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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  What quality control? - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Indy Outlook - June 15 - 9:06 am

  ABS brake system clicks everytime you start the car doing a self diagnosis. Very annoying. Dealer says this is normal. Power seats have a rough spot in the fore/aft adjustment. Three new sets of rails were sent, all defective. Dealer removed rails from new vehicle on the lot and replaced ours. Same problem, now passenger seat does the same thing. Rear seat cushion does not latch properly. Dealer inspected other new Outlooks and all do the same thing. Dealer says this is normal. Loud engine sound when warm possibly power steering related, dealer can not identify. Concidering trading after 12K miles. Has been in the shop 12 days in 6 months.

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  disappointed - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Mrs. Elder - May 31 - 10:00 am

  The transmission is lacking power & performance. A possible bearing in the frontend is knocking. The body doesnt match up like it should. Something in the doors is scratching the glass. The dealership has looked at & tried to repair these things, but wants someone from the manufacturer to look at it. This may be in the first week or two of September.

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  Too many visits to dealership - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Lesa - May 29 - 11:16 am

  31,000 miles and has been at the dealership several times with the same issue, transmission, torque converter, or they say. Corporate says that the problem is normal for the Vue. If normal then would be there from day 1. Still rattling noise and hesitations after past last gear. Would never own another Saturn again. Zipping noise when turning steering wheel. Dealer says normal for car again.

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  Unhappy customer - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By acerjac - May 23 - 1:16 am

  Purchase our vue in Nov. The first week we had it the check engine light came on and the panel went out. The dealer reset the code and told us it was the gas cap. After another week or two the check engine light came on again. To make a long story short. We have had our vue in 8 or 9 times to the dealer. Parts have been replaced and wire harnesess spliced. We requested a buy back from GM. My wifes father worked for GM for 35 years. The bottom line is they told us too bad. Offered extended warrenty only. The dealer would not even work with us on a trade in. Offered 21000 for trade on a 30000 vue with 3000 miles. I will NEVER buy GM again. Avoid the problems stay away from this and saturn.

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  Wheres the quality and customer service - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By OhioSaturn - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Not nearly the experience I was hoping for. It started out as a nice car, but a string of problems including: hood deflector coming loose (three times), strange noises from the steering assembly, front struts making noises, squeaks and rattles and finally an odometer that quit working, have left me very un-impressed with Saturn. The total lack of interest from the dealership, or the corporate office about the string of problems Ive had, or the impact of a defective odometer on resale value, has left me wondering where all the great customer service is that Saturn keeps bragging about.

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  I will not buy another Saturn. - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Charles - April 5 - 12:26 pm

  I bought this car new. I have the key stuck in the ignition problem. The car wouldnt turn off. I could not remove the key. The car is less than three years old. The warranty has passed because of the mileage. The dealer refuses to even look at it unless I agree to pay. The ignition switch does not wear with mileage. This should not break within three years. I have searched the internet and this seems to be a common occurance with this car. This should be a recall but isnt. If you want me to buy a new car from you then stand behind the broken one you already sold me!! I am looking for a new second car. I was going to buy the Vue, but now it wont be a Saturn.

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  Noisey Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By bob0029 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Vue looks great cant complain about that. As far as noise the engine sounds like tin cans rolling around the engine compartment. Brakes and steering are great. Ride is also great. The Vue feels a little light on bumps. The only and real complaint is the V6 Engine in the FWD 2003 Vue. Have to keep the radio on to not hear the engine.

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  Yugos were better. - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By Daddyainthappy - February 10 - 8:40 am

  Not really but not far off. I had this thing in the shop four times while it was under warranty for an annoying popping/clicking noise in the front end. Each time they said they had it fixed and alas, it is now out of warranty and still pops.Oh, and the service engine light came on about 2000 miles after warranty expired. The computer code shows the catalytic converter is not functioning properly. Now my transmission is slipping horribly. Fluid is clean and has always been full. This van has not been driven hard or fast. It is simply a lemon and from looking at the other reviews, it is not alone in its misery.

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  Hate it! Never again, Saturn! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Laura - January 15 - 11:46 am

  My 03 Ion2 is the 7th Saturn I have owned and will never purchase another because of it. I had the tires and brake rotors replaced at less than 25K miles, and again now, at 56K miles. I had the running lamps fixed (recall) more than once. There is a thumping noise when I turn left at slow speeds, the road noise is loud, shifting hesitates at 3rd-4th (w/ auto trans) and it sucks down oil. 18 months ago the radio stopped working; Saturn said it was defective and for $300 theyd replace it. I took it back, thinking it was a short because when you hit a bump it came back on/off, they said it wasnt and wont fix it, and rolled their eyes at me! Im trading it in ASAP!

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  HAPPY WITH CAR, BUT... - 2006 Saturn ION
  By squeegie - December 25 - 4:47 pm

  I bought a 2006 Saturn ION 3 with 5 sp manual transmission back in Aug 2010. I love the car when there are no problems, but boy, when there are problems, there are problems! I had to replace the ignition switch cos of a bad sensor. The PassLock system wouldnt let me start the car because of this. It "thought" the car was being stolen so the engine wouldnt start. 2 days ago, the power steering light came on & I lost my power steering. The book said to take it to the dealer, so I did. That is when I found out that there is a recall from GM. Fortunately, my car has less than 100k miles, so the price of the repair was covered under the recall.