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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  Saturns Rule! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By bnairb - November 6 - 12:30 am

  This is my 3rd new Saturn, and I have loved everyone of them! No major problems, just routine maintanance on them, even on my first Saturn(94 SW1) which I owned for over 8 years. I needed more room than my 02 SC1 had to offer due to changes in my life, so this 06 VUE was perfect. Roomy without being too big, and providing decent gas mileage. Very comfortable to drive and great power!

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  If I only could do it over again.... - 2004 Saturn ION
  By KCGuy76 - November 3 - 10:53 pm

  Many people wonder why others purchase foreign compact cars. Enter the Saturn Ion. This is my third brand new car; my first, and last Saturn. While I have received numerous compliments on the exterior of the vehicle (Electric Lime with tinted glass and Car Bra), the praise from others can not dismiss the problems with regard to fit, finish, RATTLES and shoddy engineering. After 10 trips to the dealership (recalls, rattles, loose suspension parts, cruise control problems, horn problems, brake pedal linkage issues...etc), I have decided 14 months and 12,000 miles later its time for this car to belong to someone who appreciates a noisy 4 cylinder and enjoys spending time at the dealership.

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  $40,000 Saturn - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Rob - November 1 - 7:43 pm

  I am very impressed with Saturn. I have been looking for a replacement for my wifes 02 Chevy Tahoe for a year now. Something a little smaller and a little better gas mileage, but did not want to give up the room we had. Well we found it the 2007 Outlook XR. I will admit I was apprehensive. We have owned our Tahoe for 5 years and have looked at every make and model on the market. My wife wouldnt even go to the lot with me to look at it (its a Saturn she said) but after I drug her down there and she drove it she liked it...now that she has been driving it for a little while she loves it. If youre in the market, give it a chance and at least go look at it. I dont think you will be disappointed.

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  My Saturn (VUE) - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By OLD T - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This may sound silly, but I really dont like the styling of my VUE. I bought it due to the large doors and my wife is a total care person, I must lift her in and out of the Saturn. Orange peel paint. Slopping steering. Maybe I will get used to it? (the steering)

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  Nice Car!!!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By kn - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Havent had it long enough to tell you much -- 2 days -- but I am impressed with it so far.

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  great car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By energy100020 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  special addition,very comfortable and fun to drive,good gas milage,sporty yet functional,great value for the money

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  excellent choice for the $ - 2004 Saturn ION
  By mike smith - October 31 - 10:00 am

  reliable,comfortable,peppy,large trunk,2 ways to jump car{battery in trunk,&" jump post" under the hood],pretty car too! it gets excellent milage. polymer sides{no rust!] a good buy for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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  Saturn Ion 4 door sedan review - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Betty Dopheide - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Over all I am pleased with my Ion. For a 4 cyl. car it has good response when you put you foot to the excelleration pedal.

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  Great power, great ride, sporty design - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Chicago Driver - October 30 - 2:56 am

  The Saturn Aura has very good pickup and power for a relatively small sedan. All the comments about it being the "poor mans Lexus" are true. Several friends told me that they thought it was a Lexus. I had a Saturn wagon about 10 years ago and loved it, had a very good experience with the car. My take is that Saturn has upgraded their product line with a sporty, dependable line of cars that are popular and fun to drive. The only thing that bugs me about the car is that there appears to be a weird "blind spot" at the right front of the windshield due to the design of the front (windshield) of the car. But maybe this could be offset by adjusting the seat? Overall I love this car.

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  Love this car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By John - October 28 - 8:23 am

  This car has been a great investment. I love the way it drives, including a tight turning radius and surprising pickup. Wouldnt hesitate at all to buy this one all over again. Too bad Saturn is history.