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:

• 

  4 x Saturn Buyer - 2004 Saturn ION
  By dialof - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I love owning a Saturn and this is my 4th. I went from leasing a 2001 L200 to buying a fully loaded 2004 ION3 (leather, sunroof, 6-CD changer, alloy wheels, etc). Got a great deal with NO HAGGLE and no game playing. The ride is great, fast and tight. Driving 60mph feels like 30mph (its so fast it can get away from you). Great mileage- 32/27. Its a keeper. :o)

• 

  Great car for the money - 2003 Saturn ION
  By PR - October 31 - 11:20 pm

  When I decided to purchase a new car, I wanted an a nice, reliable and somewhat inexpensive one. In a nut shell, I didnt want a car payment. After looking for several months, I ended up with a previously owned Saturn Ion (it was 1.5 yrs old.) Its cute, reliable and cheap, but best of all it doesnt look or drive like a cheap car. Its a small car that doesnt drive like a small car. It is also a very comfortable ride on long trips, no aching back or sore seat, unlike some of the small Japanese cars Ive traveled in. Finally, the mpg is great. I get 36mpg hwy.

• 

  The best SUV out there - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By elbin bunnell - October 31 - 8:50 am

  Its lower to the ground than your larger SUV, so its easer for disabled and older people

• 

  Is that a Saturn ? - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Brad - October 30 - 2:46 am

  Have have already driven 4000 miles on this car and it drives great. Ive had many comments on how it looks like an expensive European car. I was about to buy an Honda Accord when a Saturn Aura pull up next to me a a red light. That day I drove over to the Saturn dealership to check it out and and bought one the next day. Everyone that has seen it asks: Is that a Saturn ?

• 

  2009 Saturn Outlook XR fwd - 2009 Saturn Outlook
  By Robert whiting - October 29 - 4:53 pm

  This vehicle is extremely stable. I have avoided three potential accidents by being able to swerve hard to avoid hitting idiot drivers not watching while changing lanes. The computer control stability system really works well. It has all the power needed plus some. (290hp) I got 23.5 mpg on a trip to Texas. 16 to 17 in town with a very light foot. Love the design in and out!! No rattles or squeaks. Door closes like a vault door. Quiet on the road with little wind noise. Love the sliding center armrest! Tons of cargo space with the seats down.

• 

  love my Saturn - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Alma - October 29 - 2:00 am

  we bought this Saturn in Nov 2003. In Jan 2004 we drove it from MA to Florida and return..It was a terrific driving experience. This SUV was comfortable, roomy for lots of luggage and we felt safe at all times. This is our 3rd Saturn vehicle, but the first SUV..I would recommend this to anyone.This is a V6 with leather interior and sun roof..it has been a pleasure driving. I have had people in the back seat comment on how roomy and comfortable it was for them as well.

• 

  2nd saturn, very nice - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Don2004 - October 29 - 2:00 am

  the experience at the dlr was great. its a wondeful ride for the price.

• 

  Just love it! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By cyordon - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I just love my new Saturn Vue!! I am so happy that I chose this SUV over the Jeep Liberty and the Toyota Rav4.The V6 Acura engine has lots of power and gets great gas mileage. I love the AWD feature. Driving in snow is so much safer now. I also cant wait to use my sunroof. I feel I got so much car for the $. Thanks Saturn:)

• 

  Finally an American car I like - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Reliable cars fan - October 28 - 2:30 pm

  I have been a fan of Japanese cars because of the look and reliability. American cars always looked bulky and dated. Not this one. I had 2 Hondas and a Mitsubishi before. I was coming out of a Honda Pilot lease and wanted a smaller SUV. I was going to lease either a Nissan Rogue or a Subaru Forester. The Nissan dealer offered a special lease on the Rogue. On my way to sign the lease, I decided to stop and see the new Vue and check out the GM incentives. The minute I checked out the Vue, I fell in love with it. Loved the exterior and the interior. It looked very well made with no cheap material anywhere. First tank city driving car mileage with some AC use is 19.86 MPG.

• 

  They finally got it right! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By firefox23508 - October 28 - 7:36 am

  After driving a 2001 Ford Ranger with what seemed to be no shock absorbers causing rattled teeth and an aching back for five years, I finally had to switch to a more comfortable ride. This Saturn is the best! I tried a lot of SUVs and cars but in the end I could not go back to seating low to the road like in a car. Amonst the SUVs in this size and price range, nothing else stood out like the Saturn. Perfect size, great interior, Honda motor (reliability!), and dent resistant polymer side panels all added up to a great car.