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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  my saturn ion 3 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By hooty50 - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my saturn ion 3 since 12/30 and i absolutely love the car. It rides like a much bigger car than my satuarn sl 1 that i used to have and is bigger inside and also has a bigger trunk. I would reccomend this car to anyone.

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  Lemon Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Jrdpa - March 11 - 5:50 am

  My Vue has been in the shop 8 times in 6 months. The inside of the windshield has been freezing over completely in the winter. I come out of the house and its frozen. They had to replace the heater core. It has never sounded or driven the same since it came back. Also, the windshield wiper fluid leaked because they made the reservoir and neck two pieces and they had to replace pieces there as well. About a month after I got it there was a recall to reset the computer because apparently some had lights staying on too long draining the battery. Also, I never got better than 17 MPG / 250 miles a tank. They had to take rust off brakes after only 6 months too.

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  Pacific Blue Bliss - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Dave - March 8 - 5:56 am

  Wow...the re-designed ION3 is just the ticket. Love the ride/handling and layout of the interior. The car is really quiet! Having traded in a 95 SL2 I was amazed at the noise reduction.

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  Remarkable workmanship - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By DBROOK3959@AOL.COM - March 8 - 5:53 am

  It handles really well especially on the interstate road, and also I am not really accustomed to drive electric power steering system and it is awesome that how sensitive she handles on the road. Gas mileage is really superb - 25 miles on highway and 19 miles in city. I have arthritis am overweight its easy for me to get in and out of the Vue.

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  Great Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By jcmoore1976 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The Vue is an excellent vehicle when equipped with the Honda V6 engine. The interior is my only complaint. It is not as refined as many other vehicles. I guess I got spoiled after deriving a VW. As far as performance and just plain fun to drive the Vue is a winner.

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  Great Value - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By BGK - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I got the sport plus package, which combined with incentives provided a great vehicle for about $15k. Nothing else comes close for the money. I looked at the CR-V which was noiser and unimpressive, with strange interior layout (expecially parking brake). Also looked at the Escape and Vibe, neither of which impressed me either. The VUE had the best features and was easy to get used to.

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  Good Little Car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Kimberly1 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I have been pleased with the performance of the Ion. It has a lot of nice features (big trunk, rear folding seats, speedometer is in the middle, etc). My biggest complaint about the vehicle is that the transmission slips (almost always) when you quicly accelerate while turning-- usually from a standstill while turning left--I do not know why this happens and I would like to know if there are any other Ion owners who have their transmission slip on them now and then. Thanks

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  V6 FWD VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Tmich - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am extremly pleased with the Saturn Vue. Like others have noted the first impression I had is the power of this vehicle with the V6. It literally has get up and go power when you hit the gas at any speed!I have read number of major suv/truck magazine reviews labeling the interior as being "cheap". But I personally would characterize the interior as a "minimalist" interior...in that I have just about all the creature comforts you could get on this vehicle and for me, everything is very well laid out and functional, no frills no fuss! It handles well, and is a very comfortable vehicle to ride in.

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  Ion Quad - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Eaglep4 - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I have recently purchased a fully loaded saturn ion leval 3 quad coupe. This vehicle is fun to drive and practical with great crash ratings and good gas millage. The saturn buying experiance is like no other... just drop by a saturn dealer youll see what i mean. And it is made by GM so you cant go wrong.

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  Not happy with the Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By JC - March 4 - 6:40 pm

  I purchased the 4 cylinder strictly for fuel economy and I am not seeing anywhere close to the 19/26 as promised. Even with the cruise set on the highway I am only getting 18 mpg? I am very dispapppointed in the vehicle overall!