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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  Dont buy.. Too many Suspension Problems - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By sunnibear - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Within 4 days of buying has to go into the shop for the front suspension. fixed broken tork bar but didnt fix problem took in in again one day later said could not find problem and that I had 36,000 miles on warranty so not to worry about it. Four days after that took it in again this time broken strut mount... it has now been 2 months and it is in the shop again Whole new front suspension...was told that they have been replacing alot of them

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  ANOTHER VUE CUSTOMER WITH TRAN PROBLEM - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rosetiger - March 26 - 12:13 am

  I just purchased this car about 3-4 months ago I have put 8000 miles on it which brings it to 78000 miles total on the car. I loved this car. I was driving it last week and the transmission just went out completely on me. I was looking on the internet and was so surprised that so many other people have had this same problem. I now have to get the transmission fixed and trade it in right away. This is unbelieveable and I would never get another saturn or recommend it to anyone. please do not purchase or you will have the same problem

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  Not too shabby, buy the 5 speed - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ed - March 23 - 2:00 am

  It is a great basic car to get you to point a to b and hopefully back to point a. NO frills no thrills its great on gas I can get about 320 miles mostly city driving some hwy. It is not too comfy and doesnt handle the best. If you can forgo some points, it is a great daily driver. Just make sure you get the 5 speed the cvt stinks and will break. The engine is noisy and has no power just know you will not merge too fast, just use your head and pre-plan entry exit off hwy. It has held up nicely so far. had to replace ball joints, sway bar links and motor mounts with wear and tear any car will need this stuff. The 5 speed shifts nice it is made by Getrag, same as BMW supplier

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  water leaks, bad strut mounts - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By upset2 - March 20 - 11:33 am

  At first we loved this car, then the problems started. Ive had it in twice for doors leaking from sunroof drain tubes, going to take it again soon. Seats are ruined from water damage. Have had the strut mounts replaced, windshield wiper blades recalled, cant seem to get the popping noises fixed underneath. We are very upset, also the car wont even make it up our driveway because of the gravels. It stinks for a front wheel drive! wish we never traded. I feel like we have been cheated. This car is a lemon!!

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  Transmission Troubles - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By G. Blake - March 15 - 11:33 pm

  I purchased a 2004 Saturn Vue used in Oct. 2007 and in July 2009 the Transmission in the car went without any warning signs. I have kept up the maintenance on this vehicle since the purchase date and I am now having trouble with the extended warranty company and the Lease holder in repairing the vehicle.

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  Just Average - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By BC - March 14 - 4:26 pm

  Not much to look at inside and out. The seats are aveage in comfort. It is an A to B vehicle. Average is the best discription of this SUV.

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  Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By dasab - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I am averaging only 21 mph even thou the vehicle states 21-27 mph on the 4 cylinder. The horn design is unsafe. At night you cannot tell where to activate the horn. The engine due to the transmission design is very noisy until you have reached the desired speed. Overall I would rate the vehicle just average. The fuel pump was noisy and was replaced within the first six weeks of use.

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  Want lemonade? Buy a Saturn - 2006 Saturn ION
  By My 1st Saturn - January 29 - 12:23 pm

  I purchased my Saturn on 10/23/06. I was told that the ION 2 was the best fuel efficient vehicle on the market. I get only 24 MPG which most of my miles are highway. It also has slow take off. I am very disappointed in this vehicle. I have been given poor customer service and I keep getting the run around from the dealership. My next step is to contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney Generals office. If you are looking to buy a new car, dont buy a Saturn ION 2 unless you plan on spending double in gas per week.

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  Not Such A Great Deal Afterall - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Kristen - January 6 - 9:46 am

  When I first bought the car, I liked it. Maybe just because it was my first car. Since then, its been disappointed over and over. The locking mechanism fell into the door; the ignition switch, starter, ECU, and battery had to be replaced at 30k miles for no apparent reason; the shift lock solenoid needs replacing or the key wont turn all the way back; even after replacement of recalled signal assembly, its still bad. Ive had nothing but problems with this car and cant wait to get rid of it! I will never, ever buy a Saturn ever again. This car was a huge disappointment!

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  Vegas Saturn - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By 3 time saturn owner - December 30 - 1:23 am

  I have had more problems with this Saturn than any other. We have had problems with the air conditioning not blowing cold air (the dealer stated that it was blowing fine, but for us the air was coming out hot), the child lock on the rear passenger door engages on its own trapping riders in the van, the wiring was faulty so the van would not start, and now the suspension is creaking. I havent even owned the vehicle for a year yet. The dealer is a 45 minute drive from my house and it takes them all day to fix anything. I am truly disappointed with this experience and do not plan on owning a Saturn again