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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  Almost Perfect - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Chris1112 - September 20 - 8:46 am

  This car is amazing and really turns heads. It handles amazingly well, even if it is slightly underpowered for a sportscar enthusiast. The Redline version has more horsepower and better fuel economy, so theres little reason not to get one instead. There are minor convenience issues to note, like the hard to read gauges and limited cargo room. If thats nothing you cant handle, then I highly recommend grabbing one. Of the several dozen Sky owners I have contact with, not one regrets their purchase.

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  What we thought it would be....and more - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Damian - September 20 - 12:00 am

  We first saw the ION at the Auto Show in Houston in early February. The value and sharp looks attracted my wife and I to it right away. She was already driving a Saturn and loved it so we looked into getting her the ION. Its been just over a month and we absolutely love it. Handles extremely well and is very fun to drive. Guage cluster in the middle of the dash is different , but nice. Without a doubt, one of the best decisions weve ever made.

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  DO NOT BUY A SATURN 2007 OUTLOOK - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By gftodd - September 18 - 6:48 pm

  I have had problems with this car since I bought it used in 2009. This car is a disgrace and I fear driving every time I get in the car. My husband was just driving it recently on a major highway and the car just stalled out and he couldnt steer. Now how about if that was me and my 6 yr old son and we would have gotten into a major accident. I had to buy a new transmission, struts, now its in the shop again for another problem. Do research on any car before you buy. I will never buy another GM again. I always told people to buy AMERICAN but apparently they dont care about screwing us over!!

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Joe - September 15 - 4:03 am

  I really like my 2007 Aura. The car is fun to drive and honestly, it feels like i am sitting in a much more expensive car. It performs great and has more than enough pick-up and despite many negative reviews, i like how the vehicle brakes. The car is very quiet, so much so that with out the radio on and doing 70 on the highway, i heard virtually nothing.

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  One thing after another - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Ric - September 10 - 6:13 pm

  My wife and I researched vehicles for months and finally decided on the Outlook. Since purchasing last July the vehicle has been in the shop 8 times. I didnt expect this for the amount that we paid. The list includes everything from a leaking sunroof to a series of rattles and vibrations throughout the vehicle to shorts in the electrical system. Given the choice to do it again, we would not buy a Saturn.

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  Dont buy one - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Tami Vitali - September 9 - 6:53 am

  I had my 2007 in the shop over 90days the first year of ownership. They were really nice until I decided to file the lemon Law on it. The leaks were horrible and the milage was never what they claimed. I believe that there are electrical issues now from all the water that it had.

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  BEWARE of Saturn ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Nickelback Rules - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car less than a year and it has been in for repairs nearly a dozen times. In fact, it is in the repair shop right now waiting for a new fan motor to be shipped in and replaced. We just got it out 8 days ago for a faulty pass code sensor (I coulnt start my car). THIS CAR IS A NIGHTMARE!!!!!!

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  I LUV MY VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Dave305 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  By far a superb SUV. Service of the Vue is superb and the service departments of all Saturn dealerships is far above anyone else.

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  Larger than life - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Skiipole - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Have you ever had to chane a childs diaper in the backseat of a car? I did with room to spare! I was just about standing in the backseat with plenty of rrom for me and my child to do the task quickly, safely and warm (it was a Buffalo WINTER!) I had a L200 and the vue cost less and is beeter! If you had a Saturn than all the features are familiar places.Comfortable (leather heated seats) fun (5 speed trans and sunroof) sharp to look at (nice alloy rims) easy to driv (same ride as L series but higher and better visablity)

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  My new 2003 Ion - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ed M - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Saturn from this dealer. I also have a 1998 Saturn SL2 and the 2003 is a big improvment.I like the center console.Im short and I now sit higher in the car.I get around 30 mpg. Its a good reliable car my old 1998 Saturn has 139,000 on it and still runs great.The people at the dealership are great and the service is great also.Ill buy my next car at this dealer.