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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  A new VUE - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By stu - August 16 - 12:40 pm

  I went to the dealer expecting to buy a 2007 hybrid VUE. The hybrid had electrical problems so I tried on an 08 base VUE for size. The 08 had a superior ride to not only the 07 but every other small SUV I had tried. I bought a 4 cyl so the performance is sluggish but it still has get up and go when you really need it. Steering and agility is great for a vehicle of its size. Most of all its styling seems to be a decade ahead of the 07. The gas mileage could be better but keep in mind that its 08 EPA numbers wont look so bad when we see all the other SUV 08 numbers. All in all the 2008 VUE is very nice ride for an SUV.

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  Good so far - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Corey - August 16 - 6:30 am

  Ive had the 2005 VUE V-6 for about 15000 miles. Gas mileage is a consistent 28 highway and 20-22 around town. Good leg room all around... good power when needed. Crash test ratings re high for this vehicle. With all of that factored in, my overall opinion is usually formed when I hit about 120k - 130k miles. If there are no major problems by then, then Im usually satisfied that Ive gotten my moneys worth.

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  I love my ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ang - August 14 - 12:40 pm

  Im a college student and needed a newer car, something affordable. I found my Saturn with only 5600 miles, only a year old. Since Ive put 18,000 miles on it (In less then a year) and it takes my wear and tear. Its trendy and professional looking. I would definetly buy another one. Its a wonderful, affordable car. I love it.

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  Thankfully trading it in - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Alex - August 13 - 7:30 pm

  This cars bad points outweigh the good. After long trips it shuts off at your first stop light. No room in the back. Forget about a rear-facing infant seat - no matter where you put it you will crush the person in front. Went through 4 sets of tires in 3 years because nobody could align properly. Interior stains from rain coming in the windows - (no matter what direction/how hard the rain it pours right in the window). Too many electrical/mechanichal problems to count (most but not all under warranty)

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  Do not buy a Saturn - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Diego - August 13 - 7:10 pm

  It is 2009 and I have 870000 kilometers and had transmission problems since last year but now the transmission has quit completely. We called Saturn Canada and they have towed our VUE at their expense to North Bay Saturn for inspection. If the vehicle in their opinion "has not been abused" they will absorb most of the cost of replacing the tranny. We bought the VUE new and drive it from April to Jan. as we go south for the winter- the reason for the low milage. Im afraid they will tell us that the fault is our s even though we have reported the problem to them twice in the last year with "no problem found". If it gets fixed I am trading it in for another brand. I wont buy another Saturn.

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  LEMON!! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By mquinn97 - August 8 - 6:23 pm

  This is my second Vue and I wish I had heeded the quality issues I had with my first. This one has simply been a nightmare to own. 6 weeks after purchase the clutch cable broke and it had to be towed back to the dealer. Now Ive had it just shy of 1 year and its been into the dealer for a recurring problem with deceleration at least 5 times, each time they keep it for almost a week!! I think I am almost qualified for the lemon law. When coasting to a slower speed while exiting a freeway once it drops below 50 mph if I try to accelerate again I get nothing - the pedal can go to the floor and there is no response. Speed drops, RPMs drop. Dealership cant seem to fix it.

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  Best Crossover of 2007! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By jholenko - August 8 - 1:46 pm

  I recently owned an 03 TrailBlazer and this has so much more power and giddyupness. Its amazing that it gets such fuel economy. Very beautiful colors available also. No icky colors. Very quiet. Very much recommend. Best 8 passenger CUV in the market today. 10/10 stars. Seriously, drive one. You will love it.

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  Awesome - 2003 Saturn ION
  By SaturnFan21 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is completely awesome and more than a match for the others out there. I drag race on an 1/8th mile strip and have beaten a 2002 Toyota Celica GT and a number of Honda Civic EXs. Completely underrated and bashed by car mags, this Ion is amazing.

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  2003 ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Nerissa - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my ION Sedan, previously I owned a 2001 VW Jetta. The ION does not have the performance of the Jetta, but in terms of interior room and comfort it wins hands down. I love my ION!

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  Trade-in value - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By cinderella - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has absolutely no trade-in value. Very much over-priced. It has a sticker price and everything else is extra. So the sticker is not accurate.