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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  You dont get what you pay for - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Yellowbaxter67 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle strickly because it was the lowest cost for insurance. I like the exterior design of the car (clean and sleek looking). I have had the car for almost 5 months now and had the gas cap replaced twice. It keeps loosing on it on and making the engine light come on. I have taken it in three times and it was replaced twice. The decal on the bumper is already coming off. BEST BET...GET SOMETHING ELSE.

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  03 saturn - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Hard worker - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I got into a drivers side impact accident and the car saved my life. I walked away with just a bruise and the car was totaled.

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  got a lemon - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By hates vue - April 19 - 6:36 am

  I hate the saturn vue I have been to the dealer 8 times in as many weeks. I loved the vehicle for the first 6 months (13,000 Miles) then everything started to go wrong with the catalitic convertor, struts, suspension, axels, ignition cylinder and a few other repairs to the bushings etc. The dealer have been wonderful and helpful FORGET CORPORATE the person who I deal with knows less about cars than I do and their response is oh well too bad so sad we will honor the 36,000 mile warrenty thats it. AAAHHHH and things are still going wrong with it. NEVER AGAIN

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  Excellent First New Car! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Dave - April 18 - 9:20 pm

  I am absolutley thrilled with my Aura. Last year at this time, I never would have imagined owning a Saturn, but after test driving the Nissan, Toyota, and Honda, It won hands down. For the price I could afford, the car looked the best and was the most fun to drive. I purchased the chrome wheelcovers after I brought it home and it even looks better. You cant even tell theyre not real rims! Overall I couldnt be happier and happy to see an American car company finally step up to the plate. Well done Saturn. Now if I can just get a picture with the car of the year trophy, it will be complete!

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  Very Nice - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ROOMwithaVUE - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great SUV so far !!

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  Vue Lover - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By VUE Lover - April 14 - 8:16 pm

  Overall a great car. Love the design, very roomy and so much fun to drive. I Went up to Lake Tahoe and the car had no issues, not bad for a 4 cyclinder

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  Love my Saturns - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By SaturnLover - April 13 - 10:00 am

  The Vue was my 5th Saturn. I have enjoyed everyone of them. I dont think I will buy any other car, as long as GM doesnt destoy a good thing... The car is great, but the service is the icing on cake. Thank you Saturn!

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  Saturn ION 3 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By drkeer - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Terrible reflections from dash to interior windshield. Dash lighting(red lamps are terrible. You can see them at night but in the day time they are impossible to read. Noisy rude. Interior finish is also below standard. No dash control for Cabin light. Interior room is lacking . Nowhere to put Items when you are traveling. Coffe holders are too small.

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  excellent car for the price - 2004 Saturn ION
  By carrier - April 13 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a better design than the s series. comfortable and roomy for a family of four, handling is awesome. tunk compartment is huge for a small compact car.

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  The Aura is a real winner! - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Dave - April 12 - 3:56 pm

  I think Saturn (GM) hit a home run with the Aura. Its sleek in an everymans kind of way, has more useful gadgets than my toolbox, and the economy is outstanding. On the highway with cruise control at 70, I consistently enjoy 38 mpg; thats darn good in a non-hybrid mid-size sedan. The 2.4 liter 4-banger does just fine and I live in the mountains - of course, Im not trying to jump every car off the line. The 6 speed automatic is smooth as glass, although with a bit of throttle hestitation - you do have to get used to it. I find the interior to be quite well done and ergonomically laid out. The seat fits me well and has proven quite comfortable on a 6 hour trip. I give Aura an A-.