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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  Perfect College Car - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Love at First Sight - October 23 - 4:00 pm

  As a high school graduation present my parents bought me a newer car to go to college in. The VUE brought a safe and powerful package all together in one, small useful SUV. My fuel economy could be better but, I think it has to do with my driving habits (the acceleration is intoxicating). It is also an excellent highway cruiser. The interior is so beautiful and my friends still can not believe that it is a Saturn. I would recommend this SUV to anyone, confident that they would like it just as much as I do.

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  Never will leave Saturn - 2005 Saturn ION
  By rich morgan - October 23 - 1:13 am

  I have leased an 05 Saturn ION now for over year now. I love it. It gets excellent gas mileage, takes the snow very well. Sometimes I even think Im in my on little SUV!! I will never go back to another car company again! I had not one recall or any problems with it yet. It did take a hile to get used to the dash offset now but it is much better veiwing of all the instrument panel. I am on my 2nd Saturn now. We are looking forward to the new sedan and convertible.

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  WooHoo, I love MY ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By sixksense - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very fun to drive. Saturn has hit the spot with this car.

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  I had 1987 Camarillo iron z28 and 2001 blazer need - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Eliezwe - October 19 - 1:34 pm

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  Good vehicle for the money - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By jerseyboy - October 18 - 4:16 pm

  We own a 97 Saturn, and it has been a reliable car, needing few repairs. When it was time to buy another vehicle, I didnt even consider the VUE because I had seen the first year model (2002?) and wasnt impressed. I was looking at the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, but they cost too much, and I didnt much care for the Toyota Rav4 and Honda CRV. I read a review that said the VUE had been upgraded for 2006, so I went to take a look....WOW, what an improvement! I now have 4000 miles on my VUE and have had ZERO problems. The Honda engine is smooth and powerful and I get about 22 mpg, even though about 50% of the miles are at 70 mph.... I didnt get many options, just side air bags.

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  Problems Problems - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Hugh - October 17 - 3:00 pm

  I purchased this VUE in 2004. It has too many problems to list. VUE was purchased with a 6 year 60,000 mile warrenty and was maintained every 3000 miles by the dealer. A short list of problems include: Fuel guage accuracy, suspension links replaced, noises in stero speakers, noises behind speedometer, security system failure causing failure to start, clutch failure wont shift into first gear in cold weather. With 1.9% interest rate Im still upside down. Do not ever buy a Saturn.

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  Overlooking the little things - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By ROTC - October 17 - 10:00 am

  When I first heard Saturn was making an SUV, I laughed. I never imagined that I would like it, but as soon as I drove it I knew that I had to have it. The way it handled, especially with the I4 and VTi tranny is amazing, and continues to improve each time I drive it. The perforated leather is nice, letting the seats warm up easily, and preventing wrinkling. The seats become more comfortable as they are sat in, and the interior can fit 5 easily, even with all of their equipment for a long day of roadmarches.

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  Fantastic Car to Buy - 2003 Saturn ION
  By bstu - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My experience with this car so far has been great as expected. The car buying experience at Saturn was not intimidating in any way. There are many convenient features with this car and it is much safer than many cars in its class, I was also looking into buying a Hyndai Elantra until I realized though research how much of a death trap they are. My Ion is speedy with quick pick-up ( I commute on the interstate), and is very roomy and comfortable for 5 passengers. I couldnt have made a better decision!

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  Great Mid-Size SUV - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By basic - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Picked up my Saturn VUE on March 10th and now have approximately 2000 miles. Great salesman vehicle. Plenty of room for samples. Comfortable on long trips through the Midwest.

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  Another unsatisfied owner - 2005 Saturn ION
  By stranded in Il. - October 16 - 6:56 pm

  Bought car new in 2005 because it was relatively inexpensive compared to other makes and I put high miles annually so the new car warranty is desired. Soon found a significant problem, the ignition switch failure in cold weather within a year. Makes vehicle act as if battery is drained. Saturn replaced ignition once under warranty, but it is doing it again. They are well aware of the defective part by their own admission. This will be twice in a bit over three years and they claim "it is not a faulty part". I will never consider another Saturn after dealing with this poor design and manufacture denial. Beware.