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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  Would have nothing else - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Don in Pa - May 5 - 10:40 pm

  My first Saturn was a 1994 SL1 wich I still have with 302,000 miles and have never had a major repair and run like new. Ive had 4 Saturns all together. The VUE is the best car I have ever owned. My wife drives 135 miles a day to work and is a rather fast driver. (80+mph) The ride is unbeleivably comfortable, averages 32mpg. handles great, a little wind noisy, good looking vehicle, great in snow front wheel drive feels like 4wd. Lots of room. Great power with the manual trans. Plan on getting 300k plus miles out of it. We love it

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  2005 ION 1 A - 2005 Saturn ION
  By dzizwheel - May 5 - 1:06 am

  Bought this car with 23 miles on it after having bought a 95 Saturn SL1 5m in May of 04. My brother has a 95 Saturn SL1 5 M and cant kill it. These were so good, I had to check out the ION. Difference is night and day in comfort, quiet, ease of entry,room and height of drivers seat. I adjusted to the center mounted instrument cluster within a block of my first test drive. I like the instruments being up high like this instead of down somewhere behind the steering wheel. Feels like a much larger car, solid like an old Volvo. This ones going to be around a long time.

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  1st American made - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By akjagarcia - May 4 - 6:43 pm

  Ive had my XR just under a month now and aside from the horrible MPG I love this car. The V6 is a little under powered for a vehicle this size. Im averaging 12 MPG city and 21 on the highway.

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  Family VUE - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By LN - May 4 - 5:46 am

  Nice comfortable vehicle with good gas mileage. Great for family outings, shopping trips, or just a nice drive. Nice interior layout, but some items like window buttons take some time to get used to. Looking forward to testing out the AWD on the family ski trips this year.

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  Get Yourself Noticed - Big Time! - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Jayne - May 1 - 1:50 pm

  The first thing you notice when driving the Sky is that you are noticed. This is the sexiest car on the road today bar none. The handling is far beyond my expectations and the torque provided by the standard engine is adequate in my opinion. If you cant afford a Vette get the Sky. Its like driving from the cockpit of a fighter jet.

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  RUN! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Pekin08 - May 1 - 2:52 am

  This vehicle is a pile of junk! I bought my 2007 Saturn Vue with 110,000 miles. It now has 125,000. In seven months I have had the wheel bearing and hub assembly replaced, the alternator, and now the air compressor just went out. The cost to replace an air compressor on 2007 Saturn Vue $835.

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  Saturn Ion 2 - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Bhill10 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this NEW Ion 2 in late May of 03, its now late July. During this time my hood release fell off, I had to take it back in to get it fixed. Then I put my key in the passenger door to unlock it and the little metal piece that you put your key in fell into the door, the dealership in Columbia, SC said "That seems to be a similar thing happening to the Ion". Yesterday the little change drawer came off, I managed to fix it myself though. My wife also pointed out that the gas door is getting crooked and needs to be tightened. It is reliable so far though as far as getting yout from A to B.

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  Worst new vechicle ever owned . - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Mike - April 29 - 5:56 am

  We bought a Saturn SL Car new in 2002 and it has been the one of the best vehicles we ever owned. So when it was time for a second vehicle,we thought we would try a VUE.Out the of ten brand new vehicles we have had,it has been the worst! Here are the parts that have been replaced: 3 strut mounts,1 strut,sway bar busings,tailgate rusted..painted 3 times in 18 months! both lower seat cushions..cracked, drivers seat mechanism..still rocks side to side, doors adjusted, weather stripping & cowl..for wind noise, pass side exterior door panel, rear end clutch pack,transmission torque converter..still growls between 1100- 1300. 28 months old..35,000miles! Maintained regularly and not abused.

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  GM has a winner - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By stevep - April 27 - 11:13 am

  I like the interior almost as well as the exterior. In 1 word: fabulous! The top is easy to put up and take down contrary to some reports. This is my first convertible, and I expected much more wind noise with the top up, and was pleasantly suprised it was quieter than Id expected. Handling is excellent, and mileage is respectable for what it is, a convertable roadster. Anyone who doesnt like this car either has kids or dogs, or needs/wants too much stuff around them at all times. This car wasnt intended for the masses. Space for two is all I need. The price makes it a real value, and it makes me feel good that GM has finally made a car that generates this much interest from foreign car shoppers.

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  The Redline Lives Up to Its Name - 2006 Saturn ION
  By SaturnTuners - April 26 - 11:36 pm

  I have had my car for over a year now, and put nearly 19,000 miles on it. It is by far the best car you can buy for the price. I got mine for around 20k, with a killer trade in deal on my last car. This car beats 03 Mustang GTs no problem, and it gets twice the mileage! The supercharger whine is amazing, especially with the intake. I also got the thermal R&D exhaust, and it sounds really nice; unlike a Civic hatch. If you are looking to pick up a really good deal, now is the time. You can get a very high performance grocery getter for around 15k loaded.