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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  Dissapointed and Insulted - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By supercell777 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Saturn is aware of and refuses to find permanent fixes for: Steering column rattle, front end rattle, loose front end, sway bar link breakage, premature suspension wear/failure. Sound system is of less quality than in a base model Hyundai Accent. Saturn Service is hit and miss, aside from major problems, if you want it done right, do it yourself.

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  Excellent Car with Top Up or Down - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By John - April 22 - 5:06 pm

  Whenever I drive this car it always great. It loves corners like the magna traction racing cars I drove as a kid on the slot tracks, but this is the real thing that I can get into and drive and still have moeny left for gas. Yes the only minor gripe is the limited space in the trunk when the top down is down, but it is a sports car and a good looking one at that. Some people say what do you think about the manual top? and I say it is easy and quick to put it up and down, simple open the doors, move the latch, pop the trunk and shut it, done. I never have to worry about an electric roof motor braking. I have drove a lot of cars and I waited a year to get this one and it has been worth it.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Chris - April 22 - 3:00 am

  After owning a Grand Cherokee with over 200K (with no issues, we bought what we thought would be a great vehicle, but... We love the design and comfort. From the day we got it though, there have been a string of mechanical problems. From the service engine light on and off all of the time, to the transmission slipping. It cost nearly $1000 to replace the alternator b/c the part had to come from Saturn and the engine had to be moved just to get to it. Now it needs a wheel hub and a water pump. The suspension is very noisy as well. I wish GM had put the right drivetrain in it they would have had a winner!

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  Good, cheap car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By bobwill - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car at the end of December, so far everyone whos seen it has liked the looks, and everyone whos ridden in it likes the performance and ride. I got it with ABS/traction control, A/C, and CD-Player. I have to say, its quiet, responsive, gets decent mileage, and has plenty of room. Reviewers have complained about uncomfortable seats, but I have to say I find them more comfortable than most car seats. I think this has to do with my 63" frame, and sitting in a seat that is molded to fit a 59" person like a glove does not work with my back.

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  Ok car - 2007 Saturn ION
  By cloewe08 - April 21 - 5:10 pm

  I got an 07 ION sedan 2.2l automatic alloy wheels spoiler sunroof and was excited. I loved the car for about the first 6 months then realized some of the poor quality that went into it. The seats are extremely cheap. I only have 22,000 miles on the car and the fabric in the drivers seat is coming loose. Also the light grey fabric throughout the interior stains extremely easily. This is more apparent as you own the car for a year at least and anything will stain the seats/carpet. At 18000 miles the driver window fasteners failed and the window was loose inside the frame. The sunroof creaks when you go over a bump or change in road incline (like up a steep driveway). Engine s great.

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  Sad - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By cayenne72 - April 20 - 7:41 pm

  My Vue went our last March. I didnt drive it much I had it for 3 years. I bought it at 54,000 miles on it. Sadly enough had I driven it more it would have been covered when the tranny went out.it was a month after the deadline. Im surprised people are still selling the 2002-2005 at 8,000. They are only worth about 4,000. It was a decent car. Its not worth 8,000,considering the transmission in it costs 5,000 to replace. Oddly enough I would consider buying a 2007-2009, but GM is so hard to deal with.

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  Switched from the Camry - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Mr. Camry - April 20 - 8:23 am

  I was pleasantly suprised when I found myself at a Saturn dealership as a Camry man. My neighbor convinced me to come in and I was glad I did. The value you get in this car is like no other that I test drove. The Aura is beautiful, powerful, quiet, and hugs the road like a BMW in my opinion. Best of all was what you get for the price.

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  Mixed bag - some outstanding parts - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Redmond - April 18 - 5:20 pm

  It is a powerful, smooth, great- handling sedan with great performance. It is rock-solid and very quiet inside. The interior design is very attractive, although it becomes bland as you live with it. The comfort of the front seats and the quality of the interior materials is lacking, especially the cheap plasticky center console. I keep expecting it to just break off its mounts. The seats also seem to have a certain amount of unpleasant rocking on thier base -makes car feel cheap. Sound system is excellent. Exterior styling is nicely upscale, and I like my massive rims.

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  My New Saturn - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Susie - April 15 - 2:30 pm

  I went to this dealer to see a used Jeep Grand Cherokee and ended up buying a 2006 VUE. I believe it was a much better buy, 3 years newer, 1/2 the miles and covered by the mfg warranty. I also purchased a VUE with a sunroof which has been really a nice option for me. I have only had the car about a week but am extremely happy with it. I like the interior a lot. Have ordered luggage racks for it to give it a sportier look, mud flaps too. Think I got a lot more car for my money!

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  Fuel Economy - Awful - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By SM - April 14 - 6:33 am

  Fun to drive car. Awful fuel economy! I drive mainly on the highway and this car gets the worst fuel economy I have ever seen with a "economy" car. 8.6L/100KM mostly driving at 110-115 KM/HR and 50-60km/hr in city (90% of km on highway)