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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  100K and still perfect - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By aobg - August 27 - 6:14 am

  Bought new in July 2009 - just turned 100K Have only replaced tires, wipers and rear shocks (dirt roads and potholes - yuck), oil & filter changes - everything else original including brakes. Avg @ 28 mpg summer, 26 winter. Maintenance at Buick/Cadillac dealer has been great! This is simply an extremely reliable car, with a great ride and handling, very quiet, good performance, comfortable, roomy and did I say reliable? Still looks new inside and out Rides far quieter than my friends Acura. I like it so much I am trying to find one for my daughter for a college graduation present.

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  Satisfied but wish for more... - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Sholop - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is a mix of "Great!" and "needs improvement. The power of the V6 makes this car extremely good at take offs and at passing on the freeway. Good driving position. Looks good. The interior is what needs work; servicable is what discribes it.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Couldnt be happier - August 25 - 2:00 pm

  Our daughter purchased the first model year (2003) ION, and is generally pleased with it. The ION has been refined and improved each year, then when they "perfected" it, they stopped making it. We purchased this car used (31,500 miles), but it looks, handles, and performs as if we just drove it out of the new car showroom. A good, solid feel to it, and fun to drive. A mistake with the original ION was the factory-installed Firestone tires (terrible), but they switched to Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds a few years ago, and they are great, safe tires!

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  Looks better than what it is - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By upset in R.I. - August 24 - 5:40 pm

  This was my dream vehicle. As to date, I have had to change the rotors 3 times and resurfaced 1 time. The pads have also be changed a few times. The selonoid gauge in the gas tank bangs really load and that is said to be normal. You hear more squeeks than children in the back seat. I also had to replace the strutt assembly because of noise. This car seems to have fallen apart after its first year of life. What a lemon I got!

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  A great reliable car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Adam - August 24 - 11:33 am

  I just traded in my Dodge Ram 1500 that had a 5.2 v8 in it. Great truck but this car puts it to shame except in comfort and build quality. This Saturn scoots like no ones buisness. I can get it to squeal the tires in every gear. The car just loves to go fast. I love this car. At the time of purchase the dealer i went to had a rebate of $4500 which knocked the price from $12, 325 to $7,825. I glad I didnt pass up the deal, its been a great car.

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  quality + luxury meets practicality - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By chris - August 21 - 8:56 am

  A pleasant surprise i have an automatic XR handles better ont he corners that my 2003 mitsubishi eclipse gt --- what? i know i could not beleive it either

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  Hate this Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By HATEmyvue - August 20 - 3:40 am

  I have had it almost 6 months and went from loving it to hating it. It is really pretty to look at but not pretty to own. One issue after the other. First I was told I would get mpg in high 20s in city and 30s hwy. Best ever has been 21mpg on hwy. Hard to start at random times. Started making clicking/zipper noises in steering wheel when you turn and had to be regreased and from what I read, itll come back. Keep having electrical tape and plastic fall on my feet. Very noisy/rattles. Hate loud suspension. Hate transmission. Air bag light goes on and off at random times. Carpet/seats cheap and stain easily. Discovered all these things are common with the Vue. Trading it in at a loss.

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  2009 Saturn VUE XR... I got a good one. - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Macca2016 - August 19 - 6:34 pm

  I still have this car after 7 1/2 years and still love it. I use it to transport music gear for my gigs and its held up well. Its a kid transport/family transport vehicle that, if you take care of it like any car, will not let you down.

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  Super vehicle - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By mike deck - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This suv was a major surprise to my wife and I after test driving it. It was very impressive, with a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder engine, built by Honda, with loads of power. A lot of time and effort went into this vehicle and we are very happy with it. We had to have it.

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  3rd Saturn - 2004 Saturn ION
  By brina_nightowl - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Despite the harsh reviews so called "experts" have given this car, I really enjoy this car. I also look at long term reliability when comparing it to it to its competitors. My husbands 96 SL2 has had no problems with almost 100,000 miles on it, while my grandmothers Ford Focus which is a 2000 with about 10,000 has already had 2 major repairs. I really like this car. I have always had a positive experience with Saturn, the cars and the people, and I see no reason to spend the same (or more) on a foreign car with shady, slimy dealers. Or substandard domestic cars like Ford, which you cant trust to work.