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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  Trade-in value - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By cinderella - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has absolutely no trade-in value. Very much over-priced. It has a sticker price and everything else is extra. So the sticker is not accurate.

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  Horrible Car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ben - August 5 - 10:00 am

  This car was passed down to me, when I got my license at 18, with just over 14,000 miles on it. I just hit 24000 yesterday, and within those 10,000 miles Ive had too many problems to keep up with. The power steering stopped working( found out the power steering of this car was re-called). One time my key would not come out of the ignition and I had to replace the steering column. One night the dome light wouldnt turn off. When it rains the car leaks. My car alarm would go off randomly, the dealership told me the car doesnt think the drivers door is closed, so I have to manually lock my doors. This car has been nothing but trouble for me, and its my first car. Im never buying American.

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  Extremely disappointed - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By mmtso - July 18 - 9:23 pm

  This VUE was my third - and sadly my last - Saturn purchase. This brand new vehicle was in the shop 4 times in 6 months: tachometer went out, CD player quit working, car would not start at all ("bad alternator"), and "cluster failure" w/no tachometer, odometer, turn signals, etc. I recently sold this VUE after it was repaired last as it was no longer a reliable vehicle. I have never had this many problems w/any vehicle Ive owned, especially a new one. I do not recommend a VUE to anyone unfortunately.

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  outlook transmission failure - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By jerry194 - June 26 - 12:24 pm

  Over all car is "okay". Transmission has serious problems. Had to be rebuilt at 58k miles, control module replaced at 111k, speed sensor at 115k, and now looking at another rebuild at 141k. Vehicle is unreliable and I would defiantly not recommend it. GM quality is long gone, never buy another.

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  Nice but needs improvement - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By S Grathwohl - June 25 - 10:46 am

  Have small problems such as windshield washer fluid leakage. Antifreeze leakage. Rear brakes need to be turned at 20,000 miles. Rattle noise from engine compartment. Rubber moulding around rear doors becomes detached easily. Larger problem with replacement of trans-axle at 21,000 miles. Vehicle rides hard and expect to replace struts and shocks by 25,000 miles.

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  SO FAR SO GOOD. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By DONT BUY A VW - June 10 - 10:06 pm

  We bought it Jan 2004. First 11 months its been fine.I dont like customer service and their service recomendations.You dont need your tires balanced every 6000 miles. The only problems Ive had are leg room and MPG.And customer service.Im 64" and if the drivers seat isnt all the way back, my shin hits the underside of the dash. Fortunately, my wife drives it. Unfortunately, I drive a VW JETTA - the worst car on earth. And whats up with the MPG? Im getting 19 or so. ITS A 4 CYL!!! I could understand if it was a fast 4 cyl, but the thing wont get out of its own way (Especially with the air on).They cant tell EVERYONE that its because of our driving habits.....CAN THEY?

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  Outlook - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Outlook - May 24 - 1:33 pm

  Good car in the desert but week in the rainy areas. Sunroof leaks because of poor design, drain tubes to short, drain tubes not connected. Rain causes shorts in the electrical system and disables much of your equipment until able to completely dry out. Rain comes in from the just below the sunroof all the way back to the second row passenger airbags as well as down the firewall onto the driver floor. This causes your shoes to soak up water and become slippery on the petals.

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  No Longer GM Customer - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By lstonge1 - May 24 - 10:49 am

  The Outlook looks great inside and out, unfortunately mechanicly the vehicle is garbage. I have spent more money in 11 months of ownership on my 08 Outlook than I have in my last three vehicles combined. My next SUV will be a non GM product.

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  Worst purchase of my life - 2007 Saturn ION
  By crysania - May 17 - 2:12 pm

  I bought this car used in 2009 with about 32k miles on it. Loved the look of it and it drove great. I had about one year of good driving and then its been nothing but problem after problem. Wheel bearings, front bushings, AC gone, multiple check engine light problems that result in expensive repairs or a mechanic who cant find the problem as it comes and goes. Ive sunk more money into this car in just a handful of years than I did in all the years of owning cars previously.

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  It Had Some Potential... - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By CC - May 6 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had this car for close to a year and Im ready to get rid of it. The powertrain seems solid and it has plenty of horsepower, but the torque steer gets out of control when you step on the throttle. It rides nice and smooth with minimal road noise. Its loaded with every feature you could ever need. However, I just cant get past the cheap plastic interior. It creaks every time I accelerate and there are rattles everywhere. It detracts from what might otherwise be an enjoyable driving experience. I had to have the door lock fixed by the dealer, the intermittent wiper function works inconsistently, and the steering wheel vibrates and squeals when making tight turns.