a hole, surrounded by taller vehicles. The seat supports my back comfortably, allowing me to drive without the old pains. The car handles well, offers comfort to my passengers in the back seats, affords plenty of "trunk" space, and offers a terrific sound system. The whole family loves this car!
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Love it! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
By M lutz - December 23 - 4:53 amI went from a Dodge full size van and this is my perfect match. It is roomy enough for my three teenage sons that are 6 ft tall and over 130 pds. The ride is quiet and smooth and it so much fun to ride. Love the control on the steering wheel and the XM radio is very nice. Recommend this to anyone
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Best vehicle I have owned so far - 2004 Saturn VUE
By Lisa - December 18 - 10:03 amI love my VUE! I bought it used but it only had 14000 miles on it and it still had that new car smell. It put my Jeep to shame with its horsepower. My Jeep might have had more bells and whistles such as power seats and windows, but I gladly gave that up for the smooth ride I have with my VUE. I did hear some rattles on the front end but it was my right strut and the dealer fixed it right away. I will buy a Saturn from now on. Even my 19 year old [ a sports car nut] loves it.
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Happy Vue Owner - 2004 Saturn VUE
By ChattanoogaVue - December 17 - 2:00 amWe have been very happy with our Vue so far. I was leery of getting one the CVT transmission at first, but have come to really like its performance and drivability - particularly on the hilly/mountainous terrain where we live. Electric steering is a bit on the light side for my taste, but my wife loves it.
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Saturn Astra 133 Reviews
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Saturn Aura 381 Reviews
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Saturn ION 975 Reviews
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Saturn Outlook 266 Reviews
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Saturn Relay 111 Reviews
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Saturn Sky 171 Reviews
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Saturn VUE 1,730 Reviews