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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  Worth every Penny - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By JImTarter - March 29 - 11:36 am

  At 48 years old this car was bought just to enjoy driving. Unlike some low ego emmission cars, you will get stopped by someone asking who makes it. As an American I an proud to say Saturn. Hopefully they wont try over engineer it like Ford did the 1965 Mustang. The Mustang was my first car but I like this Sky better.

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  My first Saturn - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Melissa - March 27 - 8:40 am

  You cannot truly appreciate this car until you drive it. I had previously owned an 07 Pontiac Vibe and my lease was almost up. I was only going to the Saturn dealership to get ideas on what to buy next and fell in love with the Astra! My fiancee and I returned to the dealership hours later after going to look at the new Vibe for comparison, not caring for the new model year upgrades on it. This is a fun car to drive! This car hugs the road and is super quiet inside even on rougher roads. Im looking forward to warmer temperatures in Pittsburgh so I can use my oversized sunroof!

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  Great car - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Jennifer - March 26 - 5:36 am

  I have always drive a GMC Z-71 but living in Atlanta GA and driving 25,000 miles a year had to retire my truck to the driveway and get a car that fits my driving budget. This car has been great! I still love my truck but do not want to spend $1000 a month. The ION is fun to drive and gets about 30mi per gallon, my truck gets 12. If I had to switch this is the car for me. 16,000 miles and no problems with this car.

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  Very Pleased - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Central NY Bob - March 24 - 2:00 am

  We tested the Honda CRV, Ford Escape, and the VUE. Did not like the CRV at all. The Ford Escape was a close second, but the Vue was our choice. We definitely liked the VUE more than the Escape, but at the time Ford offered a nice rebate which we liked. Some of the reasons we liked the VUE so much besides our obvious preferences, was the way it drove. It handled like a car versus a truck. Also the service and dealership at Saturn have always provided us with OUTSTANDING service. This is our second Saturn. We love it.

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  sad - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Denise - March 22 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Saturn Ion in 2005 it was a year old. I have driven it for almost four years. Really the only problem I have had with it was the CD s stick. This last Sunday however my daughter was hit on the passenger front end. After doing some research I found out that the 2004 had a recall of the body structure on the passenger side right where she was hit. she was driving about 20mph and was hit by a truck going about 55-70 in town. The Ion Airbags did not deploy. Thank God she was not hit severely. Though my car was totalled. I have found six other recalls on the car I bought and I have never received any type of notification...

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  VUE for You - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Ed Martino - March 22 - 10:30 am

  Traded a 2004 4-cyl VUE for the 2006 with the 250HP 6-Cyl. At a sustained 75MPH on the highway the six gets the same MPG as the four since it is not working hard. Very comfortable in city and highway with LOADS of power. The free OnStar system for one year is great. Talking hands free "into my rearview mirror" is a treat. Overall after 2500 miles I am very happy with almost everything about the 6 cyl VUE. The only suggestion I have is that they should improve the brakes with discs all around. Great value for the money.

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  Value and Very Safe! - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By james - March 22 - 1:46 am

  We just bought this SUV and really like the design and look. Good gas mileage! The base model has electric everything, self dimming lights,cruise OnStar, phone, directions, side air bags, and $4000 incentive. It is quiet and steady, a well rounded choice. It not a race car, but for soccer, camping and going to the lake it fills the bill.

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  Not really pleased... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ladydih30 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  In the past year Ive taken my car into the dealership to have 6 different (major) things repaired. The ignition was replaced, the passenger side lower control arm had to be replaced, the turn signal wiring had to be replaced, the computer replaced. There was a fuel line recall, and the door lock collapsed into the door. Someone at the dealership told me to be grateful I didnt have the same problem another customer does, apparently her car just shuts down randomly as she is driving along and they cant figure out why. I dont have the trust in my Saturn that I had in the cars Ive had by other manufaturers.

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  redline vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By swatcop - March 18 - 10:00 am

  faster then the awd model closer to 7.0 0-60. once in a while turns over a while before it starts. the only thing i dont like is the location of the window controls.

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  My pee wee ion 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Michael L. Joyner - March 18 - 10:00 am

  i like the gas mileage and the way it drives