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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  Add my repair bills and I could have bought a Land Rover - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By threeninety - March 17 - 10:17 pm

  We bought this car new, since day one its been a horrible money pit. Saturn found a way to get out of fixing anything under warrantee, Im glad the brand is gone, GM shame on you. Sunroof has always leaked (I constantly am dealing with the drains), interior has always been moldy as a result. Fixed the transmission twice, in fact fixed just about everything twice. Car has stranded my wife and toddlers on several occasions. Worst car I have ever had, regret even buying any Saturn or modern day GM product. Ill never own a Honda or import, so Ill try Dodge and Ford. Whomever was on the staff designing this POS should go back to school, or design scooters.

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  My VUE is a POJ - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Vince - November 23 - 4:16 am

  I have nothing but continued trouble with this vehicle from day 1 including ABS sensors, transmission issues along with many other small problems that seem to "popup" over the time I have owned the vehicle. I would not and will not ever recommend or own a Saturn or VUE again in my life.

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  Problems Problems - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Hugh - October 17 - 3:00 pm

  I purchased this VUE in 2004. It has too many problems to list. VUE was purchased with a 6 year 60,000 mile warrenty and was maintained every 3000 miles by the dealer. A short list of problems include: Fuel guage accuracy, suspension links replaced, noises in stero speakers, noises behind speedometer, security system failure causing failure to start, clutch failure wont shift into first gear in cold weather. With 1.9% interest rate Im still upside down. Do not ever buy a Saturn.

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  Big Mistake - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Christina3110 - June 17 - 3:36 am

  LEMON! This car is nothing but problems. First a head gasket replacement at 24000 miles then the power steering went at 32000 miles and now the front wheel drive is all jacked up. overall a terrible running car with way too many problems for the mileage and year purchased and I only drive to and from work, no hard driving. Very cheap feel to it and not reliable at all. I would love to have my Civic back!!!

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  Best SUV I have ever owned - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By pstrkrk - May 18 - 9:50 pm

  Only thing I dont like is I can only drive it when my wife is asleep or out of town! Plenty of power, Striking color (Laser Blue), comfortable even for large adults, Great sound out of top end stereo. Getting 30+mpg on straight highway driving but only 19-22 around town. Get lots of looks and comments.

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  saturn sucks - 2004 Saturn ION
  By glori970 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  bought a saturn ion in march 2004, never ever again will i purchase or drive a saturn. brand new car with fuel pump issues, catalytic converter problems, engine has a tendency to stall while in motion. when another car hit mine in a parking lot, the quarter panel was literally torn apart. can only be grateful that i had no passengers at the time. car is advertised as being dent-proof, cant prove it by the hail damage sustained. gas guzzler, i got better mpg with a 94 s10.

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  Lemon of a car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By SAnderson - February 18 - 9:30 am

  I bought this car as my first new car. My used Nissan Sentra, that was 12 years old, was beginning to cost me a great deal of money. Now that Ive had this Saturn Ion Coupe of 3.5 years, I should have kept my old Sentra. In 3.5 years, Ive been to the service department more than I care to admit. Its frustrating to buy a new car with so many problems: transmission, starter, etc. I cant wait until I can afford to buy a different, better car.

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  They say I just have buyers remorse - 2007 Saturn ION
  By madcustomer - January 28 - 2:56 am

  This car is & always has been a serious junk. Multiple problems: shifter (possibly clutch) problems, floor heater never worked, doesnt get cool enough for tx summers, horrendous gas mileage, climate control panel gets extremely hot when controls used, screeches when it starts, rattles when idling, major power loss in fifth gear! You cant jump on an interstate in this heap! Warranty you say? No Im just a stupid woman & need to get my foot out of it to shift it. But Ive met several owners with the same issue! Other other warranty work can be done, if I let them dump me out of the service van & left overnight with no transportation.

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  A real LEMON! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Very Uncomfortable - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Poor acceleration, terrible shifting, very uncomfortable seating, drinks gas like water.

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  What a lousy car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Pat - December 26 - 10:23 am

  This car was terrible from the beginning. Bad mileage, never had good pickup, had trouble with rear defroster, headlights, drivers window and now power sunroof, along with having to have transmission rebult for around $2,500 after only 54,240 miles - no help from Saturn either - once the warranty is out they just dont care - and I still owe another 17 months on this car. Trust me I will not be buying another Saturn vehicle nor will anyone I can let know about this vehicle. And American manufacturers wonder why their cars dont measure up to import vehicles. Look at what you are making and selling to the American car buyer!