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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  Unhappy Outlook Owner - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Wet Outlook Owner - August 6 - 6:06 am

  We did a lot of research before buying this car. We have always been a Toyota family. We saw the Outlook and decided it was a match for us. We have had air conditioning issues since the second day we had the car. The air, when it is hot outside, will blow hot air. It kicks on and off doing that. Had it to the dealer 3 times for fix. They had to replace the entire control console. Then we had the car flooded 3 times because the sunroof is leaking. Terrible design allowing so much water to come into the car leaking from the sunroof. The transmission also seems to lag when shifting gears. We have had the car in for repairs a total of 8 times in 6 months. Toyota we will be back soon!

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  Lemon - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By fab - July 16 - 5:13 pm

  I had a Vue before I got the Relay and loved it but the Relay is another story. It has been worked on by the dealer 7 times in less than 4 years. All 7 times has been for the same problems! Its not the dealer because I have been to 2 with the same results. Dont waste your money on this car and save yourself a headache.

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  Saturn Relay 2006- Check out the ride - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By david nelson - July 10 - 2:06 pm

  Having many problems with rough ride. Tires replaced, extensive investigation of rough ride, dealership states "interent to the vehicle". I will never buy another saturn. Only started happening about 15,000 miles.

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  Do not buy a Saturn aura! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By kelly080 - July 2 - 7:31 pm

  This is by far the worst car I have ever had. This car has had issues ever since the day I bought it 5 years ago. To name a few... Replaced the alternator, brakes work opposite of how they should ( when I press the brake pedal the lights go off and visa versa), problems with the starter (still havent resolved), cruise control doesnt work, Radio doesnt turn off when I turn off my car or open the door, and most recently spent over 2000 dollars to have the wave plates replaced in the transmission. Wouldnt recommend this car to my worst enemy.

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  Worst Car - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Danielle - June 29 - 11:36 am

  I brought my car after leasing a Honda Accord coupe after 3 years. The Aura was definitely a large downgrade. They had to change my brake pads after 3000 miles. The car is rattling when you hit a bump. My two year old son got stuck in the seatbelt. My keyless remote goes out every 6 months they already replaced it twice and it needs to be replaced again. I will be buying a new or used foreign car next time.

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  What Vue? - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By notsogoodvue - June 28 - 2:36 pm

  I have been reading some pretty bad things about the VUE and thought I was the only one with the same problems everyone is having with this god-awful car. Not only did no one tell me about the transmission and wheel bearing problems but I was not please to know that my warranty had expired 2 months before I paid a ton of money getting some transmission work done. And of course Saturn is the only place who can fix the problem so you can spend more money on this piece of crap car! I am trading this car in soon to avoid future problems and not ever recommending Saturns to anyone!

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  JUNK - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By YoseMom - June 26 - 12:30 am

  JUNK I had been waiting for over five years for Saturn to come out with a minivan. But this is not a Saturn (and Saturn isnt the company it used to be) it is a piece of junk. Constantly in the shop. Over heats going uphills (even with the heater on full blast)Brakes unreliable, smoke going down hill even in 2nd gear, sometimes brakes dont take when coming to stop signs. Finally got the ABS light fixed $2000 later. Passenger door still doesnt close right. Makes grinding noise sometimes when starts, sometimes doesnt start at all. NOT SAFE. I wish I had never bought it. Still owe between $5000 and $10000 more than its worth on it. Anyone heard of any class action suits with/about it yet?

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  VTI Transmission - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By hanknbetsy - June 23 - 10:00 am

  The VUE in itsself is a good car however the transmission is horrible and has an unfixable problem...Saturn refuses to do anything about it....I considar it false advertising, and am dissapointed with the service connected with it. However the saturn of pensacola has been very helpful, and I acknoledge that it isnt their fault, and appreciate all their help.

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  Saturn ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Fielder - May 26 - 6:20 am

  Center console is awkward. Have to take eyes off the road to check speed or read displays. All arrows are in BRIGHT RED making my heart rate jump every time I look at it. Back end of car is too high for good visibility. I dont feel SAFE. Mileage is poor, as low as 8 (eight!) miles per gallon, highest has been 24 mpg. Trunk opening is too small, even though the trunk itself is roomy, cant get anything bigger than a small box inside it. Tires are hard to change. Front end is so long and car is so low it drags every time I hit a speed bump or dip. Cant see front and back of vehicle from inside, so hard to figure out where I am in relation to outside objects. I HATE this car!

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  Car Wont Start - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Saturn Stinks! - May 19 - 5:40 pm

  I bought a Saturn because I thought they were reliable and Saturn always made such a big deal of their great service. What a joke! I have the same IC chip problem in the ignition as lots of others. Before I knew this I contacted Saturn and they were absolutely not helpful. Told me to take it to a local GM dealer or drive and hour to the nearest Saturn dealer. No wonder they went out of business. I will never buy and never recommend a Saturn to anyone.