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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  vue or dealership? - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By conVUEsed - January 3 - 10:00 am

  i bought my saturn vue 2 weeks ago and have driven it a total of 5 days. its been to the dealership for check engine light(twice), keyless alarm not working (twice), missing lug nut caps, the steering shroud (twice), my e-brake lever was gouged by the leather seat installer along with the rear wheel well plastic on both sides, had to have the rear springs refitted, window moulding needed refitting. thank goodness for their 30 day no-haggle return policy.

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  This is an awful car - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By alces1976 - December 25 - 9:03 am

  I have not had a good experience with this car, or this company. I have always owned a GM car, this being my first (and last) Saturn. The car hasnt worked right in the year Ive had it with a multitude of electrical problems and common defects. The company has been impossible to work with, and overall I would have rather switched to a Pinto over this mess of a car. Watch yourself if youre looking at this car!!!

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  Not happy after 10 months - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Chas2 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  After 10 months and 11000 miles have had 1. recall for trans 2.needed rear tires balanced 3. gas gauge broke 4. had to have rotors turned after 7000 miles!! 5. have had to dealer twice for rattles and vibrations from the doors, dash and they cannot find it. 6. one speaker buzzed and had to be replaced. Also getting at most 21 MPG. Noisy. Had a honda CRV and never went back in over 3 years.

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  what a headache!!!! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By ladymug - November 4 - 10:00 am

  i hate this SUV!!! the a/c leaks into my floorboard(now being fixed for the 2nd time) the intermediate steering shaft has been fixed twice for rubbing/squeaking, it was towed cause the ignition coil went, and most recently the c. converter had to be replaced, this does not include the 10 minor problems i have had with the car. youd think Saturn Corp. would care, but once you leave with the car, customer satisfaction does not matter to them, what a joke it has been thinking you could get somewhere if you talk to the big guys!!! youre lucky if they call you back!!! i cannot wait to go car shopping tomorrow, i am done with Saturn forever!!!

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  Much less vehicle then expected. - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Vuehater - November 3 - 7:23 am

  My 2003 VUE has been less then a joy to own. The day after I got it I cried all the way to work because it was so uncomfortable. I drive 50 miles one way. I should have gone straight back to the dealer and returned then. The window switches needed to be replaced before I took it home. The rotors on the brakes went at 24,000 miles and all four wheel bearings needed to be replaced by 50,000 miles. Only one was under warranty. (of course!) My airconditioning unit runs non stop even if its not been on in weeks. The dealer says its fine. My gas mileage in the city is around 15 mpg and barely 20mpg on the highway. Big big mistake keeping this thing. Now I am stuck with it.

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  dont buy! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Liz - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car about 7 months ago. Since then I have had nothing but trouble. There have been 2 recalls, the cd player skips constantly, a plastic piece inside was unattached completely and worst of all, the car never starts. Yeah, itll start once in a while, but most of the time I have to jump it or keep turning the key for 1/2 hour. Its been to the dealership twice for that same problem, no solution. Its a cute car, yet it feels flimsy. I got in an accident a month ago and the whole right side of the car needs to be replaced because its plastic, and there wasnt even that much damage. It does not handle well in snow.

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  Disillusioned - 2006 Saturn ION
  By sierpinski - September 20 - 8:46 pm

  I bought the car for its safety features, have a 2001 SL with 150,000 miles on it, wanted the security of a new car to drive a grandchild around in. It was brand new, only 10 miles on it. Nine days and 700 miles later, it wouldnt start. Dealer replaced the ignition. Well, Im angry, I put $10,000 of my money down on the car and dont want it now. The gas mileage stinks, accellerating seems to be painful for it. Everything about my 2001 SL is better, it runs better, it feels more roomy inside. The ION seats are like bulls in a china shop, there is no space to fit things under the seats, there is noplace to put a large-sized fountain drink. The car is a frigging nightmare, I hate it.

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  Junk dont buy it - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Amurtadi - September 15 - 3:30 pm

  ION2, Bought it new in 2004 for $20K thinking that I made a good budget decision but I had electrical problems since then. Burnt light bulbs, non functioning turn signals, non functioning fob. Took it to the dealer at least 6 times for electrical problems, 2 for Suspension problems, and once for rain water sneaks into the trunk. I discovered that because I needed to jump start it. You can pull the key out when it is on the acce. position without noticing and that will cause the battery to run dry.Interior is so cheap and is falling apart. Everything rattles, CD player gets stuck. Verdict Junk Junk Junk.

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  Transmission/Leaking W/ electrical issues - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Jenny - September 2 - 11:20 pm

  I purchased my Saturn Outlook XR in march of 2015 with 74,000 miles on it. 2 months after i had transmission issues. the warranty covered it and i only had to pay my 100 dollar warranty deductible. now my vehicle is leaking from under the dash to the left of my break. and the sky light in the second and third row is now leaking water and the back headliner lights are even having water through them. yesterday 3/24/2016 it flooded really bad on the driver side. it was not the sunroof either. because it was not even wet in that area i can see water coming from under dash. I am now having electrical problems because of water damage. my wipers wont turn off unless car is off my turning indicators went out after coming on, on their own and finally just failed. my windshield wiper fluid was spraying on its own and finally failed. My vehicle is going to dealer this coming up week and the dealer has already told me it wont be covered! I have seen so many people with the same or similar issues as my own! DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE, OR ACADIA, OR THE BUICK ENCLAVE. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone sees this and wants to contact me and has same problems i have contacted GM and i will not just go away!!![contact information removed]

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  SATURN IS A JOKE! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Brandi - September 1 - 2:20 am

  I just paid cash for what I thought was a reliable and "responsable" vehicle. 3 DAYS after i bought the car the transmission went completly out!! Ive contacted the Saturn company, the Warranty company and the dealer I bought from. Saturn says they are no longer rebuilding that transmission and are not at this time doing anythig for thier drivers. The warranty company tells me to find a transmission shop who will rebuild it for me (NO ONE WILL IVE CALLED!) and they are right now taking the Saturn Vue OUT of thier warranties!! I am trying to get the dealer to back me out of the deal and give me my money back! Saturn knows theyve screwed up and are not doing anything to make it right!!