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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  Frustrated - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Frustrated - April 7 - 2:43 pm

  Its a good thing that Saturn stopped making the ION. This car developed rattles after about 1000 miles, its gas mileage has gone from about 35 average to about 13. Its going to go to the wrecker soon if it keeps losing its solid "new car" feeling. It has some pep, but that just makes the fuel pump sound like someone knocking to get out of the trunk. This car is fun to drive, but knowing that each press of the gas pedal is costing a few dollars and listening to all the interior rattle and buzz makes me drive like a senior citizen.

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  Turns heads Everywhere - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Reggie8 - April 4 - 11:06 pm

  I absolutely love the car. Everywhere we go, heads turn as they watch us drive by. I get stopped at the grocery and at the gas station to see what it is and how I like it. If you havent had a chance to drive one, stop by and experience the fun it is and youll see everyone turn to look at you too!

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  Stupid American Car... - 2007 Saturn ION
  By papaclutch - April 4 - 12:20 pm

  Used to Hondas and Toyotas. Bought used Ion for my teenage daughter - what a mistake. Clean CarFax, 91,000 seemed to drive fine. Assumed it would be good for her limited driving needs for a few years. Wrong - at just 91K needs ball joints, shocks/struts, and the transmission seems to occasionally slip. Repairs first year are going to be as much as I paid for the car - $3000! In the end I should have just spent $6000 on a good Honda or Toyota. American cars are just bad - especially GM. No American cars for me EVER AGAIN.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Joan - April 3 - 10:00 am

  We drive to AZ twice a year which takes 8 hrs. The car gets excellent gas mileage and is very comfortable with the heated seats. When we take passengers, the back seat is extremely comfortable. We love this car and I am very sorry that it is out of business. The Vue is a pleasure to ride and drive all of the time.

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  Astounding - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Mr Bruce - April 2 - 11:46 am

  Wow, do I like this car. Great freeway cruiser, has almost identical dimensions to our Accord but 4 in longer wheelbase, which translates: smooth ride. Built on same platform as Saab 9-3. 6 speed trans works great, very responsive to shift down for speeding up or going up hills. Engine turns only 2k RPM at 70mph. Paddle shifters are handy at times but rarely use. Is eager to shift to overdrive for max fuel economy. If you can drive the speed limit, you can get 34 mpg highway. Very quiet, feels like a heavy, solid car but gets sporty when you throw it around. Nicely laid out interior is elegant and comfortable. Im 6-3 and have lots of room. So sad these are the last of a great model.

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  Not your accountants Saturn - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By OC Driver - April 2 - 11:43 am

  Silver with black leather interior looks sharp and classy. My XR looks like an Audi A6 with just a hint of Lexus. The car is tight, very quick, and has so many nice touches.

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  Saturn VUE Stalls while driving - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Pat609 - March 31 - 10:10 am

  I own a 2005 Saturn Vue AWD with 37,700 miles,last week while driving home from work the vehicle just stopped running no warning at all, dashboard lights went out except for the rear defogger which at that point came on and wouldnt shutoff. I emailed Saturn Co. and received a response, denies knowing of any recalls for the vehicle, ( I found dozens of complaints all over the Internet) suggested I take the SUV to the dealer . The Saturn is still setting at dealership. I called them prior to taking it in,and was told they had one or 2 vehicles with same problem, I go in and now they tell me this never happen before. I hate this car!!

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  Problems Allready 04 VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By purcntry - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Inside of 30 days of ownership in for OBD code P0571 3 times (Cruise/brake switch A malfunction) replaced switch service wrench light came back on in less than 4 blocks from service dept. Campaign to upgrade software to correct the computer from clearing OBD codes when vehicle ignition turned off strike 4. 3 conclusions campaign does not work, bad computer onboard hence unable to correct the code or faulty wiring with low voltage either way headed back down on saturday to give back problem vehicle for same model without service wrench light problem. They can try to fix it with there time not mine.

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  Comfortable but chintzy interior - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By doctor dave - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Saturn Vue is comfortable and there is a lot of interior room. The inside finish is particularly cheap and the overall workmanship is less than one would expect from a car sold at a premium on which there is no negotiation. The legendary Saturn service is a great ad campaign but in practice it is a lot of "feel good activity" and very little actual help or action if something is wrong.

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  Piece of junk! DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By osuraerae - March 29 - 5:25 pm

  We had the Vue for one week and the moon roof broke...then the transmission went out. We were told only a Saturn dealer could fix it and we took it to the dealer and they said it would cost $7600 to fix it! We traded the piece of junk in...it wasnt worth it! Do not buy this car! You will regret it!