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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  Back to American Company - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By JoJo - January 13 - 9:46 am

  I traded my first 98 Saturn SL2 for a 02 VW Jetta, huge mistake. By 30,000 miles and 2 years, I had to get it fixed 15 times. So I traded for a 06 Saturn Vue AWD V6. I had the vehicle for 3 years, not one stinking problem. We had a foot of snow, this vehicle did amazingly well and no worries. The gas mileage is like a car, so Im not paying any more than I used to. This is a very reliable vehicle, only had to get oil changes and new tires. The power windows did not get stuck in the frost/ice like the Jetta did (three times). I have done LONG road trips and no problems with cruise control or comfort. I am extremely happy with my Vue, with the help of Honda under the hood.

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  Best Saturn So Far - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Joe G - January 12 - 6:30 pm

  This is the best Saturn of the four Ive owned. Its fun, sporty, handsome, luxurious, and decent on gas. It rides extremly quiet, and turns heads whereever I go. On the highway, I get about 29MPG, while around town its more like 20. I dont expect much better than that in this class of car anyway. Its really the same car as the Chev. Malibu, but I really like the look of the Saturn better. Lots of gadgets and toys to play with too. I love the LED light in the cabin, my leather seats, all the safety features and the remote start. If your in the market for a decent midsize, I think youll be pleased with her!

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  Very Satisfied - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By EC Saturn - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle because I needed something with a little more room and better ground clearance than what I had in my Olds Alero. Of all the SUVs that I drove, only the Saturn was able to provide me with AWD and an exterior that would be able to resist the light offroad use I would be incurring. It hauls everything inside that I need. The interior is a nice plastic that I havent been able to tear up as aposed to former vehicles. The engine and the 5 speed automatic have been able to provide me with enough performance and economy to be very happy.

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  No wonder GM dumped Saturn - 2003 Saturn ION
  By coloman - January 10 - 8:50 pm

  From the start it was good, but man with in a few months took a dump! Starts sometimes and others times nothing, but we have had it check and no mechanic can find anything. Coolant light on, cant get it off no one knows why no leaks, holds pressure. Blinkers keep burning out and blinker burning out recall has been done by dealer. Please dont buy one these cars!

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  Phils review - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By philip baldwin - January 8 - 2:20 pm

  After much research I decided on the Aura XR and Im glad I did. I find it to be very comfortable, I have cloth seats, and extremely quiet to drive. Its steering is responsive, ride is not boaty and feels very secure. Lots of standard features for the money. Looks great, runs great. I now, also know what Saturn satisfaction is all about. If I was given the choice to buy all over again, Id head right for Saturn and not bother testing the other cars I tested, now knowing what I know. The only thing I might do differently is, this time get that panoramic sunroof they offer.

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  LEMON - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Blessedmann - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I had my Saturn Vue V6 for about 1 month it has been in the shop 8 different times sense I am now going to use the LEMON Law on this vehicle.

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  Dont be fooled by GM Marketing Dept. - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By pCow10 - January 7 - 2:23 pm

  This is a large, very comfortable SUV. But, we purchased this vehicle over competitors based on advertised fuel economy of 10/26. Those number are a comlete lie - our Saturn averages about 12 mpg in town and 17 mpg highway. If you need a truck this size, its good, but be warned - you will get traditional SUV mileage - dont believe GMs lies about its efficiency.

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  Best in class - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Nancy Lippert - January 7 - 5:50 am

  After owning a Mercedes ML and a BMW X5, the Saturn Outlook competes very well even in the luxury segment. Pure quiet and a great ride.

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  Much better than a Ford! - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Jen - January 6 - 8:06 pm

  We had a Ford Windstar (now the Freestar) and had nothing but problems. Then we got into the Relay. It has a smoother drive, quiter ride, more room, and of course all of its fancy standard options. We look forward to many long road trips with our Relay . . . Great deal for the price.

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  Im Done - 2003 Saturn ION
  By jewelz - January 2 - 11:13 pm

  Door lock collapsed into the door, daylight running lights went out 3 times, lowest fan speed squeaks, everything stains the seats (even water), interior plastic doesnt line up/panels fell off on the inside, you have to get used to using your mirrors b/c you cant see out the back, hard/flat seats, cd player skips, the horn is hard to press, not enough ground clearance, gear shift obstructs cupholders, grinding noise from steering wheel, bad smell comes from AC, key got stuck in the ignition. I saved the worst for last- The transmission slips and the car jerks forward and the service guys dont believe you because they cant replicate the problem, fun times!