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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  The Mid Size SUV that Can - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By bikerbernie - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Price outstanding value for a family OEM tires are terrible (Bridgestone Dueler H/T 215/70 16) Great in WNY snow better tires would improve traction Roomiest behind the wheel over (GM) P/U trucks vans etc for my 6’1” 300lb body Horn is hard for wife to operate much pressure needed esp. in colder weather Window washers were r&r’ed because the nozzles pop out while in use A friends & my Vue blew front wheel bearings after our first tire rotation Dealer fixed problems under warrantee addressed every concern head on & promptly Best I have been treated by any dealer I would return 20000 mi later family is very happy with the vehicle

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  Good inexpensive car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kevin68 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I really like my saturn Its fun to drive Great gas mileage Alittle noisy Overall a good buy

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  So happy - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By sooo happy - July 16 - 10:26 pm

  Excellent car. Didnt plan on buying one. Had to have it after test drive. Extremely happy with the purchase great looking car inside and out. Saturn has really stepped up their game with car.

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  Lemon - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By fab - July 16 - 5:13 pm

  I had a Vue before I got the Relay and loved it but the Relay is another story. It has been worked on by the dealer 7 times in less than 4 years. All 7 times has been for the same problems! Its not the dealer because I have been to 2 with the same results. Dont waste your money on this car and save yourself a headache.

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  My 4th VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Robert Garrison - July 12 - 10:20 pm

  On my 2006 I am experiencing problems like wind/road noises and vibrations that are very annoying. I was supposed to have received a new VUE ordered to be manufactured just for me, but at last minute, the dealer ran one in on me off another lot but comparably equipped, but it certainly doesnt reflect any custom assembly. Fender seams, etc, could be much better fitted. Wind and road noise is tremendous. I had a years subscription remaining on my previous satellite radio, but when the free three months subscription ran out, they turned me off. No recourse. This isnt as good a quality as the 2004 Saturn VUE I owned.

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  Wonderful Sky RL - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By agm226 - July 11 - 4:06 pm

  What a great car! Fun to drive and look at. People always ask what kind of car it is! Bought special Sky luggage that fits perfect in trunk. Not a lot of room inside but geez its a convertible! Want more room? Buy a bigger car! Bought saddle bag to hold the little extras. Absolutely love everything about the car! Even the manual top!

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  seems to be a gm product - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By djcross - July 11 - 4:09 am

  I just bought the Vue about a week ago i know thats not to long ago but so far i love the SUV i love the way it drives an rides,i`ve seen alot of people write different things about the gas mileage,well to me it depends on how you drive the car,not car gets the gas mileage they show on the window sticker,1 thing i like is the cost to put gas in it it`s alot better @ almost $4 a gallon to have the Vue than a truck the cost to fill a truck is around $110 compare that to a Vue @ $50 big difference,,it has plenty of storage in the back if people don`t have the room they needed they should`ve bought a bigger SUV,the Vue drives like a caddy,smooth very sleak,plenty of power under the hood.,i hopes

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  Saturn Vue stinks Dont Buy One! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Crystal Cooper - July 11 - 12:56 am

  This is what I have had to repair in the first 3 years of my ownership! Most of the major things it happened oddly enough AFTER the warranty ran out! 1. new vehicle 1/31/02 2. panel trim replaced(shifter) 7/26/02 3. 1/08/03 Wipers stopped working. 4. 8/30/03 Transaxle oil cooler repaired 5. 1/29/04 Thermostat gasket replaced 6. 2/16/04 Shift housing indicator replaced 7. 7/10/04 Window channel replaced(inoperable power windows) 8. 8/26/04 Brakes worn out (32,000 miles) 9. 10/02/04 front seat cover replaced(excessive wear) 10. 2/12/05 replace rear lateral link(recall, rear wheel could fall off) 11. Front wheel bearing hub 5/05 12. 7/9/05 Brake inspection(needs repair and resurface roto

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  Saturn Relay 2006- Check out the ride - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By david nelson - July 10 - 2:06 pm

  Having many problems with rough ride. Tires replaced, extensive investigation of rough ride, dealership states "interent to the vehicle". I will never buy another saturn. Only started happening about 15,000 miles.

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  Problems - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Sherri - July 10 - 10:43 am

  Ive owned my Outlook for 14 months and have had several problems. Transmission leak in 9th month of ownership; two "repairs" on leaking sunroof and now an oil leak. Love the car otherwise; MPG is around 18 City. Im selling it - a car this expensive should not have transmission problems before a year is up!