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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  2007 Saturn ION - 2007 Saturn ION
  By mannagift - May 5 - 9:00 am

  We absolutely love this car. No, it doesnt drive or ride as well as our Cadilac, but itt sure gets a lot better mileage. 44MPG on the road. and 35 around town. Good comfortable car for the money. And we can tow it behind the motorhome. My wife drives it to and from her work for pennies a day. We love It!

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  The Sky is The Limit - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By Mike7642 - May 4 - 10:53 pm

  Saturn has built one fine little roadster. It doesnt just look awesome, but handles like a true sports car. The Sky handles turns with amazing performance and powers out of them with ease. Its big wide tires stick to pavement like glue. Once in the cockpit, you cant help but smile. One drawback, there is no luggage space for a really good road trip.

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  I thank God for my Saturn! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Laura - May 2 - 7:26 am

  My first Saturn was the 4-dr sedan with a big trunk. I drove it for 6 years, and then went to get a new Saturn because my friends were right: Saturn is a great car, with the dealership providing great service after the sale! I wasnt going to try the VUE because my friends seemed small, but I tried and it loved it! Stylish, roomy, decent fuel economy, drives great, and holds its value. I thank God for my Saturn!!

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  Blue Sky in Petersburg - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By donna phipps - May 2 - 1:33 am

  I love my Sky although I never imagined myself in a small car as a mother of 3 and 5ft 9. It is fun to drive although sometimes after a large trip to the store I forget I am not driving my SUV. Ooops. Whatever, we can always save on groceries and I am loving my long drives now. Refreshingchange of pace for a reasonable price.

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  Love it - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By helena - May 1 - 5:03 am

  I was very willing to buy a car but then looking at the VUE I loved everything about it. I love the OnStar that you get and also the leather seats and the seat warmers.... The best car to drive

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  Very Pleased! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By mjmiron - May 1 - 2:16 am

  I bought my Saturn in 2004 after the vehicle depreciated in value. I paid around $15,000 and the car had 36k on it. I have had no major problems with it and like the vehicle a lot. I would recommend anyone buying this car wait a year or two and not buy new. I think the price of the car new is a little high. I had purchased a new 2004 Jeep Limited with leather before the Vue and it was the same price.

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  Best Saturn Car Yet! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Camtrak - April 30 - 2:00 am

  The ION3 is a fantastic automobile and a great value for the price. I have owned two previous Saturn cars and although I liked them very much, the ION is the best car Saturn has created yet. I love this car!

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  Outstanding car, fun to drive - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By ebporte1000 - April 28 - 7:16 am

  I am very pleased with my recently purchased, 2008 Saturn Aura. It has a great engine, state of the art six speed transmission, and is a joy to drive. We use the remote start, heated seats, and excellent radio to enhance our car driving experience. Although I spent a lot of time at many card dealers, the quality of this car lives up to all of our expectations for a new car.

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  Who needs a Corvette - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Ray Sun - April 27 - 9:30 pm

  This is without the funnest automobile I have ever owned. It is great looking, superior handling, comfortable (even for my 55 year old bottom), and always puts a smile on my face. Part of the fun is counting all of the thumbs up I get when driving my Sky around town. Did I mention that is more fun than a Corvette? I used to have one, and the Sky is about half the price.

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  Wonderful SUV - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By swatwife - April 27 - 6:20 pm

  I bought my 2004 Saturn Vue in 2009. It has been a wonderful vehicle to drive! Always very reliable, roomy, great for hauling and an overall pleasant ride.