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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  Saturn VUE Redline - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By chri5 - January 7 - 6:26 am

  Good $20k crossover. Base models feel floaty on the freeway, and handling does not inspire confidence. Upgrading to the Redline solves those problems, along with giving a better look and interior. The Honda v6 in these is great, and move this vehicle along nicely. Dont spend the money for the AWD version unless you have to.

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  Couple Issues but its still lovable - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By VueLuv - January 6 - 9:30 pm

  My Vue was purchased mid June and since then Ive had to take it back to the shop for a couple issues. The Vue sign on front of hood was damaged somehow, looked as if it was bleeding on the inside. The passenger door handle sticks. Although I took it in and everyone at Saturn was very polite they still have yet to fix my door handle properly. It still sticks really badly. The Saturn sign was fixed. Now I have to go back because the wipers have chipped and have small rust spot. Other than that it drives beautifully very hot look and gas mileage is adequate for car of that size.

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  GMAC - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Michael Bodin - January 6 - 7:03 pm

  Vehicle provides great deal of comfort, safety, and power. Handles well. Very smooth on the highway. One car owner and is in excellent condition. Air cond. CD player and FM/AM stereo with double tuning capacity. Cell phone hook-ups in the front and rear. Can attach a double or triple DVD player for the children. Does use regular unleaded with 22 miles per gallon on the highway. Has a Honda V6 size engine with a lot of power. A good family car. Tinted windows with a sun/moon roof. Good storage space in the cargo area. Provides grocery racks to secure your groceries while driving. Spare tire is located under cargo area so does not stick out the rear door. I love this SUV.

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  My favorite - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By JIMMY P - January 6 - 11:20 am

  This by far has been my most enjoyable car i have owned in a while. The style performane and overall value for the money is second to none.This Aura xr was intended to be my wifes car now I drive it and she drives my Cadillac SRX. We got ours loaded with all the options and we couldnt be happier. I recomend this car to everyone

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  BAD PLASTIC CAR! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By cs15 - January 5 - 10:20 am

  I bought my Saturn ION Level 2 a little over a year ago, and about 6 months after owning it, every time I turned around, something else was going wrong with it. The engine bucking, clicking noises when driving, road noise, crappy cd/radio, doors unable to shut after being opened, broken hood latch...did I mention EVERYTHING in this car seems to be made of plastic except for the engine? I will NEVER buy another Saturn again.

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  Saturn Aura - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Elijah - January 5 - 10:06 am

  After researching and researching on which car I wanted, I chose the AURA. I was going to wait and get the Astra but it was just too good of a deal to pass up on the AURA. I have over 2000 miles so far and no problems. I drive mostly highway but I can average 26-29 mpg!

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  The Vue is Good - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By MikeBreeze - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Saturn Vue about a month now. I like it alot. The only things I dont like is the noisy 4 cyl engine, the leaning in cornering and the things that I have read about the VTI transmission (mine is OK so far). Other then that, its a great vehicle.

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  saturn today - 2004 Saturn ION
  By grover19632003 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I really like this new ion model my freind has the SL1 and he has enjoyed it also. The ion has a much more sporty look. I usually can not find a car that sits comfortably, but this ion is comfortable. You can not beat the price.I feel that i received alot of car for the low price.

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  Love Mine - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Vue This - January 4 - 10:00 am

  I am a 3 time Saturn owner. I bought our 04 Vue new now we have 67k and just turning 4 yrs with it. Had the recall, I follow the service intervals and only have the dealer do the work. Zero dealer problems & pull a 2500# 19 boat multiple times up and over our mountains in Utah and Wyo.When I pass people pulling the boat they look at the car like what the hell. Replaced the tires at 50k brakes are starting to wear and shocks are getting bouncy MPG is great and I will eat most all comers with the preformance of the 250 HP I am 66" and the seats could use some better support and the fabric is wearing I wish the Vue was just a little bigger my 16 & 10 year old need more room in the back.

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  So Disappointed! - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Rachel - January 4 - 6:10 am

  This is the first Saturn I have owned. Initially I loved it, great body style, fun to drive, great interior design, and many comfort features. However, I have had my Vue back to the shop 4 times in 6 months. I bought it new and initially they had to fix a dent, a scratch, and replace the inside drivers door secondary to damage. They convinced me to buy the carbright warranty but within a week the leather front seats and arm rests were stained and had to be replaced. I went for the first oil change and they found a cracked washer fluid resevoir that then was replaced. Now the seats are stained again and they will not fix it!