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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  Few problems, but great buy - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By TTC - March 22 - 7:10 am

  Excellent experience with this, my first Saturn. It handles well, convenient features (cargo trays, sliidng doors, DVD. Mileage 16 city, 24 hwy. No fit or finish problems. Only problems were flickering lights (fixed by dealer) and a radio that refuses to get any AM station (all FM stations are perfect!).

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  The best pocket rocket out there - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Leo - March 21 - 4:16 pm

  My silver coupe with 5 speed has about 2000 mixed miles on it so far and all I can say is "wow". Better than 30 MPG overall, outstanding handling that brings a smile with every crooked road, and a quality feel and and comfort that you cant find on any other car costing thousands more. Its brought passion back to driving! Great everyday commuter, with honest room for four. On the open highway, its quiet and has plenty of punch for passing. On the twisty country roads it just doesn t seem to have a limit to grip and handling. Leather seats are wonderful--firm and confortable. Great looking car! Top it all with the wonderful no hassle Saturn dealer experience, and there is no competition

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  water leaks, bad strut mounts - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By upset2 - March 20 - 11:33 am

  At first we loved this car, then the problems started. Ive had it in twice for doors leaking from sunroof drain tubes, going to take it again soon. Seats are ruined from water damage. Have had the strut mounts replaced, windshield wiper blades recalled, cant seem to get the popping noises fixed underneath. We are very upset, also the car wont even make it up our driveway because of the gravels. It stinks for a front wheel drive! wish we never traded. I feel like we have been cheated. This car is a lemon!!

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  MY VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Patricia Gray - March 19 - 2:00 am

  My Saturn VUE handles real well on the road in all weather conditions. It is a very comfortable ride. I love the feel of being in truck but yet still having the size of a car.

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  LOVE MY SATURN - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By dchali - March 19 - 2:00 am

  A little skeptic when trading in my Honda(very reliable), My husband and I wanted an american vehicle, looked at saturn, I sat in the vue and knew it was for me. We get hard winters in NH, we wanted something to get us through.Best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow. Great stereo too. Hasnt given me any problems yet.Love MY SATURN!

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  Personal Choice - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Prplagnl1964 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I am a third time saturn owner....prefer the saturn for its appearance. I really enjoyed my SL2...the body style was truly a racy look...but really like the room in my ION.

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  Excellence in Design - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Shawgod - March 19 - 2:00 am

  After purchasing this vehicle I have to say that this vehicle has all the things I could ask for out of a car. Now the center mounted gauges are something to get use to, but in all I have been really happy with the service from saturn, and think this is a well built car.

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  Bad gas mileage - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By badgasmileage - March 18 - 2:16 pm

  I drive 600 miles a week for work. I switched from a F250. I need to carry a ladder. Fits nicely. Advertised 26 mpg. I figured 24. The mileage has never gone over 21.5. I keep a record on fueleconomy.gov. A lot of space. A lot of cup holders. I have 2 kids, work out of my vehicle, fold down the rear seat and still fit a ladder, work products, golf clubs, and more. But the fuel economy is awful. I got 18 with my F250. And that was 4x4 and loaded. I wish I would have got a Escape Hybrid. But I felt cooler driving this. Its a nice looking vehicle, but crap miles per gallon. In town, 17 mpg tops.

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  Add my repair bills and I could have bought a Land Rover - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By threeninety - March 17 - 10:17 pm

  We bought this car new, since day one its been a horrible money pit. Saturn found a way to get out of fixing anything under warrantee, Im glad the brand is gone, GM shame on you. Sunroof has always leaked (I constantly am dealing with the drains), interior has always been moldy as a result. Fixed the transmission twice, in fact fixed just about everything twice. Car has stranded my wife and toddlers on several occasions. Worst car I have ever had, regret even buying any Saturn or modern day GM product. Ill never own a Honda or import, so Ill try Dodge and Ford. Whomever was on the staff designing this POS should go back to school, or design scooters.

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  2004 Redline - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Paul - March 16 - 2:06 pm

  We switched from a 2003 Nissan Murano to the 2004 Vue. Many ask why? True the Murano styling is gorgeous, yes the standard Nissan features are impresive, and more luxurious, but dollar for dollar, the Vue offers significant improvements in performance, gas mileage, and handling. While the Vue is more conservatively styled, I purchased a Redline edition that was a dealer demo - loaded with the exception of the DVD player and onstar, the dealer installed an interior trim package that is colour matched to the exterior - electric lime. This SUV stands out.