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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  Saturn does not get enough credit - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By AJ - February 25 - 9:16 pm

  I love my VUE. Saturn prices are reasonable, we were able to get the top of the line vehicle at a reasonable price compared to other car manufacters. It is fun to drive. I feel safe. It has awesome pick-up, and a smooth ride. This is the second Saturn Ive owned and I am hooked.

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  Best Mid-Size Sedan! - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By mseymour - February 25 - 10:43 am

  I bought my new Aura a month ago. I spend a lot of time in a car (95 mile round trip commute). This car is the most comfortable riding car I have ever owned, and that is from coming out of a 2004 CTS. Ride is very comfortable on the highway and it handles great for a sedan I am currently averaging just over 30 mpg. The sound system (advanced audio) is incredible. Interior noise is almost null. Excellent styling turns heads everywhere I go. This new Aura is definitely the most car for the money in the mid-size sedan segment. With everything that is in it, I would have expected to pay thousands more.

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  Great Car - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Kristy Little - February 23 - 2:30 pm

  I have been an owner of the Saturn Ion sine 2003. I have been very satisfied and have not had any problems with my car. It is fun to drive, with great fuel economy. I would highly recommend a Saturn to anyone looking to not spend too much, but have a fun and relaible car.

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  Fantastic Automobile - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By CSL - February 22 - 10:16 am

  We purchased this car for my wife in May of 2008. A life long Honda/Toyota owner, she pursued test driving those makes. Accords, Civics, Corollas, Nissans, she test drove them all, often several times. She came away unsatisfied with all of them for one reason or another (style, driving experience, interior quality.) Then, on the way to test drive yet another Accord (YAWN) she saw an Aura on the road and that was that. The cars beauty, performance, engineering, and price were absolutely second to none. Perfect car. People offer positive comments about the car often...

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  Great Mid-Sized SUV - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Buzzy66212 - February 21 - 8:03 pm

  I just love this SUV. Its great looking, easy to drive and very roomy. It was the best car buying experience I have ever had. The Saturn dealerships are wonderful!

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  uncomfortable seats - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By marta Cano - February 19 - 12:53 pm

  The person who designed the drivers seat did not sit in it for long periods of time. I drive 3 hrs everyday and at the end of the day have severe back pain, and at the end of the week I have back pain and neck pain. I told this to a coworker who also owns a Saturn and drives almost as much as I do and his answer was " yes, their seats are not comfortable". My son in law owns an ION and has the same complaint about "their seats are uncomfortable".

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  HAD MY DOUBTS..BUT IM FINE NOW!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By HRP53 - February 19 - 10:00 am

  GREAT PICK UP AND HANDLING.GOOD FUEL ECONOMY,SPACIOUS INSIDE, NICE OUTSIDE DESIGN. PLASTIC SIDE PANELS AND DOORS SAVE ON PARKING LOT DENTS AND YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!! I HAVE AWD BUT I THINK FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH. HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED AWD?

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  Finally some innovation from GM - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By SBudd - February 18 - 3:13 pm

  We traded a Chrysler minivan in the hopes of getting a vehicle that was just as versatile, yet easy on the eyes and decent on fuel economy. We chose the Saturn over the Acadia because of the looks (the Acadia was too "chromie", in our opinion) and the uncomplicated purchase process. It literally has it all: versatility, comfort, solid build, space, looks, and a V6 (versus a thirsty V8). We dont go offroading or tow a trailer, so this was perfect. Long trip comfort (500 miles) was excellent! No "trucky" feel. This is the first new GM vehicle I have ever purchased, and did so because of the innovation they have finally demonstrated. I hope first model year issues do not arise.

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  Perfect Fit - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By EmmasMom - February 17 - 12:50 pm

  Originally, I was not even considering the Vue since I get a Dodge discount because of family members working there. I was going to get a Nitro. But I decided to go try out the Saturn and boy am I glad I did. As soon as I saw them up close and the great interior I was hooked. It has great lines and very fun to drive. I tried the 4 and the 6. I went with the 4 for the increased fuel economy and for me its fine. I am no speed demon. But the 6 would have been nice but not worth the increased cost to me personally.

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  Not a Good First Impression - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By nothappy - February 15 - 11:16 pm

  I have owned my Vue for less than a month and am not very happy. The first day we bought the Vue we went to activate the OnStar and the button pushed into the ceiling and had to be replaced. It took them 3 weeks to fix it because they could not get the part. Finally after my third visit they took the part off another Vue I hate the door handle on the passenger door it sticks if pulled from the side. The dealer told us it is made that way and that we just need to pull the handle straight out and not from the side to avoid it from sticking (great design there). There is no storage I have to leave my childs stroller at home if I want to carry any other items. I miss my Honda.