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:

• 

  vue or dealership? - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By conVUEsed - January 3 - 10:00 am

  i bought my saturn vue 2 weeks ago and have driven it a total of 5 days. its been to the dealership for check engine light(twice), keyless alarm not working (twice), missing lug nut caps, the steering shroud (twice), my e-brake lever was gouged by the leather seat installer along with the rear wheel well plastic on both sides, had to have the rear springs refitted, window moulding needed refitting. thank goodness for their 30 day no-haggle return policy.

• 

  VUE VUE VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By John - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I was excited to have this beauty for a while and since I have had it, it still is exciting. The drive is smooth and and has more than enough power, the seats are very comfortable, it seats five great and the cargo area is huge.

• 

  Great Car So Far - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rychski - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Saturn VUE last week.. At this point, I am very satisfied with it. The leather seats are comfortable, there is definately plenty of interior room in the car (5 persons with a total weight of about 900 #)& (65" father)....I climbed into the back and was surprised at the room...Definately better than my 94 Jeep Cherokee (which I thought I would never want to give up!) Anyways, so far so good.....

• 

  my ownership - 2005 Saturn ION
  By frederick le vitre - December 31 - 2:03 pm

  i found the ion to be one of the finest road cars i have ever driven. it handles extremly well at higher speeds and in all weather conditions. i am seriously thinking of purchasing at lease end even though i miss having cruise control.

• 

  My VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Heather Ebare - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The overall design makes it convenient for the driver to be able to turn to see nearby traffic while at the same time theres plenty of space "leg room" in the vehicle for passengers. In other words, you get a ton of space in a not so bulky car.

• 

  Domestics are still great - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By BP - December 30 - 5:06 pm

  This was a much better deal than Toyota or Honda and looks far better than either. We will likely buy Saturn again if they keep making this van.

• 

  I love my Vue! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By mary - December 30 - 6:26 am

  This is my favorite of all the vehicles Ive had...it is cute, comfortable and so fun to drive. It has lots of trunk space for all my kids sports equipment. We are a family of 5, and ride comfortably on long trips. We considered the Relay for the seating but this was much more fun to drive for my daily errands. My kids say Im obsessed because I baby it...but I really love it. My previous vehicle was a Plymouth Grand Voyager so I was concerned about the room issue, but it hasnt been a problem (and i can fit the Vue in my garage so much easier!!)

• 

  New Outlook - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By J Liard - December 26 - 11:23 pm

  Love this CUV. Some mistake for Lexus SUV. Rides like a car and is much bigger inside than it looks. I take it on long trips and itÂ’s very comfortable. Auto climate keeps temperature better than my Oldsmobile. It is a little loud in the cabin as far as engine noise, power steering and air conditioner compressor. Transmission is hard to get used to and it does shift funny even when you let off the gas at highway speed. If you are not heavy on the gas pedal as you start out it seems under powered but there is plenty of it there.

• 

  From A Womans Point of Vue: - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By jacquie - December 26 - 3:16 pm

  I loved my Vue since the day I drove it.I do agree about the noise level -its a little loud from inside the car. Could be better. Seats are heated so I dont think they can get softer. Gas mileage is great. Better than my Tahoe was. Dont think it handles that great in snow,I was more confident with the Tahoe.But its a nice drive with Excellent Pick-up for the hi-way. Tires & brakes wore out faster than I think they should.(30,000 mi)Otherwise, I think I will keep it for awhile longer. It looks so nice clean too. And its easy to clean.The seats all fold down and Ive carried lots in it, and the dog loves the back too. Thanks Saturn. Keep up the good work. A fussy woman driver.

• 

  What a lousy car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Pat - December 26 - 10:23 am

  This car was terrible from the beginning. Bad mileage, never had good pickup, had trouble with rear defroster, headlights, drivers window and now power sunroof, along with having to have transmission rebult for around $2,500 after only 54,240 miles - no help from Saturn either - once the warranty is out they just dont care - and I still owe another 17 months on this car. Trust me I will not be buying another Saturn vehicle nor will anyone I can let know about this vehicle. And American manufacturers wonder why their cars dont measure up to import vehicles. Look at what you are making and selling to the American car buyer!