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:
Showing 3071 through 3080 of 3,767.00-
Great little Car - 2004 Saturn ION
By mitchell - November 13 - 10:00 amI love this vehicle it rides and looks great
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Trading it in Tomorrow Just 3000 miles - 2006 Saturn VUE
By Tom - November 8 - 4:53 pmThe last time I bought an American made car was in 1986. At that time I swore I would never buy one again due to the lack of quality craftmanship. And I made it twenty years until I saw the 2006 Saturn VUE. Love is blind! This vehicle, although it gives a comfortable ride, when it goes over a bump you get the feeling something is going to fall off, the dashboard is constantly creaking, and the road and wind noise are horrific. I brought it back to the dealer and was told that the road noise was pretty much a characteristic of the VUE. You cant use OnStar while the car is moving no one can hear you over the road noise. And oh, the gas mileage is awful.
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Saturn is Success! - 2006 Saturn VUE
By SarasotaSlim - November 7 - 6:13 pmI recommend this vehicle with the carry ability of a light SUV, gas mileage like a Camry, and handling like a lighter sedan car. Fun to drive. Smooth on the highway. Gs mileage is about 20-25 around town. The tote package in the trunk with the carry rack for groceries is a nice tip
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Saturn VUE - 2007 Saturn VUE
By zack - November 6 - 2:53 amI love my new car. Its great on gas and I feel safe driving in it. It gets amazing gas mileage and it is very big. It drives very easy.
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what a headache!!!! - 2002 Saturn VUE
By ladymug - November 4 - 10:00 ami hate this SUV!!! the a/c leaks into my floorboard(now being fixed for the 2nd time) the intermediate steering shaft has been fixed twice for rubbing/squeaking, it was towed cause the ignition coil went, and most recently the c. converter had to be replaced, this does not include the 10 minor problems i have had with the car. youd think Saturn Corp. would care, but once you leave with the car, customer satisfaction does not matter to them, what a joke it has been thinking you could get somewhere if you talk to the big guys!!! youre lucky if they call you back!!! i cannot wait to go car shopping tomorrow, i am done with Saturn forever!!!
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my point of Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
By Lorisue - November 4 - 2:00 amGreat experience purchasing this SUV was a pleasure. I used my GM points and my GM loyalty bucks and the rebate. I did my homework on the net then did leg work. The Vue won. I love the polymer sides, no parking lot dings or scratches. Its zippy and cute, I love the bright red! Love the compass and the temp on the mirror, and the sun roof was a must. Great gas mileage. Seats fold down for my dogs.
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Love it - 2004 Saturn VUE
By nice car - November 4 - 12:56 amIt has been a perfect vehicle for hauling around kids. It has been on many long trips. Only problems have been a bad heater core and a cd got stuck in the player. Both repaired under warranty. They require gas with clean additives. (stay away from the cheap stations) If you get ahold of bad gas or dont get the cap on right it will trip the engine light.
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Best Sedan I Have Owned - 2008 Saturn Aura
By legalbgl - November 3 - 9:43 pmThe Saturn Aura is by far the best sedan I have owned. Compare it to the Camry, the Camry feels cheap and whatever. The Accord feels flimsy. Nothing sturdy to those cars. The Aura however, feels like a presence on the road. You feel like you have something substantial and safe. What a feeling!
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Much less vehicle then expected. - 2003 Saturn VUE
By Vuehater - November 3 - 7:23 amMy 2003 VUE has been less then a joy to own. The day after I got it I cried all the way to work because it was so uncomfortable. I drive 50 miles one way. I should have gone straight back to the dealer and returned then. The window switches needed to be replaced before I took it home. The rotors on the brakes went at 24,000 miles and all four wheel bearings needed to be replaced by 50,000 miles. Only one was under warranty. (of course!) My airconditioning unit runs non stop even if its not been on in weeks. The dealer says its fine. My gas mileage in the city is around 15 mpg and barely 20mpg on the highway. Big big mistake keeping this thing. Now I am stuck with it.
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Fooled by Good Looks - 2003 Saturn ION
By Fooled by Good Looks - November 2 - 7:23 pmMy husband and I fell in love with both the exterior and interior style of the all-new ION, especially the center-console gauge cluster. I told my husband that the seating was uncomfortable, but he said it would be better in leather. After a 1,000-mile round trip, we were both seeing a chiropractor (the rear seats are even worse). Ive asked the Service Dept. to fix the transmission problem twice (rough shifting between first, second and third gears), but the problem remains. The steEring wheel binds in cold weather, another problem Ive asked to have fixed two times to no avail. I cant wait to pass this car on to someone who can take seats made out of concrete!
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Saturn Sky 171 Reviews
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Saturn VUE 1,730 Reviews