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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  This car has my name! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ione - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I first saw this car on a bill board in St. Louis. I was trying to decide what kind of car I should buy and then here is this pretty, sporty car on a bill board saying, Here is your new car ION,- ------------------ by Saturn. My name is IONE and at first glance I thought that is what the sign said. I did not run right out and buy the car, I waited a few months. I love it, it is so much fun to drive, but it is small, but then I am single!

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  awesome - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By mark - January 10 - 4:50 am

  I just bought my v6 vue loaded with leather, I just cant say enough about it, I dont know why people says it gets bad gas milage, I am getting 27.5 mile per gallon on highway not bad for an suv and did I mention the power 257 hp wow and the 6 speed transmission is great. Too bad this company is going bye bye. The only thing this suv should have is seperate climate controls. So, if you are looking for a great suv with great looks, handling and power dont hesitate go and get yourself the xr v6 sat vue now before it is too late.

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  Great and fun car - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By richard - January 8 - 11:36 am

  Great car, great performance, awesome ride. Very stylish. Great gas mileage, 20/28. Test drive this car and I think you will fall in love with it, I did. Teenagers to adults will love this car

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  Great Car - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Teresa - January 6 - 2:06 am

  I could not be happier with the Sky. Mine is yellow. Its great looking, and handles the road. The only thing I wish I had done is gotten the red line and that the top would be power driven. The manual top is not hard to handle, just a nice convience to be powered.

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  Very good car - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By grobby - January 5 - 6:10 pm

  Purchased car new a year ago. First American car purchase. This is an excellant car. 06 buyers lucked out as Saturn put many upgraded features in it. Almost a completely different car than previous models. Car is easy to drive, quiet inside and fairly comfortable. I am glad I bought it. No problems to date.

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  happy camper - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By happy camper - January 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. I test drove several highly rated SUVs, but decided on the Vue because of its get-up-and-go and looks. I like the way it handles and the safety ratings impressed me. I appreciated that Saturn did the recall with haste. I appreciated Saturns no- hassle sales.

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  Classy, Practical SUV - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RHorstman - January 5 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I decided to buy a Vue because of the gas mileage it gets being an AWD vehicle. I comute about 70 miles each day, so the gas mileage was the main thing we were looking at. We also decided to go with the 2004 model since it had the new Honda engine and Im so glad we did!!! The engine is very powerful, but is also quiet. Its a very fun vehicle to drive and has also proven to be a safe one. Were so happy that we chose the Vue over the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape that we were looking at. Saturn salesman are outstanding also!

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  I like it - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By bob - January 4 - 6:10 am

  Rides well, and I love the polymer body. It has saved me on a couple paking lot carriage dings already. The passanger seat is great. When my wife drove, I fell asleep in the car. That never happened in any other vehicle but this one.

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  Economy & Fun - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Road Kill - December 29 - 11:56 pm

  Great value bought for the gas mileage, but found it to be a fun car to drive. Great gas mileage, Good cargo space and fine power on highways and through mountains. Recommend

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  My first brand new car - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By DocA - December 28 - 7:43 pm

  Overall love this car. Did alot of research and test drives of various cars before deciding this was my dream car. Sometimes I have nightmares. Ill be taking it in for the 8th time for the service traction control light coming on. The dealer has tried something different each time including have the roving Saturn Enginer come out & determine that the header was put on wrong and needed to be rebuilt. That took car of the problem for about 5 months and now its back. Very fustrations