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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  Good Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Torn - April 10 - 9:56 pm

  I had my Saturn for 3 years this month. Its a great car. I commute 30+ miles a day and I have even driven it cross country. 90,000 miles on it. Having the coolant fan replaced today. A few other problems with a/c and transmission reving up without touching the gas. But other than that no problems. Handles well and gets excellent gas mileage. I love the car and intend on keeping it till it wont run no more. The trunk is very spacious and interior is comfortable. Dent resistant panels are great. Steering is great. The apolstery, carpeting, and plastic panels need huge improvement.

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  Saturn ION3 Quad Coupe- fun and useable - 2004 Saturn ION
  By John from Denver - April 9 - 3:10 pm

  I like smaller Japanese vehicles such as Toyota, Honda, and Daihatsu (A Toyota subsidiary as is Scion). As an older single male, I concidered a Corvette or a new Mustang, but I like durability and features that give an owner more than the first impression might make. My quad coupe replaced a very nicely loaded and durable Honda Civic EX 4-dr sedan. The ION3 quad coupe has the sporty appearance of a 2-dr coupe, but gives me the advantages of a four door sedan. The rear access door on each side, without a door column, allows amazing room to carry items and install child seats. I keep vehicles a long time. My Toyota truck had 534,000 mi. before its end. Have fun in your ION 3 quad coupe!

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  Great other than few issues - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Robert Simmons - April 8 - 8:30 am

  This is my first Saturn. Has great response,handling on curves,electric power steering does the job. Instrumentation is appealing to the eyes. Steering wheel control of radio, cruise control in good location.

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  Saturn ION 2 - 2003 Saturn ION
  By jshel - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I found the ION a very fun care to drive. I love the handling and the power is sufficient for this class. I was looking at the ION or the Civic. I found the Civic interior very boring compared to the ION. I am very happy with this car.

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  Honda Engine great, Rest of car JUNK!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By rugby209 - April 5 - 10:30 pm

  Ive had 3 Saturns, this one being the most recent and this will be the last time I buy Saturns again. I originally looked at the reviews and everyone said it was a great SUV with a Honda engine and transmission. The reviews were right about the transmission and engine but everything else is flawed. Its been in the shop 11 times since weve owned it. Steering column broke, left front ABS sensor broke, when its cold out it makes horrible grinding noise when you hit bumps (which the dealer said was normal), hazard light fell into dash etc, etc. I should have bought a REAL Honda.

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  Great car - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By rona - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Before I bought my car I looked at the reviews from about 20 other people and I have to tell you, I just love this car. It is so comfortable and I had Saturn put a moonroof in and it was the best thing I ever did. This car gets good gas mileage, is comfortable, and I love the OnStar. My whole buying experience was amazing and I could not be happier.

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  Will hit 200K Next month - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By uppity - April 2 - 8:41 am

  This has been a wonderful car. Ive kept it well maintained so repairs have been minimal. Only things needing repair have been something related to the front end and a sensor of some kind. Repairs were so long ago I dont really remember. Have replaced brakes, battery and tires but I consider those part of maintenance. Still on the original exhaust system and clutch. Only redid the brakes once. I.can only hope my next car is this reliable.

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  Best car I ever had - 2003 Saturn ION
  By kortkm - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car ever. I have gone through chevys and Fords and this is the first car that has ever been able to hadle my driving. I m so happy with this purchase and for the price you can not go wrong.

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  Love this car!!! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Joe vue now - April 1 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 honda civic only wishes it could be as nice as this vehicle. Its sooooo nice and fun to drive!!! My old room mate had a Honda C rv- Like this one better!

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  Worth the Price - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Heather - March 31 - 10:56 am

  I bought this car as a sixteen year-old, hoping to get it paid off by graduation(which I did) It was affordable and it was a great car to spend my first years of driving with. Even with a standard engine, it accelerated very fast, and the standard sound system is incredible. Its reliable and affordable.