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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  Love this car - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By juderyan2 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Saturn and my favorite. Saturn is the only dealer I have ever used in my life for post warranty service of any kind. With all my previous cars, I looked for a local mechanic for all the usual reasons. Saturn dealers arent any cheaper than elsewheere, but the service is always good. In addition, my car has all the features I wanted at a reasonable price.

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  Great car-despite the critics! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By DaisyNJ - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. She drives like a dream-smooth, great handling and WAY more pick up than the other sedans I have owned. Despite the critics comments that the back seats are uncomfortable-I have had 6 people comment and how great they are. I love the instrument panel in the middle-it makes your drive so much easier. No more looking through the steering wheel to see your speed. The roomy interior is one of the best features. My 64" buddy can join me with no problem. My only complaint is the interior fabric. The stains do not come out BUT luckily, they have fixed that for 2004 modfel year. Overall, this is the best car I have owned.

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  Happy ION Owner - 2004 Saturn ION
  By brumilcar - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Good dependable car, fun to drive, good handling in traffic.

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  Love it - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By tjones - January 19 - 4:23 pm

  I have finally found a car that I know I will not want to trade in within a couple of years. This vehicle has everything - comfort, style, safety, space. This is my 4th Saturn that Ive owned and Im convinced it will be my last! Well, at least until the kids are out of the house. Its a great size without feeling like youre driving a Semi down the road.

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  My new ride! - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Kevboy - January 19 - 5:06 am

  I have been waiting to purchase this car for about 6 months to see what other peoples reactions were. Everyone has overwhelmingly recommended it, so I just bought one. So far I love it! Black paint is stunning, leather interior beautifully stitched, performs incredibly. I am very satisfied!

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  Love it! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By orchestra99 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have truly enjoyed my VUE. It is easy to drive (I have a 5-speed), quick, easy to handle, and excellent for vision. I play hockey and have more than enough room for equipment and sticks, plus hand storage for numerous things. Been just great. All the controls are easily accessible and easy to use. The cruise control is particularly handy.

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  saturn vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By russbiggica - January 15 - 2:00 am

  looking for a basic and inexpensive suv, Saturn Vue is the best i found.

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  the good/the bad/and the not reliable - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rhonnybeware - January 15 - 2:00 am

  ive had my vue only 4 months and it has been in the service dept 5 times,from pink fluid leak to clicking noise under the hood to noise in the dash and the worst of all 4 times for a very bad transmission problem that is still no good. talk with the manufactures said not enough to be sent in as a lemon. so to anyone out there if you are looking to buy a vue,really think again.will be trading this lemon in may have to pay more but i want good and reliablity in a vehicle. fell in love with vue when i saw it now really unhappy!! with performance.

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  I love my ION!!! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By daisy3509 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My Ion is such a great investment. As a college student i find it as an awesome vehicle to get around campus and to and from school. Its so fun to drive, and I get TONS of compliments on it!!

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  Good to go and cheap - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Viewer - January 13 - 3:26 pm

  26 MPG, Leather heated seats sunroof, roomy fun great stereo. Let the good times roll. Oh and zero mechanical issues the first 35K