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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  Watch out Camry and Honda! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Mr. Saturn X3 - July 15 - 11:10 pm

  My wife and I were on our way to the Honda dealer when we made a turn into the Saturn dealership. My wife and I saw the Aura XR in Silver Pearl and the Honda dealer never saw us again. We get compliments from complete strangers and they cant believe its a Saturn. Some drivers even stare at our Aura while on the road, but we prefer they keep their eyes on the road.

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  New Vue AWD V6 Owner - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By ZenBro - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased the AWD, 6 cylinder Vue today. On my return trip of 80 miles, I filled the gas tank up as full as I could get, at a station right on the expressway. I set the trip meter to zero, and proceeded to drive the 80 miles of expressway, with the cruise set at 65mph, and the AC off. I had to pass 4 semitrucks, at a max speed of 75mph. I got off the interstate and refilled the gas tank as full as I could. It took 2.38 gallons to get it completely full. This works out to 33mpg, which is amazing for an AWD vehicle!! I will be keeping track of the gas mileage, to make sure this wasnt an anomaly of any kind, and will report the results.

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  Great deal. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Pilot Larry - July 15 - 10:00 am

  For the price it is a great deal. It is fun to drive, and the view from the cabin is great. I would not complain about the interior. For the cost, the interior is very pleasing. The seats are comfortable and the seat adjustments are good. A lot of my friends comment on the good looks and interior room of the VUE. Overall, I think the VUE is a great deal and I am very satisfied. Forget the EPA ratings. I had the same problem with a Mazda pickup. I found out that the EPA fuel ratings are based on a test on a stationary "treadmill". If you know about aerodynamics, you will know that the wind resistance reduces mileage.

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  WOW - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By John Ingram - July 15 - 9:53 am

  We shopped and shopped and thought Toyota and Honda would be our choice. Then we went to Saturn of Danbury in CT. The staff was amazing but even more impressive was the Relay minivan. The features and safety, combined with how we were treated made the selection a no brainer. Driving and purchasing has made me a believer again in American cars. GO SATURN!

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  What a LEMON - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ron - July 11 - 10:30 am

  I bought my 2006 Saturn Ion in July of 2006.Ever since I bought this car it`s been a problem.First week I own the car I had to get a new radio installed.The second week a spark plug had to be replaced. Six months later the car shook badly every time I stopped and still does to this day (7- 10-10) had it at the dealership countless times for the shaking.they claim nothing wrong with it. I recently had to get a waiver from the state of Pennsylvania because my check engine light won`t go out even after it was re-programmed by a authorized dealer. This car is nothing but a LEMON!

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  This care is unsafe. Ticking time bomb. - 2007 Saturn ION
  By solofreerunner - July 11 - 2:42 am

  this car is unsafe and terrible. problems since day one. inside falls apart, had a gas leak (could have been fatal), steering problems, brake problems. my wife was driving her 2007 saturn ion on november 5th 2010 on the way to work when the steering wheel locked completely and the brakes did not work. she had no choice but to roll through a stoplight and was almost hit from both sides. sounds like a lawsuit to me. all these cars should be destroyed. i am embarrassed to drive this car. my wife deserves better. saturn went out of business probably because their customer service is terrible, and so are their cars. they charged us one hundred dollars "just to look" at the brakes when they...

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  I love my ION Red Line - 2005 Saturn ION
  By XXAGILEXX - July 10 - 7:20 am

  I have had my Red Line for a lil over a year now. I love it! As a matter of fact my best friend took me to the dealer to buy it and ended up buying the same car. His black, mine red. He didnt believe me about it until he walked in and saw the car, and he asked " What is that, because I like it." So we got the last two on the lot for a steal because the 06s were pushing. He wanted a Mazda6, but forgot all about that when he got in the Red Line. I cant wait till I get back home from Iraq to drive it again. Spc. Ismael Maneiro JR US Army, Bagdad Iraq

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  ion is geat - 2003 Saturn ION
  By berrz - July 6 - 2:00 am

  my new ion is a great car. its fun to drive, quiet, and pretty good mileage.

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  Try it youll like it - 2003 Saturn ION
  By oleytwo - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Drive a lot 40-50K a year. So far best value out there. Its not a Lexus, but for the money its hard to beat. 2500 miles avg. 30MPG, fair amount of room, 0%, good power, rides good, beat it.

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  Will drive it until it dies! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By RatPack25 - July 4 - 4:00 pm

  Picked up my Ion new in 03. Car was well priced for what I got (sunroof, auto trans, etc.) Is good gas mileage car, and has enough pep to keep up in city traffic. 3 problems Ive had: hood release cable snapped twice, sunroof cover got jammed (was replaced), and drivers side window has trouble going up and down when its cold (have to hit the door a couple times to make it work). Otherwise, this car has given me no mechanical problems, and has been a very reliable daily driver. I plan on driving it until it dies, or becomes too costly to repair.