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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  Shifting made fun - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By liles65 - April 26 - 11:16 pm

  Saturn has made shifting fun again with the Astra and despite the small 1.8L engine this car has a surprising amount of pep. I got the basic XE model with 5 speed manual because I went for price versus luxury items. The base model comes with standard equipment like cruise control which you would have to pay extra on other brands. The seats are very comfortable and there is plenty of torque to push you back into your seat. All your controls are literally at your fingertips and there is very limited outside noise. The stock Goodyear Eagles grip the road and provide a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride. Plenty of room for the average driver and good views all around.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Tom McCullough - April 26 - 9:03 am

  We bought the Electric Lime VUE Redline. We had looked for months for this color. The car is fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. Our car is a pleasure to drive. Handles well on the highway and has plenty of pick up with the V6 AWD. We have never been so satisfied with a car and have hand many offers from people to buy it from us.

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  Fine Ride - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Driver8 - April 24 - 2:46 pm

  An excellent vehicle for what it is intended for. Buyers need to know what they are looking for in a vehicle. The Outlook has great comfort, quietness, good ride quality, and luxury (XR). Steering has good feel and weight, but you are not going to carve canyons like a Porsche. This is a great looking and performing FAMILY vehicle with a good dose of luxury and it evidences quality.

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  You will love it too - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Bart - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic Buy Big trunk Engine Type: Four-cylinder 2.2 Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 140 @ 5,800 Torque (ft-lb @ rpm): 145 @ 4,400 Braking System: Front disc/rear drum Steering System: Variable assist power steering Suspension Type (front): Independent strut, stabilizer bar Suspension Type (rear): Semi- independent torsion beam, stabilizer bar Tire Size (front): P195/60R16 Tire Size (rear): P195/60R16 Curb Weight (lbs.): 2,769 Recommended Fuel: Regular unleaded Fuel Tank Capacity (gal): 13.5 EPA Fuel Economy (mpg): 24 City 32 Highway

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  Saturn Ion 2003 - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Forest - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Just bought an Ion and I want to tell you that GM has done it again. It handles like a dream and the interior is the best. I just recomended one to a guy at the gas station and he really like the car. Especially the bright blue color.

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  Stout and Steady - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Mr Borg - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Has been a dependable performer since its purchase. Like 3.0L six but wish I had waited for the 3.5L for the towing capacity.

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  Never Again - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Wilson - April 21 - 8:33 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems, security system wont always let me start the car, had to replace the wheel bareings @ 50000kms, engine light comes on and off for a misfire, but mechanics can find nothing wrong with it, something wrong with the front end that makes my abs kick in, but again, mechanics cant find anything. Had to have a bushing replaced on it...not a good car

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  What Next? - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Neveragain - April 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 2006 and loved it at first. Then one night during a rain storm my car alarm went off for no reason. The next day I found the foam seal along the top of both doors is badly weathered and rain water runs in along the door panels and puddles on the floor. With 20,000 miles the front struts are shot and just yesterday my key became stuck in the ignition while the car is running. Likely the ignition cylinder will need to be replaced (from the looks of it this is a huge big with the ION). And who will have to pay for it all? My guess is GM will bail on that as well. So here I sit with a car that leaks every time it rains, bad suspension,and a junk ignition cylinder.

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  36,000 Miles In - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Tom - April 18 - 5:53 am

  This is my second review. Ive had the car for 2 yrs and 36,000 miles. While I still like it, Im looking to get rid of it now. Still have the same interior rattles plus some new ones. Had to have the drivers seat cover replaced, never had one of those wear out before. AC is now "pulsing" but after my lousy experience with the local Chevy dealer as an "Authorized Saturn Service Center" Im afraid to bring it in for service. My mileage has gone down, I think its because there is ethanol in the fuel, but 25 mpg on the highway, I might as well drive an SUV.

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  Would recommend - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Jaymie - April 18 - 2:20 am

  Bought the car because we had our third child and Im really happy with it. I enjoy driving it and it is very reliable the only time it never started was when i left the radio on (my mistake). Had to replace the hub and bearing at 75,000. It does have trouble with stalling my mechanic told me what the problem was something with the electric fuel something with aftermarket part still on the expensive side but if you give it a little gas when you start it. Yes i know its not ideal but for what i paid for it. I guess i got one of the good ones. Look, its not a Lincoln or Mercedes you do get what you pay for stop complaining and get a more expensive car if you want perfection.