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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  sky09 roadster - 2009 Saturn Sky
  By luvmy09sky - August 11 - 8:13 am

  Wow, I got my Roadster on the last day of 2009, brand new. I love the way it handles.The interior is 2tone red and black, i love it! When i drive it, everyone sees me. Its an eye catcher.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Betz - August 10 - 4:40 pm

  I had had a trouble-free Saturn sport coupe and when I needed a bigger vehicle, I bought the Vue. It has been wonderful for my two large dogs. Ive had a generally good experience with the dealership, with the exception that they charged me $25 over the quote the last time I had it serviced, however, the oil change was a decent price rather than the $95 that had charged me previously. The plastic seat-mount cracked. Ive had no other problems with the vehicle. Before my Saturns, I drove a Jag. Hey, it is not a Jag, but for the money, I can afford to step down a few notches. Plus, the maintenance cost on the Jag was horrendous, and it was in the shop frequently.

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  My First Car - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Patrice - August 10 - 10:16 am

  My Saturn Astra is my first car and Im extremely happy with it. I like the European look and that the 3 door model isnt as popular as other cars in its class yet. I got an amazing deal on it because the dealership was cleaning out all the 08s. I saved about $7000 and got my windows tinted for half price. Other cars I was considering were Pontiac G5, Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent and Ford Focus.

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  2006 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV (FWD; 3.5 Vtech) - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Ken on Bacon Street! - August 10 - 6:26 am

  We just recently purchased this Vue to replace our aging (11 yrs, 112K miles), lethargic, gas guzzling monster, a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer with AWD and the 5.0 V8. Killed us on gas! We wanted a reliable, economical, and fun new daily commuter. After one (1) month of tooling around, both in city and on the highway, we could not be more pleased and content with our new VUE! Shes got exceptional power and pickup whenever circumstances requires it. That Honda Vtech 3.5l Vtech V6 mill is simply amazing!! Yet, shes easily twice as fuel friendly as our old SUV. Our VUE handles and rides very well also. Surprisingly, loads of interior room for a compact SUV also. Easy to get in and out also.

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  I hate my Saturn Aura XR - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Monica from WV - August 9 - 11:53 am

  This has been one of the worst cars Ive ever owned!! Major electronic issues -(blows fuses, radio speakers quit working randomly, none of the onboard computer info works properly, alarm goes off without being set) - Transmission - will not downshift normally, ex: must hold throttle completely to floor on a hill as car will be in 4th gear at 800rpms, will shift in neutral (while in drive), redline, then downshift to 2nd gear, car takes off backwards while on any slight hill as if it were in neutral - Horrible gas mileage (11-14 mpg) - Dealership is horrible...they always tell me theres nothing wrong, its completely normal for these things to happen & its too complicated for them to explain.

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  Good Car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By squeak303 - August 9 - 10:00 am

  For the price you cant really go wrong. Its a solid car and very reliable. Gas milage is excellent, especially in high priced Chicago area.

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  gas mileage. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By gary prehauser - August 9 - 10:00 am

  trip from defiance,ohio to okc. okla.drove 7 mph over speed limit,3fillups in okc for city driving,averaged 23 mpg.great gas mileage.when we left we had only 1600 miles on the carwe returned with 4200.we really enjoy our saturn vue red- line.

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  Saturn Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By wmadden - August 8 - 6:26 pm

  Bought a program car and only had it 8 days when the crankshaft sensor failed. In the shop 3 days. Hoping this is only problem. Drives like a dream, looks even better inside and out. Usually had my wife drive the Jeep but drive it every chance I get. I have the same proble mentioned in several reviews in that the cruise control downshifts on the slightest incline. Hope for a recall to fix problem.

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  A Surprise! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Bill - August 8 - 10:06 am

  Just moved out of an 2003 Olds Silhouette Premier into the Outlook XE. What a difference! For the same money this car feels more competent, is quieter, more powerful and more comfortable. We should get comparable MPG. Yes, it is a different class of automobile (minivan vs crossover). However, we are not giving up much in terms of usable space and gaining in so many other categories. Besides, my wife wanted a functional car that did not scream "soccer mom." I am thoroughly impressed. GM did a great job designing it. Lets hope it proves to be reliable. More details to come.

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  My garage is a room with a Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By bpal - August 7 - 4:26 pm

  Handles well; comfortable seating & fun to drive; 6 cylinder engine has responsive power; good gas mileage; fun styling. Love the 17" wheels.