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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  Fine cmpact for the money - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Phil - September 20 - 8:50 am

  I bought this car new and have had zero problems with it. It now has 47,000 miles on it. The second year I owned it we took a trip to Mackinaw City in the summer and we averaged just over 35 m.p.g. with our speed being between 75 and 80 mph. This winter we went to Florida in February and got 34+ mpg. I have a automatic with the 2.2 liter engine and its very quick. I change my own oil and it is easy to do with the filter on the top side of the engine. Around town with trips under ten miles I get just over 29 mpg. The polycarbonate body panels and paint still look like new and the clear coat really shines. I like the way the seats are higher than in the SL 1. I will need new tires this summer.

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  1st time Saturn buyer - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By James McKenzie - September 19 - 1:13 pm

  I was really concerned when buying the VUE because of what I had heard from Edmunds and primarily Consumer Reports on the "lack of reliability". I have been completely satisfied! When you look deeper into the analysis (especially CR) they dont say anything that is specifically unreliable. We have had excellent results and it is a quality ride.

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  Great for commuting, not as family car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By nixchick - September 17 - 3:36 pm

  I am getting 28 mpg average. It did not take long at all to get use to having the gage display in the middle of the display. I dont have the 4 dr model, it is more like the red line model with the 2 door coupe with the suicide back doors, but it is not the red line. My kids love the back doors. The back seats are very tight for my 6 and 8 year old. Add back packs in the morning and it is very tight. The trunk is HUGE!! Fold down the back seats and you really have a lot of space. The 4 cyl engine does not like hills. I use the "I" gear, as the manual suggests for hills and twisty roads, and it really drinks the gas. I get about the same mileage as I do with my suburban on the "I".

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  Purchased for towing behind motorhome - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Rob - September 16 - 5:10 pm

  We purchased our 2006 Saturn VUE to tow behind our motorhome. We are very pleased with it and have not towed it yet. The styling is such that it will look good 10 years from now. It is easy to see out of with no blind spots. The Honda engine has great pickup when entering expressway. Just checked my mpg for city driving 25.5 mpg.

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  Our 6th Saturn - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Pat - September 14 - 6:16 am

  This is our sixth Saturn, our third Vue. We have only had it a week, but during that time we drove it from central California to southern Arizona. This Vue is superior to our previous Vues because of the V6 engine, increased stability, OnStar, European styling and increased comfort. Its a smooth, fun car to drive. The fuel economy is not as good as our last Vue, but thats because we went to the V6 engine. Its worth it. The 4cyl we had on the last Vue just didnt have the pickup you need to pass and get up the hills with ease. My husband loves having the radio controls on the steering wheel and satellite radio. We also love the Saturn service. (I just wish theyd had a red one.)

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  Excellent Value - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By ksv - September 14 - 3:46 am

  Acceleration is very good with the V6. Comfortable, reliable, and fun to drive. Very pleased

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  Its good to see GM is reviving - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By Peter - September 13 - 10:40 am

  This car looks and drives like a mini Vette. If you are looking for a mean toy machine, this is it. Its chassis is stiff and the visibility is not the best but after all it is a pure sports car and all the rest is excellent; looks, power, fun, speed. Mind you I paid $55k for this car in Europe but it was worth it. If I were in the US I would buy two so you should at least buy one.

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  Best in class . . . - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By XRAY Dean - September 10 - 2:00 am

  After driving quite a few cars I felt the Vue was the best choice in class. It gets very good milage with the cvt. Power is just there for you. It doesnt throw you in the seat mind you, but, suddenly your going along at a ticketable pace. All this with no jerking of the transmission. I love it

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  Could be a great SUV...but - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By BJY - September 9 - 12:10 pm

  The 2008 Saturn Vue Redline has the potential to be a great vehicle but it falls short in 4 important areas: 1) the front seats are too short, too stiff and not wide enough. 2) the driver seat adjuster is supposed to be 8-way but you cant adjust it to your needs--adjust it upward and youre forced to move forward--adjust it downward and youre forced to move backwards. 3) the car does not hold the road in wet weather when making turns--a very dangerous problem. 4) the gas mileage is dismal: on a good day I get 17 mpg city and 21 mpg hwy. On the plus side this is one of the best-looking SUVs out there. The interior design is user friendly with lots of storage in the glovebox & console.

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  Love my Vue - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By no1stamper - September 6 - 5:40 pm

  I looked at SUVs for months, finally I looked at the Saturn Vues the 2007, I looked and I looked, could not decide what I wanted, finally I went to AV Saturn, and I had the best salesman, they treated me so well, they could not do enough for me. I love this SUV it rides fantastic, gas mileage is excellent, I fill up on Monday and I can run on that for way over a week, sometimes 2 weeks, I dont go all over the place, but I go here and there, I drive it, I just do not treat it very kindly so I get good service out of it. I was thinking of trading mine for 08, but I am going to hold off till the 09is come out. cant go wrong, it is one fantastic SUV, I love it.