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:

• 

  redline vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By swatcop - March 18 - 10:00 am

  faster then the awd model closer to 7.0 0-60. once in a while turns over a while before it starts. the only thing i dont like is the location of the window controls.

• 

  So far, so good - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Ryan - March 17 - 2:16 pm

  I bought my Vue after 4 months of researching SUVs. Having owned a 2001 Saturn SL1 I wanted to test drive the Vue. Im sure glad I did. My wife swears by her Mazda Tribute, but she quickly fell in love with the Vue. Fun to drive, ample power. Driver cockpit/instrument set up is great. Above all, I love the looks. All my neighbors cant believe their eyes when they see its a saturn. Fuel economy could be better, but nothing is ever perfect. Bravo Saturn.

• 

  I own 2 VUEs - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Bobby Rawls - March 7 - 1:23 pm

  I have 2 and probably will continue to have at least 2. It does have a design problem when in muddy and wet conditions, but surely this will be attended by the next new model. I have spoken to Jay Wetzel (one of the original Saturn designers, now retired) and he is aware of this design flaw. I do have problems turning the key to start the car. The steering wheel locks, and the key will not turn without a lot of shaking and commotion.

• 

  Its turning heads - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Kenne Dean - March 7 - 12:13 pm

  I live on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and Im causing whiplash, the heads are turning so fast as I drive by. It is a totally impractical car, which is perfect for this island (Lanai, Hawaii). Im so happy I have chosen this car. The design is flawless, the execution less so. Already, after only a month of owning the car, I can see signs of wear on the rubber parts of the roof gaskets. Not a good sign. But I love the car, and wont trade it. Ive already gotten offers to buy it for more than my purchase price. Ive turned them all down, with a smile!

• 

  Initial Ownership Review - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By rpep1982 - March 7 - 8:56 am

  My initial experience with the 2007 Saturn VUE has been all positive. The VUE had 40410 miles on it when I got it and continues to satisfy. The interior appointments are classy without being gaudy and the exterior is smooth. The engine is quiet and powerful (3.5l V-6). The stereo is easy to use and the steering mounted controls limit the amount your eyes are away from the road. So far I am very satisfied with my purchase.

• 

  VUE is top SUV Option for the Dollar - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Dave Kay - March 5 - 8:40 pm

  As safe as the CRV. standard tires are bigger and better than the CRV. Same engine and tranny yet Consumer Reports rated the Saturns engine and tranny lower (impossible, but they did). No-rust, no-dent panels that sadly are going away, I could go on and on. Everything I mentioned, for thousands less. Look at the two vehicles parked next to each other, not even close.

• 

  Great car! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Dalixra - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased with the design and features of my new Saturn!

• 

  ZZT goes fishing - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ZZT - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I did not think I would like this SUV when my wife bought it. It has good power and a smooth drive that is not found with htese small SUVs. Great package at a very good price.

• 

  Great Car - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By gregtwelve - February 27 - 11:20 am

  I needed to replace my wifes 8 year old Maxima. Always liked the looks of the Aura since it came out. With the new GM incentives I decided to take a drive. It is an impressive car in every way. It is smoother and more refined than the Maxima it replaced, the ride is much better and it is much more quiet. It has tons more features and was still $3000 cheaper than the Maxima was eight years ago! I cannot get over how great looking this car is in white.

• 

  Fast - 2006 Saturn ION
  By FastJ - February 26 - 11:13 pm

  Bought my Redline two weeks ago and after spending the 1st 500 miles breaking the engine in (just to be sure), Ive let er rip and she is fast. Shell get to 60 in 2nd gear right at about max horsepower and its a kick in the pants moving up to 3rd. The cornering is impressive. The exterior build quality is top-notch (I cant believe the nice, solid THUNK when closing the suicide doors). The interior headliner on mine still needs work (the area near my ceiling lamp clicks annoyingly (its held by velcro) despite a visit to the dealer to fix.) The RECARO seats are fantasic and do their job when cornering. There arent any armrests so long trips and traffic jams might be tiring.