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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  A "BULLETPROOF" HONDA ENGINE IN A LOWER PRICED SUV - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By OUTTHEDOORKING - July 23 - 5:08 am

  The Saturn Vue is a great value in an suv. I strongly prefer and recommend the Honda 3.5 liter v6 version which boasts great power and legendary Honda dependability! The fit and finish on these vehicles is very good! I think they are undervalued and therefore a great buy!

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  Great car - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Glenn - July 21 - 9:20 am

  I picked this car over a Honda Fit after Saturn came down to 15000 on a 19,000 car (1000 dealer cash back + 1000 GM credit card discount + 2000 red tag discount). Ive had it for a month now and I really enjoy it. Ive always thought that GM and Ford make excellent cars only refuse to sell them here. Well this is the exact same car as the Opel Astra and its built in Belgium. Its not Euro car thats redressed and made it fulfill what Americans want.

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  vue - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Cesar Marchioli - July 21 - 2:00 am

  awesome car handling all of my needs and economically as well. It has been as good as advertised.

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  Vue with aroom - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By TROY MORPHEW - July 19 - 9:56 pm

  A pleasure to drive.

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  I love this SUV! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Dena - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I got my VUE in July 2004 - after a terrible accident in which I was driving my Buick Rendezvous - I could not buy a car as I am scared to drive something small. The VUE gives me the mileage I need living a long distance for work and the vehicle is big enought that I feel very safe. I also like the dent resistant panels! The rear cargo organizer is awesome also!

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  It Just Goes - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Cecil Mitchell - July 19 - 10:00 am

  The ION2 is a fun car to drive, it is very quiet and comfortable, ease of parking and plenty of headroom.

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  surprised for sure - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By wayne - July 17 - 9:50 pm

  I have been in the market for a new sedan for 6 months. I have been very picky about what to buy, because I tend to drive cars for several years. I drove the new versions of Mercedes C- Class, Accord, Camry, Passat, Saab 9- 3, as well as the TL and a Fusion. I couldnt decide on what I liked best. Then on the way home one day I saw a used TL sitting at a Saturn lot. I pulled in- didnt like it, then saw some promotions on the new Aura. I loved the way the car looked on the outside, but I am also no real fan of Saturn- in the past, they have had some of the ugliest cars on the road. Once I drove it, I knew immediately I would buy it that day. This is, hands down, the best car I have ever bought

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  A car for the masses - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Summers - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Yes, in the 1960s the Soviet Union purchased a Fiat car plant from Italy and built a new town in Russia called Togliatti. At this plant they built the Lada. The Lada was a basic automobile. Advanced for its day, it was to become the car of the masses in that communist country. Now GM has come out with something equally benign. It all comes wrapped up in a pretty cool pakage. I dont care what people say about the futuristic lines and the centre mounted console, this car has character. Id say this car is worth the price, its good, its basic, its good to drive and its cheap. Trully a car for the masses!

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  VUE Redline - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By dap - July 13 - 11:50 pm

  Very powerful SUV, fun to drive and looks sharp. Young people love the looks. Surprisingly excellent gas mileage, better than listed, I am getting about 24 city and 28 highway.

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  Aura is Great - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Bob - July 13 - 5:26 pm

  I think this is a good car. It is fun to drive, has great performance, good 0 to 60. Love that it is a 3.5 engine standard