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:

• 

  Finally Unloading this Car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By jallegra22 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Where to start...check engine light came on when I drove it off the lot, sensor problems..5th gear went out at 40,000 miles (a long/expensive fix), good luck if you live in a cold climate it will fail to start (for 15 minutes exactly) which is extremely inconvenient as youre sitting there in the freezing cold waiting for it, cooling system is totally shoddy and interior looks completely trashed from next to nothing. replaced wiper system twice. I will say that I get wonderful gas mileage, but its been nothing but problems along the way with this car. The ride is bumpy and loud and Im always waiting for something else to break. Im having to get rid of this car at only 85,000 miles.

• 

  So far so good. - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By DK - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I decided to write this in defense of my vehicle, which I have had for 30,000 miles. I believe that if an owner takes care of a car, the car will work as intended. I find that most people that complain about vehicles are the ones that dont do routine maintenance and abuse their vehicles. My car has never failed me and I doubt that it will. I live in the Chicago suburbs. I love this car. It is great. It is quite fast. I love the heated leather seats as well. The exterior design was what initially caught my interest. I have owned 2 Chevrolets (Camaro,Cavalier) and a Buick LeSabre in comparison. I do love this car.

• 

  What happened to Saturn - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By kdoody - February 20 - 11:00 pm

  My 2nd Saturn, had an SL1 for 7 years with only a problem in the 6th year. The shift line to the transmission broke. My Vue, which I generally like has now made it the the shop for the same problem in 2 years. I bought it new in Dec 2005 and a year later I was leaving work in a blizzard and tried to start my car and it turned over once and then nothing. They said it was electrical or something to do with the battery, but it just happened to me again the other night in 10 degree whether in Huntsvill, AL. They have no idea what to do to fix it. I have other issues, like it feels like when driving on a hwy the wind is going to rip my doors off and the heat is gone in the driver seat.

• 

  2007 Aura, looking back - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By texvette - February 16 - 7:16 am

  The Aura was purchased to commute in and be towed behind our motorhome. The vehicle has excellent acceleration and outstanding road manners. The placement of the controls is well arranged and easily accessible. The caution of buying the first of a model year, albeit earning the Car of the Year Award, certainly holds true in the case of the XR. The large number of problems in almost every system of the vehicle is indicative of getting the care to market before a full shakedown. The issues range from poor rocker panel design to fuel economy much less than competitors. There is no question that these will all be solved in subsequent model years, as is the trend with US Automakers.

• 

  my vue of the vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By sumo - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this for towing a camper and so far it has performed excel. it acts as if there is no top end ,for a 3.0 Im pulling 2400 lbs. & it has not complained once.on the flats or thru the green mtns.it gets a smoother ride loaded down

• 

  4cyl 5-speed Sport Review - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By hagenlarry - January 28 - 1:20 pm

  Seems like everyone worries about the big HP cars. We were looking specifically for a 4cyl. Concerned about an economy suv, my wife insisted on the power package (16" aluminum rims, 5-speed manual trans, & sunroof). Turns out, if you can live without awd (as folks did all up until recently), the performance of the ecotec 2.2 is impressive. Even better is the maintenance (oil change can be done in 5-minutes without spilling a drop), dent resistant doors (which were tested by a shopping cart the day we took it home), & roomy back seat (at 6- 2, I rode in the back with no problems).Overall, for middle class folks, after 15,000K we have yet to question our choice! 30 mpg hwy didnt hurt either

• 

  Great car for the money! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Austin Ozburn - January 28 - 7:08 am

  I love this car and I loved my 97 4 door Saturn just as much as this one. The car drives and handles great, but it doesnt ride like a Cadillac. Theres plenty of room inside the car and in the trunk. Maintenance is cheap and easy if you know how to use U-Tube. I would definitely highly recommended this car to someone be it in good working condition.

• 

  Disappointed - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Stewart Crozier - January 17 - 6:40 pm

  I studied every brand of vehicle and visited many dealers all around comparing every way I could. Outlook claimed the best mpg (with other great features) so I bought it. After my great disappointment I began talking to other owners and reading reviews. I now believe I see enough agreement with my experience to warrant some kind of study to expose false advertising. Wondering if Im alone in this. I am "rethinking Saturn"

• 

  Still Honeymooning - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Alan From New York - January 15 - 10:23 pm

  Purchased a little over a month ago with 48000 miles on the clock, theres not a whole lot to report. The VUE has gone back to the shop for a new water pump, but I dont consider that unusual. What with the recent drastic weather, the VUE has performed admirably in the snow as well as on warm, dry days. Yes, the VUE is far from perfect. The steering is noisy at low speeds and the suspension rattles with anything less than perfect blacktop. Although it runs fine, it feels flimsy. Its also comfortable and doesnt tire me out on long drives like so many others seem to. The steering is good but offers no feedback. Fuel economy is adequate, about 22 mpg overall. So far, so good.

• 

  My New Ion - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Meglette - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Fresh off the lot, and so far so good. Had a Saab before, so its a little hard to downgrade on the features, but its a good little car so far... the instrument panel is a change, but not bad. Keepin my fingers crossed!