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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  Saturn VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Wissam Zaatar - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The saturn vue drives great and handles very well in the snow.I own the v6 awd and it is fun to drive in the rain or the snow.I do not have any thing negative to say about my vue

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  Bye Bye Si - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Black_RL - June 11 - 8:30 pm

  I recently bought a RL and have been very pleased. It is rated at 205 bhp and unlike most cars that is what you will be getting at the wheels not the crank. In a straight line it will blow away a 06 Civic Si everytime. Also there are rumors that GM is releasing "Performance Upgrade" kits to boost the performance to 252 bhp and 240 lb/ft of torque.

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  First time Saturn owner. - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By drew212f - June 11 - 2:10 am

  The exterior styling is what made my wife and I even bother to take a look at a Saturn. We picked one out with 4 miles on it and the A/C broke after 12 miles of driving away from the dealership. We used the 30 day option and replaced the vehicle with an exact copy but it had a paint bubble on the shifter trim ring. Dealership fixed the issue and my wife is happy. No other issues to report after 200 miles. We are happy with our decision to purchase an 08 VUE XR over an 07 RAV4 Sport, we test drove both on the same day.

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  SO FAR SO GOOD. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By DONT BUY A VW - June 10 - 10:06 pm

  We bought it Jan 2004. First 11 months its been fine.I dont like customer service and their service recomendations.You dont need your tires balanced every 6000 miles. The only problems Ive had are leg room and MPG.And customer service.Im 64" and if the drivers seat isnt all the way back, my shin hits the underside of the dash. Fortunately, my wife drives it. Unfortunately, I drive a VW JETTA - the worst car on earth. And whats up with the MPG? Im getting 19 or so. ITS A 4 CYL!!! I could understand if it was a fast 4 cyl, but the thing wont get out of its own way (Especially with the air on).They cant tell EVERYONE that its because of our driving habits.....CAN THEY?

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  VUE V6 AWD Comments - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Bill - June 9 - 11:26 pm

  Recently purchased a VUE 3.5 AWD. Things I like include the following: Honda V6, polymer panels, ease of cleanup and looks, 360 view, and the overall driving experience. The thing I like, by far though, is the Saturn buying experience. It is as good, if not better, than any available - including BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, (as I have purchased new vehicles from each). The one item I wish could be changed is the automatic transmission shift points. In comparison to the BMW X5, it revs further in first gear (3300 rpm vs 2800 rpm for same takeoff speed) and shifts to a lower rpm faster than the X5. Also dont like the cheap windshield wipers and extra road noise. Otherwise, its wonderful!

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  Almost a great SUV, But... - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Ryan - June 9 - 7:30 am

  Complaints first, Biggest problem with GM vehicles is there lack of respect for our lungs. NO CABIN FILTER, common guys. All the imports have them, you could at least make a Hepa grade filter to show up the imports. Do you think we are stupid? Gas Mileage average 16-17 all the time, city highway does not matter. I regularly maintenance every 5K and also had trans soft upgrade twice, does not help mileage. Other than that the SUV still looks good, has a comfortable ride and lots of space. Great family car and I could almost like it a real lot. I am very upset about the NON-CABIN FILTER! I like my lungs a whole whole lot and nothing is more important than your health. Listen up GM!

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  our fun SUV - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By J. Little - June 8 - 10:00 am

  on the whole, it has been nothing but fun to drive. It looks good, feels good & even my little poodle loves it. What more can I say about it? It is one good vehicle!

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  Fast, Smooth, and Fun - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Ken in Richmond VA - June 8 - 10:00 am

  We set out to buy a used Honda or Subaru SUV, but ended up with a new 2004 Saturn Vue for about the same money (with current incentives). The new V6 automatic is fast and smooth -- it drives like a nice car, but still holds all the stuff that our family of 5 needs to haul. It is very fun to drive, ranks high in safety, and it is an exceptional value.

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  Amazing car - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By brandykay - June 7 - 10:50 am

  This is a $40000 car for $28200 fully loaded. You cant beat that. Its fast, safe, quiet, comfortable, looks good, and is fun to drive. This is not your typical Saturn. The cars have changed. This car is amazing.

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  Love my Saturn - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By charlotte - June 6 - 9:16 am

  I love my new (used) Saturn Aura. When I drive it people take a second look. Not at me the car. I love the stylish "rims" and the leather is beautiful. I bought this car and it was spotlessly clean. It has lots of pick-up and speed. Of all the vehicles I test drove this was the car. I saw it, drove it, bought it. I knew the minute I saw it this was the car for me.