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:

• 

  Think Twice Before Buying - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Letty - October 27 - 4:23 am

  When I first bought the Vue I could not be happier with it. However, as time and miles add up(less than 37,000 miles) My Saturn started costing money. I have had it in a shop 4 times. Both front disk replaced, both rear hubs replaced, radio control in steering wheel quit working, and now I have no radio. They say fuse in radio needs replaced at a cost of over $300. For a fuse replacement in the radio itself! Ive owned three Saturns; this will be my last. If youre thinking about buying one take a look at comments of owners who have had theirs longer than a year. Youll see a trend of costly problems in your future.

• 

  My 2nd VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Mike - October 6 - 11:56 am

  I had a 02 VUE that was in the shop on once a month on average for the 2 yrs I owned it. I traded it for the 04 thinking I would get the best break on a trade and hoping Saturn had improved the build quality. I was mistaken. I have had the 4 cyl. ecotec engines with the 5 speed manual tranny. It is one of the easiest manuals I have driven in 25 yrs. The engine has plenty of pep if youre not afraid to rev it up. But at 70mph it revs around 3200 which is not optimal for mileage. Problems: window leaks, sunroof broke, engine leaks, Air conditioning replaced (3X), Cruise kept sticking in ON position (4X) Front suspension arms replaced (2X) Other misc. problems Cant wait til I can trade in on an import

• 

  RedLine - not worth it - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By turbojim - September 17 - 11:43 pm

  I waited almost a year for this car. Im very disappointed. It looks really cool, but thats about it. Its broken down already. I never had a turbocharger before and Ill probably never buy one again. It seems like it makes it more prone to breaking or maybe its just because its a GM. I love the way it looks, but its not that fast considering its power rating and turbo. Everything feels like plastic junk inside. It rattles all the time. Its not worth the cost or the wait.

• 

  Hope later years fare better - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By jaw0122 - September 13 - 3:23 am

  Service engine light came on during first 24 hours of ownership. Corroded EGR replaced. Disco headlights and dash lights. Generator replaced. Side mouldings peeling off, replaced. Sliding door motor door stuck open, replaced twice. (Still on occassion tries to open while driving if electric opener is left engaged) Peeling paint, repaired. Headlight fogged internally, replaced. Radio randomly changes stations, replaced. Trim around window caused squealing noise so loud you couldnt talk to your passenger, repaired. HVAC fan continues to run after key is turned off, reprogramed. All within the first 6 months of ownership!

• 

  Shouldnt Have Bought It - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Just Eh - September 5 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I needed a cheap car fast (his completely died) but we wanted something that we would keep for awhile and liked the looks of. The ION has disappointed us pretty much from the start. The only thing we really like is that it is attractive from the outside. The frame flexes and creaks when doing something as simple as going over speed bumps. That isnt very comforting considering that one of the reasons we bought it was its safety ratings. We have had it for about a year and a half and are probably going to trade it in for a compact pick-up truck. If we are going to have something this uncomfortable to drive, it might as well be useful.

• 

  What a Lemon - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Jhendy - August 22 - 9:06 am

  Car is up on factory warranty end of March 2010. Car has 53000Km Never had any problems until Feb 2010. Stereo went, then 2 weeks later the heater fan made a horrible racket, when in they noticed a axle seal leak. Beginning of march I noticed the car would accelerate from 40-60km/hr, dealership replaced MAR sensor, said my K&N filter caused it, and I replaced with a factory style filter, as per their recommendations. Car is doing the same thing now with only 100km since the last time I saw them. As well one wiper arm is now stuck. This thing is a LEMON DO NOT BUY!!!

• 

  Great car as long as you dont want an engine that runs - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By csa1 - July 20 - 10:56 pm

  Our 2008 Outlook has 46000 miles on it and we are having to have the engine torn down. The dreaded timing chain problem that GM claims doesnt exist in the 2008 model DOES EXIST! For some crazy reason GM has extended the timing chain warranty on every other year of this vehicle except 2008. Our last GM had cronic problems as well but not this bad. Honestly I love the vehicle but GM has lost this customer. I am so disgusted.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Imalm - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a cheap dependable car to get me from point A to point B. That is what the ION delivers and not much else. It is uncomfortable on long trips and while it can seat five the leg room in the back seat is only suited for small children. Also, had a minor fender bender and it end up costing over $5000 to fix the car. The autoshop had a hard time finding parts.

• 

  Disappointed - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Chris - April 22 - 3:00 am

  After owning a Grand Cherokee with over 200K (with no issues, we bought what we thought would be a great vehicle, but... We love the design and comfort. From the day we got it though, there have been a string of mechanical problems. From the service engine light on and off all of the time, to the transmission slipping. It cost nearly $1000 to replace the alternator b/c the part had to come from Saturn and the engine had to be moved just to get to it. Now it needs a wheel hub and a water pump. The suspension is very noisy as well. I wish GM had put the right drivetrain in it they would have had a winner!

• 

  Ok car - 2007 Saturn ION
  By cloewe08 - April 21 - 5:10 pm

  I got an 07 ION sedan 2.2l automatic alloy wheels spoiler sunroof and was excited. I loved the car for about the first 6 months then realized some of the poor quality that went into it. The seats are extremely cheap. I only have 22,000 miles on the car and the fabric in the drivers seat is coming loose. Also the light grey fabric throughout the interior stains extremely easily. This is more apparent as you own the car for a year at least and anything will stain the seats/carpet. At 18000 miles the driver window fasteners failed and the window was loose inside the frame. The sunroof creaks when you go over a bump or change in road incline (like up a steep driveway). Engine s great.