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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  My VUE is a POJ - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Vince - November 23 - 4:16 am

  I have nothing but continued trouble with this vehicle from day 1 including ABS sensors, transmission issues along with many other small problems that seem to "popup" over the time I have owned the vehicle. I would not and will not ever recommend or own a Saturn or VUE again in my life.

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  Wow! A Saturn! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By tim f - November 21 - 4:33 am

  I love my VUE. it has superior acceleration, handles smoothly, and looks great. The transmission is so smooth that you cannot feel it shift. I was leary at first about all that plastic, but no more. The only negative is the cheesy plastic interior fixtures. Cmon, guys, for $24000, you can do better.

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  Good Value - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Breech - November 20 - 5:10 am

  Good performance for the price. Could be faster but poor transmission gearing and low rev limiter hold it back. Not a great car to tune or run at the strip. More of a jack of all trades, master of none type. Typical poor interior quality from GM. Handling and ride quality are good, not too harsh for a daily driver but not totally peformance oriented either. Have had some electrical gremlins and check engine light illuminates from use of aftermarket K&N air intake. Brakes are excellent although the stock rotors warp easily. Overall a decent little car with good perfomance, safety, and the ability to be used as a family car in everyday life. Not disappointed but not sure if Id buy again.

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  Exceeds Expectations - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Manta - November 19 - 11:00 am

  I had researched this vehicle for about a year on American and European websites. One thing stood out--every last one remarked the handling was very good. I was looking for a fun, somewhat unique car to replace my 2003 Mini-no easy task! Nothing really quite handles like a Mini. Well, I have to say, the Astra XR with Sport suspension (17 in. wheels) comes pretty darn close, and is actually better in some ways. Obviously, there is more room for passengers and cargo.You can corner with a little more power in the lower gear bands, and the ride is smoother over broken pavement and bumps.Ive been getting around 30MPG in mostly city driving. An incredible value if this car holds up over time.

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  Very happy Saturn owner - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By loose - November 17 - 11:53 am

  Went to Bike Week 09 dragging my bike behind my 07 stick Fit sport, really liked that car. Was not looking for a new car, but they redid the Fit for 09 and I thought about a new one. While in FL, I noticed the Saturn Astra 5 door. Had to go and check it out. The car is great. Had to stay in FL for 3 extra days waiting for my trailer hitch. Was the best ride home to Scranton I ever had.

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  Driving a 2006 Saturn VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Dennis Haddad - November 16 - 11:23 pm

  The 2006 Saturn VUE is by far the best VUE ever built. GM has tweaked this vehicle since it was originally intoduced and the changes are definitely for the better. The interior has been upgraded to premium quality for this price class. Many features offered in luxury cars are standard on the V-6 model. The price has been lowered for 2006 which makes the 2006 Vue a great value for the money. You owe it to yourself to test drive the 2006 VUE and see for yourself.

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  2004 Saturn Ion. Great Car for the Money - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Elf - November 16 - 10:00 am

  In 2006 I bought this one owner vehicle used and in pristine condition with only 2,874 miles on it. With the low miles and great appearance I have always considered it as a "new" car purchase. A couple of months ago (June, 2010) I finally replaced the original tires as well as the cars battery. The battery to my surprise was located in the trunk. This was my fourth new car and the first that the battery lasted over 2 years. I guess with it being located in the trunk and away from all of the engine heat it was a good idea after all. Its not a sports car so when cornering at high rates of speed it kinda feels like it wants to get away from you. While driving the interior noise level is low.

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  2004 SATURN VUE REVIEW - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By GREENVUE - November 12 - 2:00 am

  THE VUE IS WELL PUT TOGETHER FOR AN AMERICAN SUV. AS ALWAYS THE SATURN DEALER IS COMFORTABLE TO DEAL WITH. THE CAR RUNS WELL AND IS VERY PEPPY. THE FUEL MILAGE SO FOR IN FREEWAY DRIVING IS 25 TO 27 MPG WITH LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR IS COMFORTABLE TO DRIVE AND TO RIDE IN FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY WIFE, WHO HAS A BAD BACK.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Billy - November 10 - 10:26 am

  I bought this vehicle at the end of June of this year 2007. Has more cubic space than most SUVs of its size! It handles the road excellent.

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  Cant Wait To Drive It Next! - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By jon_e_quest - November 6 - 8:40 am

  I wanted a German car and set my budget at $18K. Looked at new 2DR Rabbits, used Jettas, and used MINIs. Read lots of bad reviews on Edmunds about MINIs. The Jetta really does look like a Corolla. And the 2DR Rabbit lacked many features I wanted that only came on 4DRs. And it looks like a phonebooth compared to the Astra (Opel). Astra offers so many more standard features than the other cars in its class. And features like rain-sensing wipers, pedal release system, driver information center, & 1 year OnStar arent even available on the competition. Astra handles the curves beautifully. The VVT engine revs freely thru the gears. And its gorgeous European styling is unsurpassed.