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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  Quite a surprise for a GM product - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By formerbmwowner - July 25 - 9:43 am

  We needed an SUV that could tow our boat, seat the family and the dog comfortably, and not break the bank at the gas pump. The interior room on our Outlook is unbelievable, even in the third row of seats. Towing is competent, but lack of a V8s power is apparent. A remarkable amount of techno-goodies (hint: the Saturn is a much better value the way it is equipped than an Arcadia or Enclave). Wont win any prize for looks, but not bad, either. Gas mileage is a question mark. City driving were getting about 14, highway better at 22- 24. Transmission is annoying, shifts back and forth on the slightest grade, although it seems to be getting better. Pefect family cruisemobile!

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  Not impressed - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Fuzzybear - July 24 - 5:26 am

  The 3.6 V6 certainly gives the driver a generous amount of power. Straight- line acceleration is fantastic. The six speed auto is OK, but it can be irritating when I slow to 45 to switch highways because it does not like to downshift. The handling is a different story. The suspension is too sensitive. Each time I hit a bump or dip, the car starts to go off in another direction. I have to grab the wheel tightly and pull the car back into a straight line. The stock tires dont help either. On another note, I am not a tall guy, and I have a hard time getting in and out of the drivers seat. I can only imagine how annoying it must be for people who are 6+.

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  Saturn Vue 2003 AWD V6 - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Cherieoub - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Fun vehicle to drive and Saturn has an excellent customer service. Great deal for the money!

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  ROLL BACK - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By TER - July 24 - 2:00 am

  HAVE FOUND WHEN THE VUE IS ONA SHARP INCLINE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT ROLL BACK. CONCERNED ABOUT HITTING A PERSON OF VEHICLE BEHIND ME OR ACCELRATING TOO QUICKLY WHEN COMPENSATING FOR ROLL BACK. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER WHO INDICATES THIS IS "NORMAL". VARIABLE TRANSMISSION ESSENTIALLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPED. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE REGARDING THIS PROBLE AS IDLE CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. I NOW HAVE A SIGN ON THE BACK OF MY SATURN INDICATING THE "VUE WILL ROLL BACK PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE". YOU SEE THE CAR ALMOST HIT A CHILD AS IT ROLLED BACK....APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO SATURN "ILL GET USED TO THIS"....

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  Best Sports Car Value - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By SkyRider - July 21 - 9:46 pm

  Ive had my Sky for 10 days and loving it. I stand there looking at it (like everyone else) and shake my head saying, "I cant believe this is a GM product." Saturn hit this one out of the ballpark and with minor exceptions, is the best value of any sports car on the market. In other words, this car looks like a $50-70,000 sports car. Thats what people say, thats what they think, and Im embarrassed to tell them how much it really cost. In fact, from now on, Ill just go along. The comment I hear the most driving around (mostly men pointing and telling their wives/girlfriends): "Thats the new Saturn!" My only regret: Ill be driving it in the winter.

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  Get a load of that VUE - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Robert - July 21 - 4:40 pm

  Im more about bells-and-whistles than nuts-and-bolts, but this is a very nice ride. After 17 months, I get 28-29mpg, though I just took a 400-mile trip on far less than a tank of gas (I average 410-430mpt, but this time I got over 450). As expected, mpg drops in the dead of winter and summer, with extra heater/AC use. Inside layout is easy, and takes only a minor getting used to (I no longer try to set the cruise control on the steering wheel and end up changing the radio station). Visibility and cargo capacity are quite good. Comfy seats, OnStar and XM are awesome. A couple of minor computer issues, resolved by dealer. And that engine turnoff at stoplights still freaks out passengers.

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  Saturn van - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By wade - July 21 - 7:46 am

  A good driving van. Comes loaded up on the level 3 package. The DVD player, with four cordless headphones, is a great kid pleaser. Nice American made van

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  Love my ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By wayne - July 20 - 11:20 pm

  Driving this car is great. The electric steering system is better than other systems. Went through a heavy hail storm, polymer panels came through without any problems.

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  Saturn VUE Hybrid - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By ron - July 18 - 5:03 pm

  It drives nice, handles very well and is comforable to drive. The passenger seat could be improved for comfort by making the seat more flexible in range up and down and other adjustments. Storage is adequate for the size of the vehicle and is what we expected when we downsized.

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  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By frank - July 18 - 5:30 am

  An absolutely terrific car. I love it more every day. Wise move to put the Honda & Camry on the lot, as Aura has absolutely nothing to hide. For what you are paying this car is awesome.