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:

• 

  Mechanics nightmare - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Three Saturn owner - February 24 - 1:20 am

  My 2005 Saturn ION is poorly designed. Hood pops open easily because hood latch is on the floor near my left foot. During cold weather the engine starts fine but after a few miles of driving it begins to race. If I put it in Park the RPMs stay at about 2000. I must shut the car off then restart to get the RPMs down to the normal 600-700. Saturn has looked at it numerous times but cannot find the problem. Also during high humidity the turn signals unexpectantly stop working on the front along w/ the daytime lights. This is my final Saturn. I love my 97- 5 speed SL1 with 215000 miles on it. My 2000 L-series came from the dealer without rear wheels being aligned.

• 

  Love It & Hate It - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By zr77 - February 22 - 1:47 am

  We bought our Outlook used with 40K miles, and thankfully I bought an extended warranty, its paid for itself many times over already in the 2 and 1/2 years weve owned this car. We traded in a Mazda MPV minivan with 140K miles that needed maybe $800 worth of repairs over the 6+ years we owned it. The Saturn on the other hand has cost over $5000 in repairs. Luckily the warranty covered all but about $800-900. I was able to get the timing chain repaired under the recall and an issue with the transmission as well. Weve had issues with the AC, heating vents, sunroofs pour in water, brakes replaced many times, oil leaks (major), will not stay aligned, tires are junk, poor paint quality etc.

• 

  Opt for the v6 over the 4 - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By spot - February 22 - 12:13 am

  Originally purchased the 4 cyl model with all the bells and whistles. After driving it for a week, I found myself almost always using passing gear going up hill. Took it back and switched it for the v6 and wow, what a difference. Ride was much more smoother and quieter. Low end power is great. It will hold freeway speeds at under 2000 rpm. This is my 5th Saturn and its the best by far.

• 

  Nice but needs improvement - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By norene - February 21 - 8:20 pm

  The driver seat is uncomfortable for me at the lower level. It need to be improved for 53" and below and the gas pad need to be a little closer because I feel like Im on top of the steering wheel which is not good if in an accident. Getting out is a problem unless you want to adjust the seat everytime. The seat has caused back problem for and I have always had bucket seats but the seat isnt back friendly. The doors swing out too far but I understand this is for long legs and short legs just have to adjust. The armrest need to be longer for short arms. Even with it extending it is not comfortable. Blind spots in mirrors.

• 

  My Saturn VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By garkat93 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The VUE that I purchased runs excellent with amazingly surprising power for a 4 cylinder. It is very comfortable with more room in the back seat than any other suv out there. For my small family this SUV is perfect. Absolutely excellent in the snow. If you are going to buy one do yourself a favor and buy the AWD with the CVT transmission. I have blown past some well known SUVs with six cylinders up hills! So dont under estimate the power of this little SUV.

• 

  1st Saturn and loving it! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By vue5531 - February 20 - 1:42 am

  I bought my Vue in 2008 and its 2011 and I have not had a single problem with it. The carfax was clean. Its roomy, zippy, and pretty quiet. Ive read mostly negative reviews about this car and I dont see what their talking about. I must have gotten lucky. The only thing I had to do was replace the brakes.

• 

  What a Car! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Land of Zia - February 17 - 9:06 pm

  I went looking in Sept of 06 looking for a Vue but the Aura XE was love at first sight. This awesome driving experience is something to look forward to every day. The 3.5L V6 performs most superiorly to its counterparts from Japan and Europe. When driving conservatively on the highway I could achieve economy in the mid 30s. A great joy to drive; economy and powerful performance plus ample amenities for an excellent price of only $22K. The Saturn Aura should alert educated buyers of the excellence and perfection that a roadster can be. If you are an import zealot, how sad to forego the experience of driving a real car for an inferior one. VW, Honda, Toyota and Subaru; no comparison.

• 

  Our fourth Saturn - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By uga91 - February 16 - 6:53 pm

  Weve had three previous Saturns and now we have the one my wife has wanted since they came out. We bought the manual because we wanted it and we are enjoying it so far. Very peppy and good looking, IMO.

• 

  2007 VUE is almost perfect! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By T.J. - February 16 - 9:10 am

  So far the car has been perfect for me. I would say the external look is perfect with the Black Onyx paint, chrome package, and internal wood-trim accents. It looks much more pricy than it really was. The car handles rather well. A little odd if you accelerate around corners quickly though. Sometimes it feels as if the wheel gets stickier in your turn direction if you go too fast around a turn. And the engine is extremely peppy with a 3.5L V6. Overall the classy look, gas mileage for an SUV, and Honda engine were the big sellers for me. If youre a big music person, upgrade the speakers the stock ones are very basic.

• 

  cue to a vue - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By b t - February 15 - 10:00 am

  got 10000 miles on it with only a faulty fuel gauge. Half the cost of a Pacifica, and not as ugly as the Rav4 or Element. Holds a lot with seats folded, and quick for a 4 banger. A rear seat armrest would be nice, as would bigger front armrests. I got big arms. Ill have to install some Bimmer sport-Recaros.