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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  Glad to get rid of it - 2007 Saturn ION
  By rv88 - July 6 - 4:00 am

  I purchased my Saturn Ion used in early 2010, and I immediately started having problems with it. My grandparents always swore by Saturn and never had problems with their Saturns, but the Ion is definitely an exception. I have had problems with the power steering going out (repaired under warranty), the suspension bushings, the key getting stuck in the ignition, the hubcaps squeaking, and some other electrical issues. The interior quality is awful and the paint coat is super thin. I have enjoyed driving it, as it handles and performs rather well, but the reliability and build quality issues are forcing me to sell it. Im looking at the Mazda Miata and Chrysler 200 currently.

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  No longer skeptical of new models. - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Pepsigran - July 6 - 2:00 am

  We really enjoy driving this car. Good acceleration. Tracks and handles well. Plenty of room in trunk and fold down rear seats allow large cargo. Has all the bells and whistles and it all works just as it should. Electronic steering takes a little while to get used to. Easy to park and the dent resistant side panels are great. Some people thought we had a "Mercedes."

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  Just Dont Understand - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Mike Yeager - July 5 - 5:43 pm

  Best vehicle my wife and I have ever owned PERIOD. Absolutely no trouble, and the dealership outstanding. Never had anything like this dealership, car was washed at no charge after each oil change, tire rotation. Still take car there for maintenance even thou they were forced to be a dealership for Hyundai, which I will never be able to purchase, because I am AMERICAN!

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  Saturn wasnt on the radar screen - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Sgt. Carter - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt even thinking about a Saturn when I took the wifes van in for service across the street from a dealer. I had time to kill and went over to look at the VUE since I was semi "in the market" to replace my 2000 Ford ZX2 with something larger. I get Fords at invoice through my employer but that couldnt beat the introductory price of the 4cyl/5-speed VUE with all of the "free" equipment. Ive driven Escapes, Libertys, Rodeo Sports, 4 Runners, and I really liked the VUE. For the feel of quality it has at the price I paid, $17065 with the power package, am/fm/cd upgrade, alloy wheels, floor mats and the power sunroof, it is the best deal out there.

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  noisy steering - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By joey14 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  creaking noise,when making a right or lelt turn. any suggestions

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  just love it! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By happypappy - June 30 - 2:00 am

  actually its an 03, but the same vehicle as the 04. have 18,000 miles on it and just love it. there was a clunking noise at 8,000 miles that turned out to be untorqed axle bolts from the factory( was dissapoined in that) also a fogged up headlight unit which saturn replaced...other than that just love it...looks much more expensive than it really is...

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  Eight years too late. - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Boysan - June 30 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought the Ion as our first new car. At first, we were much pleased with our purchase. But as time wore on, I noticed that the interior quality, ride, and engine were jokes.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By jleemc - June 29 - 9:03 am

  I have had nothing but trouble since I bought this vehicle. Even had to be towed once. The check engine light stays on all the time and they cannot fix it. I drove a rental more than I drove the vue for the first year I owned it because it stayed in the shop. Currently at only 50,000 miles the starter has gone out. The vehicle also gets poor gas mileage compared to other comparable SUVs. Not only am I done with Saturn. Im done with GM. GM is not standing by their product that I have had trouble out of since the day I bought it. It also has very limited passenger space when compared to other similar vehicle.

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  Sorry to Report-No to the VUE - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Shermi - June 28 - 11:30 pm

  Purchased 12-01-08 & w/i 13 months, the VUE has been in the shop, 15 times. Steering wheel problems, motor mount problems, shifter-box problems. It is definitely the worst purchase that I have ever made. So far, I have had serious problems with 3 GM products in over ten years. Having owned at least 15 GM products, I dont think that I will purchase a GM vehicle again.

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  Windsurfing trip in ;the VUE - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Gene McCarren - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I received my VUE Sport the end of May, the sport has almost all features avail (sunroof, cd player, power windows, doors, mirrows ect) for $16,995 total. The ride is very smooth, at 75 mph there is NO wind noise and the cruise control maintains beautifully up and dow hills (bridges here in Fla)I have loaded the VUE with lots of windsurfing equip, including a 99" long 34" wide board inside over the dash and an 8.5 board under it. I looked at all other small SUVs and none of them could come close to the Vue for capasity. The Saturn experience was great. Im leaving on a 7000 mile trip to the NW with 5 boards, 10 sails, 6 masts, 4 booms and me inside.