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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  Best Small Car Hands Down - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By redbaron08 - July 5 - 12:46 pm

  I absolutely love this car. I test drove and researched a lot of cars in this class, but kept coming back to the Astra. Top selling point for me were the way the doors closed. The car is so well built it feels like a Mercedes or BMW. I took it on a 2000 mile road trip after leaving the dealership and fell more in love with it as each mile passed. Every time I drive it is a joy. The gas mileage has been 29 mpg combined with well over 30 on the highways. I love the fact that I dont feel like I am driving a small car. When I was shopping the Mazda 3 came in second place in my list of cars, and though the Astra was a little more expensive, it had a better warranty and more safety features.

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  Sad Sad Sad - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By lostinslc - July 5 - 9:19 am

  I bought this 08 Saturn Vue brand new, first car ever I was able to take off the showroom floor. As a 22 year GM dedicated consumer I felt I was in good hands, boy I was wrong. In 4 years I have replaced the tires three times, the power steering pump twice, the engine mounts, and the battery fried out after one year. GM wont back their repairs and their product and they expect us to be happy with a $30,000 vehicle that keeps breaking down. Sorry to say, I may become a Ford man now, goodbye GM.

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  Stay Away! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By sandmanz66 - July 3 - 10:30 am

  I bought this car because, at the time I thought my 2003 had been ruined by a quick oil change company. The engine died at 150k. The dealership offered me 1k for the dead car to buy a 2007. I did and regretted it from day one. The engine on the 07 died at 52k miles. I had 2 steering replacements the first costing over 800 dollars. The trunk bar broke almost after a month. The car sounds like its ready to break in half when you hit an average sized bump. The transmission was really quirky when accelerating. The interior stained way to easily and was cheap. There was a constant chirping sound from the front wheel area that would get fixed and happen again not long after. Im out of space now.

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  Wish Id kept my Quad Coupe - 2007 Saturn ION
  By dragonfair - July 3 - 2:26 am

  Traded in my quad coupe because it had a big bulls eye on it (kept getting hit by drivers not paying attention). Loved that car! The day I drove this car off the lot, I had a problem with the rotors being warped, then in 2008 the engine powered down twice due to a computer error that they were never able to duplicate so they couldnt fix. I live in fear that itll do it again while Im on the highway. Now, something seems off. Shaking when I slow down, squealing noise from the front left tire, feels like it bottoms out going over the tiniest bump. Idles roughly. Nothing near the mpg advertised. Wish Id just kept my other car & had it paid off by now.

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  excellant - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By academy - June 30 - 10:00 am

  i puchased my view about 3 weeks ago and i love it. I drive alot and it is great knowing that i now have a very dependable vehicle that doesnt slack going up the mountain.

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  Great car for your money - 2006 Saturn ION
  By zio - June 30 - 9:50 am

  This coupe is fun to drive and is styled very nicely. I especially like the bucket seats in the rear. Car drives smooth and handles well. The only negative is the rear view is small especially if you get a spoiler, but overall this car gives you a lot for your money.

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  Saturn - Like never before! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By JustinPHI - June 30 - 9:13 am

  Before the Sky and Aura were released, I would have never considered buying a Saturn. With some trepidation I took the plunge and couldnt be happier. The European styling (both inside and out) is superb and its drive matches its great looks. Ive received many complements from others driving far more expensive cars (who I think may be jealous). For its price, the ride is smooth, yet powerful when needed. The interior is very classy (wood trim, high quality rubber, excellent electronics design) and reminds me of an Audi. Ive been told the exterior resembles a Lexus/Infiniti and completely agree. It has some flaws, but not many - an excellent car at an excellent price.

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  Not a problem - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By My VUE - June 30 - 6:40 am

  I bought my Saturn VUE used in 2005. It had 42,000 miles on it. I love it. The only problem I had with my is that the battery died last year. That was the first time Id changed it since I got the car. The only complaints I have about the Vue is that you can hear outside noise, it rides a little rough and the interior is cheat. Other than that I love it and have had no problems and I would recommend the VUE.

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  Interior is a nightmare - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By d.riss - June 29 - 8:30 pm

  Very unhappy with interior layout. Car handles well. Mileage fair but interior design is an ergonomic nightmare,ie dashboard hard to read at night and also in bright sunlight. If it wasnt under lease it would be gone by now.

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  Best SUV for t he price! - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Saturnman - June 29 - 7:03 pm

  This is Saturn #3 for me. A 95 S series then a 2006 Vue, but the 2008 Saturn Vue is by far the finest compact SUV for the price. I love the performance, the road feel, the comfort, the styling. Love seeing in my driveway or in the parking lot. Would highly recommend pitting the 2008 Vue against any domestic or foreign competitors. Definetly put the 08 Saturn Vue on your shopping list!