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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  Bad Buy - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Mike - August 11 - 3:10 am

  I bought the view used. Nothing but trouble. Transmission went out at 78,000 miles. The control module went out at 82,000 miles. Saturn is the only one that can program it. Now I think the front wheel bearings are going out. I can not find anyone to buy this problem car.

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  Problems - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Sherri - July 10 - 10:43 am

  Ive owned my Outlook for 14 months and have had several problems. Transmission leak in 9th month of ownership; two "repairs" on leaking sunroof and now an oil leak. Love the car otherwise; MPG is around 18 City. Im selling it - a car this expensive should not have transmission problems before a year is up!

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  How do you spell "lemon?" - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Babs - July 8 - 9:33 am

  I am truly disappointed with this vehicle. Though you might expect one or two small things to need adjustment, in 35 years of driving, the VUE has been the worst overall of vehicles I have driven. As a low mileage driver, Ive had 3 flat tires (tread seems to attract foreign objects) numerous "service engine soons," antifreeze leaks twice, a broken gas gauge, shorted electrical cell in the dash, blown fuel cell leaving me stranded on a busy street in rush hour traffic, and a crack in the exhaust system that made me sound like a tank. Service department less capable in some ways than I would expect, and patronizing at times, I guess because Im a woman. My next car will be a Honda.

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  2009 Saturn - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Steve - June 10 - 11:06 pm

  We shopped all over for a nice vehicle and we found the Saturn Vue V6. The vehicle was maxed with factory options imaginable, except factory Navigation. First of all I need to say the vehicle looks just fantastic and the ride is good. The auto was in the shop 6 times within the last year for torn seats, side seat supports breaking twice, loud noise coming from the engine and it was the A/C clutch in the engine area. We also had the OnStar service 3 times because when we added more minutes to the phone OnStar deleted our service...Yipes! XM radio was also updated. We wanted to consolidate and trade in 2 vehicles to get a single one. OnStar does not refund, XM Radio does not refund...

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  Quality Powertrain vs Junky Parts - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Carl St. Henry - May 7 - 2:00 pm

  I really liked the matched Honda engine,transmission, and rear axle that came with my 2004 VUE. Had many quality issues. Rear wiper motor. Front headlight assembly. Remote keyless entry. Instrument cluster RPM guage lights on half went out. Dealer wanted over $200.00 to just look at the problem. Rear suspension recall. Front wheel bearing had to be replaced The car is very peppy and drives well.

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  Its Pretty, Nothing more - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By findpenny - April 22 - 8:30 pm

  This car has blown repeated computers, ohms regulator, the air conditioner blower replaced, the cup holder has jammed into the dash, the trunk leaks, the motor already has a knocking sound. It has literally been in the shop nearly as much as in my garage. Cant get it repaired timely because they apparently dont make the parts until there is a problem. If this is a car you need to be dependent on, dont buy it. If you have the patience to work with the mechanics, go for it, its beautiful, but Id recomend waiting until the next line comes out, my car seems to be a beta test version.

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  You dont get what you pay for - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Yellowbaxter67 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle strickly because it was the lowest cost for insurance. I like the exterior design of the car (clean and sleek looking). I have had the car for almost 5 months now and had the gas cap replaced twice. It keeps loosing on it on and making the engine light come on. I have taken it in three times and it was replaced twice. The decal on the bumper is already coming off. BEST BET...GET SOMETHING ELSE.

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  Pedal positioning is painful - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By rojo8 - March 26 - 10:16 am

  The gas and brake pedals are far apart and both are high off the floor, so its impossible to pivot your foot comfortably on the heel. I have to completely let my foot off the gas pedal in order to hit the brake. No big deal obviously on high speed drives with minimal braking, but in-town driving is painful. Because its so uncomfortable, its also very unsafe. Id find myself resisting moving back and forth between braking and accelerating, which obviously is not a safe driving practice. If youre small-feeted like me (size 8-9; not terribly small in fact) but youre used to stomping on your pedals, then no big deal. Pivoting is safer because its more comfortable. What an idiotic design.

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  Lemon Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Jrdpa - March 11 - 5:50 am

  My Vue has been in the shop 8 times in 6 months. The inside of the windshield has been freezing over completely in the winter. I come out of the house and its frozen. They had to replace the heater core. It has never sounded or driven the same since it came back. Also, the windshield wiper fluid leaked because they made the reservoir and neck two pieces and they had to replace pieces there as well. About a month after I got it there was a recall to reset the computer because apparently some had lights staying on too long draining the battery. Also, I never got better than 17 MPG / 250 miles a tank. They had to take rust off brakes after only 6 months too.

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  Not so hot - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By xsx - February 28 - 11:40 pm

  Really dont love our VUE. Bought it in early 05 and have had it in the shop at least a dozen times with annoying little things. Had issues with our air bags, starter, radio, passenger heated seat, etc... the list goes on. Overall, not happy with our little SUV. Looking to upgrade and unfortunately Saturn has left a bad taste in my mouth. Would love to try the Outlook, but scared of staying with them.