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 fun vehicle - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By karen - June 23 - 5:53 am

  I havent driven my Jag since I got this SUV - its fun, handles excellently and is perfect for both commuting and hauling stuff.

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  Impressive SUV for the Price - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By victors01 - June 22 - 8:30 pm

  The VUE is a nice SUV for a reasonable price. The V6 engine, along with the 5- speed automatic transmission, provides great acceleration. The fuel economy is good considering the engines power. The ride is quiet and smooth. The cabin offers plenty of space and has comfortable seats. The new GM stereo head unit is nice and easy to use. My only complaint about the vehicle is the obvious cost-cutting tactics that GM used, such as a manual seatback on what is supposed a power driver seat. Toyota or Honda would probably offer a true power seat. Side airbags, or any safety feature for that matter, should be standard. Shows a lack of commitment to safety on GMs part.

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  Great car, but... - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Albert Krebs - June 21 - 10:03 pm

  Biggest problem incurred has been blind spot in all four corners and wind noise when windows open. Other than that, a fantastic car. Still havent used paddle shifting though.

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  Great buy for the price... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By avariel - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Why does everyone hate this car? I just got mine about a month ago and I love it! I didnÂ’t have a lot of money so when it came to replace my old car my options were limited. I looked at all the new & used cars I could find. One day I went by the local Saturn place & saw the new ION & went in for a test drive & felt that it was the right car for me. I ended up with my ION 2 (decided to splurge for more options) So far its great and this from a former honda owner. Is the ION perfect? Not by a long shot but no car is. Besides for those of us who cant afford all the flashy cars out there the ION offers a reliable option for a great price.

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  Saturn Runs Rings! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By puppytrek - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Saturn Ion-2 on March 15 and it rocks! Nimble handling with the electric-assist power steering and the middle instrument panel is a dream! This rides so smooth compared to what I drove before. America can still produce a wonderful vehicle without the $35K price tag. I would buy another today if I had more room to put it!

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  Problems with start up - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Jenn - June 17 - 7:10 am

  I love my Saturn Relay for the exception that since I bought the van if I did not push the gas peddle when I started the van then it would cut off on me. The van came with a warranty and took it to a dealership to be fixed and was told that it was the fuel pump. The replaced the fuel pump and now it is still having the same problem. Saturn has told me that it is just what "those" vans do. I will never get stranded it will always crank, it just might take several times before it starts.

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  This car is "meh" - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Heather - June 15 - 1:50 pm

  Bought this car used with 38K miles. The car sounds like it is breaking in half during turns/bumps. Wind Noise. Axle went out & had to be replaced. Too many repairs to list. Battery died when car was only 1 yr old. Struts went out. Entire engine replaced at 60K miles. Radio went out, & Saturn will replace for $500! Expensive! Without the warranty, I wouldve paid more in repairs than I even paid for the car ($10K). I am getting rid of this and going with a Toyota Camry instead.

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  Got a second aura also - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By own two - June 12 - 8:30 pm

  My girlfriend and I picked up an Aura XE first and we loved it so much I had to go back and get an XR for myself. Theres not a lot on the road and we get people looking all the time and saying, "Thats a Saturn?!?" The ride in these are so smooth and quiet that it feels we are driving in a much more expensive luxury car. I love the way how the car looks passing by because it looks like it is alot more money than it is and it stands out from the rest! Do not miss out on a great car if you are looking for a family and/or sports sedan by not considering an Aura. Drive one for yourself and you will like it.

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  Really nice - 2005 Saturn ION
  By happyowner - June 12 - 5:30 pm

  I love my ION. It is the most comfortable small car that I have ever driven in my 30 years of driving. The 2.2 liter engine perfoms as well as some 6 cylinder engines I have owned. What the back seat lack in leg room is made up for in perfomance, style, and handling.

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  First time Saturn owner - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Mary - June 11 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Vue new and was hit twice within my first year, both times extensive damage was done. On both occasions, I had no sore neck or any other physical problems afterward. It was though I hadnt been in an accident. Id been T-boned and rear ended. Im extremely pleased with its crash protection qualities. I love my Vue, and hadnt experienced any real mechanical failures until around 100,000 miles. Then it was an O2 sensor, engine leak, and engine light staying on. It turned out to be the part that allows the diagnostics to work (forget name ). Five- hundred dollars later, it seems that only the light was bad. I now have 108,000 and wonder if I should sell it soon. No regrets!