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 3171 through 3180 of 3,767.00-
1st Saturn purchase - 2003 Saturn ION
By MCGIRL - August 6 - 10:00 amI absolutely love my car. It is fun to drive. It gets noticed. Everyone has a comment about its unique styling, i.e. center mounted cluster bezel. My mom bought one within weeks of my purchase. However, be mindful of purchasing this car if you have children-especially big ones. I have 3. I can only transport two in the rear seat in car seats. With car seats in place, I cannot fit a 3rd person, even a small one in the rear seat. Although Ive got my sites on buying an SUV in the near future since Im doing most of the family transporting, I hope to hang on to this car as my "fun car".
-
Unhappy Outlook Owner - 2008 Saturn Outlook
By Wet Outlook Owner - August 6 - 6:06 amWe did a lot of research before buying this car. We have always been a Toyota family. We saw the Outlook and decided it was a match for us. We have had air conditioning issues since the second day we had the car. The air, when it is hot outside, will blow hot air. It kicks on and off doing that. Had it to the dealer 3 times for fix. They had to replace the entire control console. Then we had the car flooded 3 times because the sunroof is leaking. Terrible design allowing so much water to come into the car leaking from the sunroof. The transmission also seems to lag when shifting gears. We have had the car in for repairs a total of 8 times in 6 months. Toyota we will be back soon!
-
Gret Car - 2008 Saturn Outlook
By Jeff - August 5 - 5:06 pmI was looking at a variety of vehicles as I come from an SUV history. This meets all my expectations and was cheaper than its cousin the Buick Enclave. I am totally satisfied with my choice
-
Fantastic SUV - 2009 Saturn VUE
By Ryan Z. - August 2 - 10:36 pmI waited a long time to buy this car, but Im glad I did. Everything you could want in an SUV you get with the Saturn Vue. I bought the XR V-6 with a couple of options, but nothing fancy. I love the way it drives, handles, and the way you feel like your a part of the car when you sitting in the drivers seat. The interior is set up beautifully. The V- 6 engine is strong and gives the car plenty of power. Everyone that sees this car cant believe its a Saturn. Bravo Saturn.
-
Vehicle Rating - 2005 Saturn ION
By Tamara Manley - August 1 - 8:03 pmMy car, is literally my office. With all the driving that I do, I am very comfortable. Its great on gas, so it goes easy on my pocketbook. The dealership is also very friendly, and always makes me feel like I am the only customer there. The kids love the car, and when we go on long trips, everyone is comfortable, including my husband who is six foot, four. When I first looked at the car, I was never pressured into buying it, and I went back several times before I bought it.
-
Great... - 2003 Saturn ION
By Luis - July 30 - 10:00 amGreat to drive....Great handling...
-
Boo for the ION - 2003 Saturn ION
By June Ruggiero - July 30 - 10:00 amI have been beyond disappointed with my Saturn Ion. We drove up to Syracuse for a wedding with my suitcases in the trunk and my bridesmaids dress laid out on top. When we arrived in Syracuse, it was raining. I opened my trunk to and the rain came pouring off of the trunk ONTO my dress. Not good, especially after a 5-hour car ride and the back pain from the uncomfortable seats. And on top of that...I have already had 2 flat tires on my 4-month- old car. The idiot customer service manager with whom I spoke did not make matters any better. Overall, a HUGE disappointment.
-
My Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
By Jaskss - July 30 - 10:00 amI Love My Saturn Vue There Really isnt Much more to say Except Excellence
-
buy it - 2003 Saturn VUE
By paulette - July 30 - 10:00 amthis car is so great i cant believe that i had never driven one before its much better than my honda-crv that i had im hooked my future car will difinately be a satun .also i was so impressed with the fact that it had a cd/cassett in it ya------
-
Best bang for your buck - 2007 Saturn Sky
By oceans221 - July 29 - 6:53 amI purchased my Sky about a week ago. The sales staff were extremely easy to deal with and made the deal happen within minutes. Although these usually go for about $1,500 - $3000 over sticker they let it go for $500 over as they had 2 on the lot, very rare. I love the car. Everywhere I go I get positive feedback on both its looks and its affordability. This car is definitely the most car for your dollar if youre shopping for a sports car on a budget that doesnt look like youre on a budget.
-
Saturn Astra 133 Reviews
-
Saturn Aura 381 Reviews
-
Saturn ION 975 Reviews
-
Saturn Outlook 266 Reviews
-
Saturn Relay 111 Reviews
-
Saturn Sky 171 Reviews
-
Saturn VUE 1,730 Reviews