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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  1 year down the road - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Dave - December 18 - 2:56 am

  I bought an Ion3 Quad Coupe 2.4 based on the test drive. I was replacing a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. I found the Ion3 has a softer ride & corners better. Much less lean. I have not had to return it to the dealer for other than routine required maintenance. I liked my Focus but I love my Ion3. Both equipted with auto trans. The Ion3 is just a more comfortable car to drive. I have not had it on any trips on the highway, just in city driving. I check my mileage on each tank & it is about 25-26 MPG. I have no clue what the highway milage is. I am just as pleased with the car today as the day I bought it. Dent resistent panels are a plus, too bad 07 is the last year for them.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Saturnman - December 17 - 8:53 pm

  This is the 13th Saturn that I have purchased. I have found this new one to be just as good in quality as the past 4 new saturns that I have purchased. The others were used and they too were of great quality even if they were used.

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  2007 Saturn Aura owner - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By ssbowtie - December 16 - 11:56 pm

  I have 07 Aura XR with 88,000 miles on it and transmission went. GM said nothing they can do 5 year/100,000 warranty is up. In shop now for 2 days bring diagnosed. I will never buy another GM vehicle as long as I live. Probably will have to sue for replacement and that GM known defect

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  Enjoying the Ion 2 - 2005 Saturn ION
  By miss_nicole - December 14 - 2:45 am

  I recently bought my 2005 Saturn Ion 2 in Febuary 2011 with 38k miles. and the only problem ive had with my car so far was the Coolant Sensor which i had to replace last month. Other than that i have had no other issues. It gets good gas mileage and drives smooth.

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  Yes and No - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By VueOwner - December 13 - 10:56 pm

  Bought the 03 VUE used w/ 60K on it. Have had it in the shop for minor things, (compass came out of mirror, squaky steering column, etc) repairs costly. Okay ride but noisy at high speeds, low quality shocks. Enough power to take on Mtn highways and some dirt trails, easy to maneuver in city traffic. Cheap plastic interior and easily stained carpets and seats. But somehow, I still like it!

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  Worth buying for multi-use and travel - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By sipapu - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Purchased on 5/08/04 after having driven Saturn L300 for 30 months and finding to be in need of 4 or all wheel drive. Made a trip to San Antonio, Texas driving almosts 2,000 enjoyable miles. Vehicle has plenty of power, handles well in both city and on highway. The XM sattelite radio is a superb addition. On Star is great; although found the instructions to be sparse. Its use as a telephone is helpful but found several spots wher coverage was not good. Saturn needs to improve interior appearance and to get rid of manual controls of heating and cooling system. Dealing with Saturn is a pleasure. One price nation wide is great concept. Easy to work out trade.

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  Big and comfortable and flexible - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By BBaltz - December 12 - 8:33 pm

  We were looking for a 7-8 passenger vehicle and chose the Outlook over the CX-9. The Outlooks extra space was well worth it. Ive sat in the rear row with my daughter with no problem. The middle row has all the room of a limousine when pushed all the way back. My wife gets ~17 mpg in all-city driving. I get 20-24 mpg on the highway but driving over 65 really kills the mileage the faster you go. This was our first GM car and we had a number of build quality issues: catching compartment door, finicky reading-light switches, dead seat heater. It was one of the first 1000 built though if I read the VIN correctly.

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  Thanks Saturn - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Aaron - December 12 - 5:16 pm

  Watch out imports, this tops any other car I have driven in my life, General Motors got this one correct. Platform is excellent; styling is what eludes people to the car. Only downfall is that people do not realize that it is a Saturn.

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  Great Choice - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Irvin & Jill - December 12 - 7:30 am

  This is our 4th Saturn & 1st Minivan (although this is labeled a crossover). Again, Saturn has proven - they know what they are doing. We were skeptical in purchasing a minivan, but the SUV look & Minivan comfort did it for us. Affordable, dependable and we get tons of compliments. Get the Automatic door & DVD Player - it is worth it for the little ones. Great use of space front to back; comfortable seats all around. For those anti-minivan folks - this is a good choice. Adults & kids alike have a great ride whether 15 mins or 5 hours. We are really pleased with our RELAY.

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  Great car overall, powerful, sleek, fun - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Airborne CHP - December 11 - 7:40 pm

  Puchased used last spring after months of research to save $. drives great, very powerful V6 with plenty of acceleration (0-60 < 6 secs). Highway miles above 27 at 70+MPH. combined driveing could be better I get avg. 20 when I go easy on the gas. handles great through curvy mountain highways. No problems thus far. my only complaint is the door lock sticks out right where my arm sit when I roll with the windows down. Sound system is excellent. Heated seats are great but could go all the way up the back rather than just lower lumbar. Exterior design is great, always turning heads. Looking forward to many years with this great car. So glad I went back to Saturn after an Intrepid for 4 years.